Skullcandy are no stranger to a wide range of over-ear and in-ear options across a range of price points, but the Crusher 1080 ANC over-ear headphones now stand as their most premium option on the market.
At $399.99, I would certainly consider this a premium pair of headphones, but after using these for a few weeks now, I am inclined to believe that they stack up to much more expensive options like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.
They sound great, provide some impressive ANC capabilities, along with impressive battery life and a comfortable fit. As a result, that aforementioned price tag feels like a bargain.
Design
The Crusher 1080 ANC headphones don’t necessarily stand out compared to most other options at this price point visually, but I would argue they’re totally fine. Available in True Black, Candy (Pink), Primer (Brown/Tan) and Cement (Grey) colours, they’re still a relatively sleek and stylish option that’s comfy on both the ears and head.
The cushioning under the headband feels great, and the leatherette earcups are plush enough, all while isolating enough noise on their own, before the ANC even kicks in. It’s also worth noting that they barely trap any heat after longer use listening sessions, which is a huge bonus.
While the earcups and hinges are plastic, the adjustable metallic headband feels sturdy when you’re popping it over your head, and slides outwards from the top of the headband quite easily.
Around the back of the right earcup, you’ll find a Bluetooth parining/ power button, and a flat button that can be pushed left and right for track selection, and up and down for volume control. It can even be pushed in to activate the Bose TrueSpatial audio, without having to access the companion app on your phone.
Around the back of the left earcup, you’ll find the adjustable Crusher bass wheel, which can be turned upwards or downwards to adjust your bass intensity on the fly. Finally, the switch next to the wheel can be pushed up or down to cycle through custom EQ presets and turn both ANC and SoundStay-Aware Mode on or off. It’s all easy enough to use, and the fact that every button feels different means it’s easy to locate while on your ears.
Finally, I’m a massive fan of how the Crusher 1080 ANC headphones fold inwards for easy storage, while also folding the earcups flat when on a table, for example. It’s a feature that adds plenty of versatility for those travelling or simply carrying them around during the day.
In the box, you’ll also find a handy fabric travel bag, a 3.5mm AUX cable, and a USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable. I feel like a hard case would have helped this feel a little more premium, but I appreciate its inclusion nonetheless.
Performance
The 36mm drivers inside the Crusher 1080 ANC headphones might sound small, but they really do pack a punch. The highs and mids are actually great, as they are Skullcady have seemingly gone to great lengths to partner with Bose for a more curated audio experience. Featuring Bose WaveForm Audio Engine, these headphones simply manage various types of levels across a soundstage for a more accurate and vibrant listening experience.
The adjustable Crusher bass wheel works incredibly well to help bring out or lessen the bass, but I would argue this feels like more of a gimmick for certain songs. It’s great for most EDM tracks, but I dare you to pump this up during a more mellow track, and watch the bass simply overpower everything.
The Bose QuietControl tech includes 6 microphones for some decent ANC that might not best the absoyulte best out there, when comparted to someting like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, but I would like to point out this is in no way a critricism, as those headphones cost almost double the price of the Crusher 1080 ANC headphones, and these are much better than half as good.
If you’re really into ANC functionality, I would always recommend those more expensive options, as they provide the best in-class ANC, but if you’re looking for great value, you’ll certainly find it here.
The Crusher 1080 ANC headphones also include Bose TrueSpatial technology for a slightly wider and more detailed soundstage. Once again, its effectiveness really depends on your song or genre of choice, but it definitely brings a bit more out of the highs and mids.
You’ll also get a whopping 60 hours of battery life with ANC off, but an equally impressive 50 hours with ANC on, which is a rarity. That being said, USB-C charging means you’ll be up and running in no time, including up to 4 hours of playback from a single 10-minute charge.
To round out the package, the Crusher 1080 ANC headphones feature multipoint pairing via Bluetooth 5.3, so that you can connect to one device to listen and another device, like your phone, to take calls, along with the Wear Detect and Auto Off modes, which pause music when you take the headphones off and turn off when inactive for a certain amount of time, respectively.
While noting here feels like the best in its class, I can’t help but focus on the fact that this long list of features bolsters that overall sense of value. Even then, each feature also feels like it outweighs that price point in the process.
Software
The Crusher 1080 ANC headphones are also compatible with the Skullcandy companion app, available on both iOS and Android.
It’s a nicely designed app that essentially allows you to dive in and further customise things like your own EQ presets, as well as access certain features like Bose TrueSpatial audio, ANC, Wear Detect and Auto Off settings.
It’s relatively straightforward, but I appreciate it as a way to help personalise the overall experience.
Verdict & Value
The Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC Headphones are some of the best over-ear headphones I’ve tried at this particular price point.
It’s a great way to break into that premium audio space without breaking the bank, giving you access to fantastic audio and decent ANC.
While the Crusher bass wheel feels like a bit of a gimmick at times, there’s still plenty to love here.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Great audio; Decent ANC; Comfortable fit; Adjustable Crusher wheel is a great idea for certain genres and tracks
Lowlights: Adjustable Crusher bass wheel can be a little too overbearing for certain tracks
Manufacturer: Skullcandy
Price: A$399.99
Available: Now available via the official Skullcandy website.
Review based on unit provided by Skullcandy.
