Skullcandy Skullcrushers Headphones

Reviews: Multimedia

Author:
Editor:
Sponsor:
Published:

Bradford Day
Kurtis
Skullcandy
Mar. 7, 2005

<< Previous

Next >>

Testing

These headphones are pretty lightweight for their size. This low mass translates to more comfort when your head is squeezed between them. I found these headphones to be well padded and very comfortable to wear for their larger size. The entire headband unit is made of plastic as are the folding hinges. While this helps keep weight to a minimum, it does bring into question their level of durability. A metal headband would allow for more resilient flexing and custom adjustment for larger sized noggins, but would limit the origami-like folding capabilities of this headset.

From their descriptions, Skullcandy seems pretty proud of the bass these puppies can kick out. So naturally I initiated my musical testing with my favorite low-end laden music, the Beastie Boys. All I can say is "woooooo!" I have never felt such bass vibration from a set of headphones. That vibration control I mentioned above is aptly named. Listening to heavy bass lines at the full-on vibration setting is similar to what I would imagine riding in Eminem's Escalade is like. You can feel the small drivers leaping to and fro inside the ear cups.

For further testing I also listened to: THX - Deepest Bass demo, Gogol Bordello vs. Tamir Muskat - J.U.F, various of techno MP3s, Flogging Molly, Double Dagger, Social Distortion, and uncountable other Punk MP3s, Drum and Bass, Jungle and Turn Table tracks.

Overall the sound quality is pretty good for rap and techno or other bass-heavy music. I must also add that it is quite fun to feel the music as well as listen to it. I can't recall enjoying rap as much as I do when listening to it on a pair of Skullcrushers!and I generally despise rap. However there are some drawbacks. For instance, smaller MP3 players may not have the power to throw at these headphones. I noticed sloppier bass at higher volumes when I listened to music on my JetAudio iAudio4 flash-based MP3 player powered by one AAA battery. An iPod may push a bit more quality sound through, but alas, I don't own one.

I wouldn't recommend these headphones for rock or punk music, unfortunately. The bass response is almost too overpowering and the guitars are generally weak. Mid-range frequencies suffer a little on these headphones, not horribly, but noticeably. Turning the "vibration" control down does help, but in doing so you remove the fun from this toy. Surprisingly I found the treble response to be quite adequate.

While Skullcandy boasts that the Skullcrushers are "the ultimate for any Gamer," I would tend to disagree. They did significantly rock in Need for Speed Underground 2 but I was less impressed with first person shooter games. Explosions, gunshots and helicopters sound (and feel) amazing, but some subtleties are lost in the mix of mid-range confusion. The revving engines, dare-devil crashes and rap soundtrack made NFSU 2 the best overall gaming experience I encountered with the Skullcrushers.

Similarly, DVD movie sound response was varied. I watched a few scenes from The Matrix. Gunshots and explosions echo with rumbly goodness, but dialogue is at times muffled. Although, generally I was impressed with their performance and most sounds were loud and clear. I would be delighted to have a pair of Skullcrushers with me on my next long airline trip. The sheer volume that these can produce is enough to drown out crying babies and snoring seat mates.

<< Previous

Page 2 of 3

Next >>

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

Subscribe to Headphones [more info]

Add Comment

12 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

Add Comment

To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields.