Skullcandy Skullcrushers Headphones

Reviews: Multimedia

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
Skullcandy
Mar. 7, 2005

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Introduction

Skullcandy. Undoubtedly one of the coolest company names I've encountered. They also happened to have one of the more intriguing booths at CES 2005. Skullcandy is all about punk rock and snowboarding, techno, rap and skaters!but they don't sell a single skate or snowboard. However, they do aim squarely for the X-Game demographic, the unlikely tech geek who spends more time on a half-pipe than fragging online. Featuring snowboarding helmets with integrated headphones and a line of apparel more likely to be worn by Jesse James than Bill Gates; Skullcandy is one of the few companies that actually got the "Xtreme" marketing ploy right the first time.

Today we'll have a look at Skullcandy's answer to noise canceling headphones, the Skullcrushers. Do these headphones have sophisticated active noise canceling features? No. Do they cater to the executive traveler who despises coach and prefers to sip mixed drinks in first class? No. Do they drown out background noise with a healthy dose of bass rumbling and sheer over-powering volume? You're damn right.

First Looks

Right away I noticed that these headphones don't fit the standard of previous headsets I've reviewed. The Skullcandy logos emblazoned on the headband and ear cups are a major tip off that these headphones weren't meant for easy listening. And what a logo, by the way - I love skulls.

Extracting the neatly folded headset from its plastic cocoon is easy and demonstrates the relatively small amount of space these full size headphones inhabit. Lightweight and portable, they'd be an ideal headset for those of us who live out of a backpack.

Included with the headset are a vinyl protective carrying pouch, one AA battery, a 1/4" plug adapter and a two-prong airline plug adapter. This adapter is a nice touch that many manufacturers are starting to include with their headsets. I hate paying $5 to use the crappy airline headphones that come wrapped in a plastic bag. The Skullcrushers cord is about 5 feet long, so you should have no problems reaching your music source. Near the plug end of the cord, you will find the "Bass Amplifier Subwoofer" control - which is really just a fancy name for the bass level adjustment. After installing the AA battery, you can turn on the amplifier via a small switch and adjust the level of bass output with the wheel!which Skullcandy has labeled a "vibration" control. You'll understand why after you put them on.

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Page 1: Introduction & First Looks
Page 2: Testing
Page 3: Conclusion

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15 User Comments

1 - Posted by NO TACT on March 9, 2005 - 11:45 am

Very impressive. Cool name. I need to win some. Where is my review set?

Volume loud? Yes please!

2 - Posted by Guest on August 27, 2005 - 10:40 am

I completely agree with the review, I enjoy these headphones, but i have to say the mid's & top definition does stop them being an outstanding pair of phones. If you want clear defined sound look elsewhere, these are just about bass. They do indeed rattle your head & ear drums.

3 - Posted by Guest on September 1, 2005 - 1:48 am

If you love bass you'll love these. I found the sound quality excellent and my ears are ringin.

4 - Posted by studioace on January 17, 2007 - 3:17 am

These things are the nuts! I think they sound Great. You just got to set the bass sub right for the proper mix between lows and highs. Mids and highs are there buddy.

5 - Posted by ddavis66 on July 26, 2007 - 2:16 pm

I had always heard good things concerning Skull Candy products and also read MANY great product reviews as well as satisfied customers comments, however my experience with both products and company leave me to feel this is a definite one to leave behind. Christmas 06 I bought Smokin Buds and Skull Crushers for my 16 year old son as presents, shortly after ( about 5 months ) the buds were only playing from one side and the hinge on the skull crushers were broken and no longer work. After calling the company 3 times concerning warranty, sending 6 emails, I have had no confirmation and no warranty replacement on either products. The last time, I called in and spoke directly with Brandon, who told me email issues concerning the warranty@skullcandy.com may not be getting through and told me to email him directly. This was again 2 weeks ago and no email, no RMA information. I may be that one statistic in one thousand with this problem. But for my money next time around,,it will be better spent elsewhere.

Disappointed,,

Dan Davis
Iowa
dan.davis@mchsi.com

6 - Posted by Kurtis on July 26, 2007 - 2:43 pm

Sorry to hear about your bad experience, Dan. Thanks for sharing, though.

7 - Posted by handrail on July 27, 2007 - 11:18 am

i wondered when i did that review if those plastic hinges would hold up. i liked the headphones, but they weren't of the highest quality construction, as i mentioned in the review.

sorry you're getting the runaround from skullcandy, man.

brad.

8 - Posted by tag dog on September 5, 2007 - 12:10 am

ward out they rock the socks of the red socks

9 - Posted by Elmo on September 26, 2007 - 11:12 pm

Yea, had the same problem with the Bud's.

Not once or twice, mind, but three times! And always one of the buds stops working. Its only the great sound quality that brings my back.

Am buying some Skullcrushers this time, hopefully they'll be better.

10 - Posted by judixon07@sprintpcs.com on October 24, 2007 - 9:06 pm

Hey skull crushers i just want u 2 know that your product didnt live up 2 my standers and your green headphones are as bad the country they were made in and i work 2 hard 4 my money 2 be throwing it away on your bullshit product!

11 - Posted by capers on September 2, 2008 - 5:15 pm

great sound, great noise blocking (like weaking ear plugs when they are off). Broke after 2 months of use, which made me question the $40 price tag for buds.

12 - Posted by carpers on September 18, 2008 - 1:26 pm

skullcandy earbuds are some of the best earbuds i have ever bought. mine just ended up going through the wash and still work just as good as when i bought them. definitely buying skullcandy from now on

13 - Posted by Ravzz on October 11, 2008 - 7:46 pm

yep gotta agree wid studioace the highs and lows and mids are there but u just have to set ur eq rite i had da same problem in the beginning but after messing ROUND WITH MY EQ I GOT IT PERFECT great pair of cans but do feel a bit flimsy feel sorry for dan but i think it all comes down to how much care you take go for senhisers next time every single one is very durable and sound great

14 - Posted by tony-da-tiger on November 13, 2008 - 9:43 am

sound great, although every single time I take them off after using them I have one major headache...

15 - Posted by Kurtis on November 13, 2008 - 11:31 am

They don't call em SkullCRUSHERS for nothin'. :-D

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