Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Review: Bass Lovers Rejoice
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is built unapologetically for bass fans. Its signature feature—adjustable sensory bass—delivers an intense low-end thump that few other headphones can match. Combined with strong battery life and deep customization via the Skull-iQ app, the Crusher ANC 2 makes a bold pitch to casual and bass-first listeners.
With up to 50 hours of battery life (with ANC on), personal sound tuning powered by Mimi, multipoint connectivity, and app-based button mapping, it checks a lot of boxes for convenience and personalization. Comfort is solid thanks to plush memory foam pads, though the headset does feel bulky and can fatigue some users over long sessions.
The ANC works well enough for most environments, but it doesn’t challenge top-tier competitors. Likewise, its lack of high-res codec support and slightly heavier weight may turn off audiophiles or those seeking studio-level clarity. Still, for those wanting powerful bass with modern smart features, it delivers a fun, feature-rich experience.
MSRP (when available or best estimate): $229.99
Price: Check Price on Amazon
✅ Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Pros
✅ Adjustable Sensory Bass
Lets users fine-tune bass intensity using a slider, offering everything from subtle rumble to full-on chest-thumping power.
✅ Excellent Battery Life
Up to 50 hours with ANC on and 60+ without, outlasting most competitors by a wide margin.
✅ Comfortable Fit
Soft ear cushions and a padded headband offer a cozy feel during casual or stationary listening.
✅ Highly Customizable Controls
Skull-iQ app allows full remapping of all physical buttons, including access to voice assistants.
✅ Mimi Personal Sound Profile
Adapts audio to your hearing through a hearing test, enhancing clarity and balance.
✅ Multipoint Pairing
Seamlessly switches between two Bluetooth devices without needing to manually reconnect.
✅ Built-In Tile Tracker
Helps locate your headphones if misplaced or left behind.
✅ Voice Control Support
Allows hands-free control with native voice assistant integration.
❌ Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Cons
❌ Bass Can Overpower Mids
When maxed out, the bass tends to overshadow vocals and detail in tracks.
❌ ANC is Just Average
Effective in cutting background hums but less impressive against voices or unpredictable sounds.
❌ Heavier Than Average
At 332g, prolonged wear may be tiring, especially for smaller heads.
❌ No LDAC or aptX Support
Stuck with SBC and AAC, limiting audio quality for high-res listeners.
❌ No Auto-Pause or Auto-Off
Doesn’t stop playback when removed and can stay on until manually powered down.
❌ Build is Bulky for Travel
Doesn’t fold flat and takes up more space in bags than sleeker alternatives.
❌ App Integration is Essential
Many features require the app and don’t work out of the box.
❌ Mediocre Mic Quality
Call clarity is average, especially in windy or crowded environments.
Key AI-Powered Features
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
- Mimi Sound Personalization - AI tailors the EQ to your ears using a hearing profile.
- Voice Control & Skull-iQ Assistant - Offers hands-free control, customizable via app.
- Custom Button Mapping - Machine learning within Skull-iQ app adjusts to frequent use patterns.
- Smart ANC Calibration - Attempts to fine-tune ANC effectiveness based on environment.
How Smart is the AI?
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
The AI in Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 isn’t the smartest on the market, but it brings genuinely helpful features. The standout is Mimi-powered hearing optimization, which adjusts EQ dynamically after testing your ears. It gives the headphones a more tailored sound and helps bring out vocal clarity that’s often lost behind heavy bass.
Voice controls also work well, though they rely on cloud-based services and occasional app permissions. You can trigger actions like volume changes or assistant access with a tap and voice, but they don’t feel as smooth or offline-capable as what Bose or Apple offer.
ANC uses basic environmental scanning to adjust its strength but doesn’t offer full transparency or granular control. It’s more of a set-it-and-forget-it implementation. Still, having smart button mapping and occasional feature updates via app keeps it fresh, even if not groundbreaking. It’s just smart enough to be useful without overwhelming you with complexity.
Performance & User Experience
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
Sound Quality & AI Enhancement
Sound is where the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 draws a line in the sand. The sensory bass slider lets you crank the low end to absurd levels, creating a physical sensation that’s more felt than heard. It’s fun, especially with hip hop or action movies, but also easy to overdo. At high bass levels, mids and highs can get buried, making it hard to enjoy balanced or classical genres.
Mimi Sound Personalization helps with this by boosting mids and treble where your hearing may be weaker. The result is a more articulate sound, but still tailored for casual, dynamic listening. You can manually adjust EQ presets, though options are limited compared to some brands.
Stereo separation and soundstage are decent, with enough space to keep music from feeling closed-in. Overall, it’s a punchy, energetic experience meant to excite rather than analyze. If you value accuracy over fun, look elsewhere—but for movies, gaming, and bass-heavy music, it’s a blast.
ANC Performance & Transparency Mode
ANC is solid but not standout. It knocks out low rumbles like engines or fans effectively but struggles with conversations, clinking dishes, or high-pitched sounds. There’s no transparency mode worth noting, so if you want to hear surroundings, you’ll need to lift an earcup or pause playback.
ANC also lacks depth in customization. There are no adjustable levels or ambient blending modes—just on or off. Still, for daily commutes or work-from-home setups, it’s good enough to help you stay focused.
Leakage is low even at high volumes, which is a plus if you want to crank bass in shared spaces. Passive isolation is decent due to the thick ear cushions, but not tight enough to fully mute background noise.
Battery Life & Comfort
Battery life is a huge win. You get up to 50 hours of playback with ANC, and over 60 without it. That’s among the best in the category. Even with max bass and voice features active, you’ll rarely need to charge more than once a week.
Comfort is good for most head shapes. The ear cups are large, soft, and breathable, and the clamp pressure is moderate. But at 332g, the headset can feel heavy after a couple of hours, especially if you’re moving around. The headband is cushioned but could benefit from weight redistribution.
The headphones charge via USB-C, with fast charge giving about 4 hours of playback from a 10-minute top-up. There’s no wireless charging, but the included cable is sturdy and reliable.
Microphone & Call Quality
Call quality is average. Indoors, your voice comes through clearly enough. Outside, things get muddier. Background sounds often creep into calls, and there’s no advanced wind or noise filtering like on flagship ANC headphones.
Mic placement also picks up ambient noise more readily, making it harder to hold clean conversations on the go. Voice assistant triggers work well, but voice feedback sometimes cuts out mid-command, depending on your phone OS and settings.
Overall, it’s passable for work calls or quick voice notes, but not ideal for extended meetings or busy environments.
Final Verdict
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is a niche product with a bold identity. It’s not trying to be a studio reference headphone—it’s here to deliver maximum bass, long battery life, and smart convenience. For that audience, it excels.
The sensory bass system is a game-changer for people who love deep, chest-pounding sound, and features like multipoint pairing, Tile tracking, and Mimi personalization make it far more versatile than earlier Skullcandy efforts. That said, if you’re an audiophile, commute in noisy places, or need crystal-clear calls, its flaws will be noticeable.
It’s a solid recommendation for casual users, bass lovers, and gamers who want something fun, bold, and packed with features. Just know what you’re buying—and enjoy the rumble.
Additional Information
This review is based on research, expert analysis, and user feedback. AI Reviews HQ does not conduct hands-on product testing. We may earn a commission from the links in this review. We do our best to provide accurate product details, however AI is not perfect and may make some mistakes in research. Please double-check with the manufacturer or retailer before purchasing. Check out the product page