Sound That Shakes: The Headphones That Let You Feel Every Beat

If you’re a fan of immersive audio experiences, Skullcandy has long been a brand to watch. Known for their bold sound signature and bass-forward tuning, they’ve consistently delivered headphones that appeal to bass lovers and casual listeners alike. With the Crusher ANC 2, it takes things up a notch, combining adjustable sensory bass, personalized sound tuning, and advanced active noise cancellation—all in a sleek, wireless package.

Whether you’re a longtime Crusher fan or new to the series, offers a refined experience that competes with premium headphones at a more approachable price. In this in-depth review, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these feature-packed headphones.

Overview: What Is the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2?

This is the successor to the original Crusher ANC, released in 2019. While retaining the brand’s signature adjustable haptic bass, the second generation introduces major improvements in:

• Noise cancellation

• Battery life

• Personal Sound by Mimi

• Customizable controls

• Multipoint pairing

• Voice assistants and Tile tracking

This is Skullcandy’s flagship headphone, designed to blend booming bass with smart tech and long-lasting comfort.

Design and Build: Sleek and Subtle

At first glance, it looks more refined than its predecessor. It has moved away from flashy colors and opted for a more minimalist, matte finish.

• Build: Mostly plastic with soft-touch ear cups and headband padding

• Colors: Black, Bone (off-white), and limited editions

• Weight: About 323 grams (light for over-ear ANC headphones)

• Portability: Foldable with included travel case

The ear cups rotate for a more compact fold, and the memory foam padding ensures comfort over long listening sessions. Also redesigned the buttons to offer tactile feedback while keeping things intuitive.

Key Features

1. Adjustable Sensory Bass

What sets  apart is the slider on the left ear cup that lets you control the intensity of the bass. This isn’t your average EQ adjustment—it’s haptic bass, which means the headphones literally vibrate with the beat.

• Want subtle lows for a podcast? Turn it down.

• Want to feel like you’re in the front row at a concert? Crank it up.

No other headphones in this price range offer this type of tactile audio experience.

2. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

It has stepped up its ANC game in the Crusher ANC 2. You now get adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts based on your environment, reducing ambient noise from traffic, crowds, or office chatter.

While it may not quite match Bose or Sony at the top end, the ANC is very effective—especially paired with music playback, where the powerful bass further isolates you from the world.

3. Personal Sound by Mimi

In collaboration with Mimi Hearing Technologies, includes a hearing test in the Skullcandy app that creates a personalized sound profile. The result is a clearer, more balanced listening experience tailored to your unique hearing abilities.

This feature is a game-changer for people with slight hearing variations or for those who want more accurate mids and highs without sacrificing the signature Skullcandy bass.

4. Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is another standout feature:

• Up to 50 hours with ANC off

• Up to 40 hours with ANC on

• Rapid Charge: 10 minutes = 4 hours of playback

Few wireless ANC headphones offer this kind of battery performance. USB-C fast charging makes it easy to top off during short breaks or travel layovers.

5. Smart Features

• Customizable controls via the Skullcandy app

• Voice assistant integration (Siri, Google Assistant)

• Multipoint pairing: Connect to two devices at once (e.g., laptop + phone)

• Built-in Tile tracking: Locate your headphones if you misplace them

These extras make the Crusher ANC 2 a much more versatile daily companion than just a music accessory.

Sound Quality: More Than Just Bass

While bass is the Crusher ANC 2’s headline feature, it’s far from a one-trick pony.

Bass

• Adjustable haptic bass is the showstopper

• Deep, resonant, and vibrational at high levels

• Feels immersive for EDM, hip-hop, action movies, or gaming

Mids and Highs

Thanks to the Mimi tuning, vocals and instrumentals are clearer and more defined than in earlier Crusher models. You still get the Skullcandy “V-shaped” sound signature—emphasized bass and treble—but with more balance.

Soundstage

The soundstage isn’t audiophile-level wide, but it’s surprisingly immersive for closed-back wireless headphones. With bass dialed back, the detail and separation become more noticeable.

ANC and Ambient Mode Performance

Implementation blocks out most low-frequency hums (airplanes, engines) and does a decent job with voices and midrange noise.

• ANC Performance: 7.5/10 (good for price range)

• Ambient/Transparency Mode: Lets in external sound clearly for conversations or crossing streets

• Wind Noise Reduction: Works decently outdoors

While not quite at the level of Bose QuietComfort or Sony WH-1000XM5, it’s more than enough for commuting, working, or studying.

App Experience

The Skullcandy app (iOS & Android) adds real functionality:

• Sound personalization

• EQ presets and custom settings

• ANC/ambient mode toggle

• Button remapping

• Tile tracking and firmware updates

The app is user-friendly and significantly enhances the experience for tech-savvy users.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• Incredible bass customization

• Long battery life (up to 50 hrs)

• Strong ANC performance

• Comfortable for long use

• Tile integration for tracking

• Custom sound tuning with Mimi

• Multipoint connectivity

❌ Cons

• Bass at full intensity can overpower mids

• No aptX HD or LDAC codec (limited to SBC/AAC)

• ANC not quite top-tier (vs. Sony/Bose)

• Plastic build feels less premium than some competitors

Comparison: Crusher ANC 2 vs. Competitors

Verdict: For bass lovers and long battery life seekers, the Crusher ANC 2 punches well above its price class—especially compared to more expensive alternatives.

Who Should Buy the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2?

This is perfect for:

• Bass lovers who want a physical, customizable low-end experience

• Travelers and commuters who need long battery life and solid ANC

• Gamers and movie fans looking for immersive audio

• Users who dislike subscription features but want sound personalization

• People prone to misplacing gear, thanks to built-in Tile tracking

It’s less ideal for:

• Audiophiles seeking ultra-flat tuning or high-resolution codecs

• Users looking for ultra-premium build materials

• Those prioritizing mic quality for calls (it’s decent, but not best-in-class)

Final Thoughts

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 delivers on its promise: powerful, adjustable bass in a smarter, more refined package. With great battery life, solid noise cancellation, and personalized sound, it offers a well-rounded experience at a price that undercuts many flagship models.

If you’re looking for a pair of wireless ANC headphones that feel as good as they sound, and you want to literally feel the bass in your chest.