Skullcandy Hesh headphones assessment: An on a regular basis overachiever

The Skullcandy web site actually lays on hyperbole in the case of its headphones. “Higher than 98% of fancy-a** noise-canceling headphones on the market” screams a promoted person assessment of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones that’s as daring as it’s, nicely, bolded. “Finest headphone beneath $100. Interval.” says one other distinguished purchaser’s seal of approval, this time for the Skullcandy Hesh Evo. Judging primarily based solely on sound high quality, each the Skullcandy wi-fi headphones fall in need of the hype in comparison with elite competitors. Judging these Bluetooth headphones by efficiency for the value greater than premium precision, nonetheless, the Skullcandy Hesh line undoubtedly doesn’t disappoint. We examined each the Hesh ANC and the Hesh Evo and located them to be over-the-ear headphones that received’t work for audiophiles and energy customers, however will certainly deal with enterprise for on a regular basis listeners. Let’s look previous the caps-lock-style statements and see what these Skullcandy headphones truly supply.

What are the Skullcandy Hesh headphones? 

Skullcandy isn’t new to reasonably priced audio. That is the corporate behind the unapologetically low cost Dime earbuds (reviewed right here), which ship a far more than acceptable sound for an distinctive sub-$25 worth. Promoting for nearly $200 lower than many energetic noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones—such because the “fancy-a**” Sony WH-1000XM4 (reviewed right here)—the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Evo purpose to be an equal to the Dime (and its huge huge brother the Indy ANC) by punching nicely above their worth level. However even Skullcandy’s personal Crusher ANC wi-fi headphones are considerably costlier, so what do the Hesh ANC and Hesh Evo carry to the desk and depart on the door?

The Skullcandy Hesh headphones’ design 

The first place the Skullcandy Hesh line falls in need of the exclamations is that superior sound. Sure, the Hesh ANC options the identical 40mm drivers and 20 Hz-20 kHz frequency vary as its older Crusher cousin. However measurement isn’t all the pieces. The Sony WH-1000XM4 additionally has 40mm drivers however can reproduce tones as much as 40 kHz (and extensively tailor its response by an in depth app). The Hesh ANC provides a sensitivity of solely 99.63dB, in comparison with the Crusher’s—and Sony’s—105dB. The Hesh Evo provides simply 91.3dB. Plus, the Crusher limits the whole harmonic distortion to lower than 1 p.c, whereas the Skullcandy Hesh ANC expands that to three p.c. Press that quantity and also you’re faster to succeed in distortion (not that it is best to try to succeed in wherever close to max sound stress ranges). As well as, the Crusher headphones are suitable with the Skullcandy app’s customizable sound options, together with the flexibility to create a person EQ mix. Spending extra will get you a pair of wi-fi headphones with expansive sound and personalization choices that higher replicate the unique recording and/or the way you wish to hear it. 

Nonetheless, the Skullcandy Hesh are well-designed headphones with rather a lot to love. Weighing 226 grams for the ANC and 213 grams for the Evo, the Skullcandy Hesh headphones are light-weight and have a noise-isolating match because of snug—albeit skinny—padding across the ears and on prime of the pinnacle. (Examine the burden to 254 grams for the Sony and greater than 308 grams for the Crusher set.) The Hesh headphones characteristic a flat-folding, collapsible design, however solely a journey bag (no onerous storage case). The Hesh ANC is out there in “Mod White,” True Black,” and “Chill Gray,” whereas the Hesh Evo is in gray, black, and a blue with pink and gold accents. The wi-fi headphones cost through an included USB-C cable, and so they additionally include a 3.5mm aux wire, in case you wish to hearken to gadgets that don’t assist Bluetooth 5.0. 

The underside line on these wi-fi headphones is that when you’ve got an acutely tuned ear, the Skullcandy Hesh line in all probability received’t topple top-of-the-line fashions. However for those who’re in search of an reasonably priced, light-weight pair of Bluetooth over-ear headphones which can be simple to make use of, the Skullcandy Hesh headphones are method above the imply. 

Establishing Skullcandy Hesh headphones

4 buttons on the correct earcup provide you with full management over tracks, calls, and quantity with out ever touching your cellphone. To begin the pairing course of, press the highest “O” button for one second. Then open the Bluetooth settings in your cellphone, click on on the now-discoverable Skullcandy Hesh headphones and begin listening. As Skullcandy’s directions level out, it’s as simple as one, two, three. 

The controls themselves are equally easy to make use of. Nevertheless, as a result of all 4 buttons are oriented in a single line, I by accident hit the unsuitable one sufficient instances to consciously really feel from the highest down till I grew to become extra oriented to the structure. The plus signal turns the quantity up with one push and advances tracks by urgent and holding. The detrimental signal does the alternative with the identical actions. In the meantime, the center button is your energy button, pause button, and connection to your digital assistant or to reply a name. And on the Hesh ANC, that prime “O” button not solely allows you to pair a brand new gadget, nevertheless it switches between ANC and Ambient Mode.    

Key options of the Skullcandy Hesh headphones

So Skullcandy Hesh headphones aren’t large killers, however they greater than ship within the $100-$150 class.     

A sound funding

Total, the Skullcandy Hesh headphones produce stable sound. The ANC does supply elevated isolation and a extra immersive expertise than the Evo, however I couldn’t in any other case detect an enormous sonic distinction, regardless of the slight distinction in decibel output. The sound profile skewed towards a brighter treble than equal headsets I’ve examined. So whereas there was pleasurable bass, the sound was properly balanced and detailed. As an example, the tambourine chimed crisply within the Counting Crows’ “Mr. Jones” and the piano struck the correct notes for me in Dave Matthews Band’s “Mercy.” When watching video wirelessly, lag was undetectable. Whereas watching a baseball sport, I discovered the ball clapped towards the catcher’s mitt and cracked off the bat satisfying as I noticed the motion on my display screen.

Don’t sweat the match …  

I wore the Skullcandy Hesh headphones throughout a three-hour challenge staining the deck in 90-degree warmth. If that wasn’t sufficient to show their consolation, I don’t know what can be. Sure, I switched backwards and forwards between the pairs as a result of I needed to match the sound high quality, however outdoors of some seconds between pairs I used to be sporting the headphones for the length and by no means felt the need to take them off or alter them. In fact, the froth ear covers had pooled sweat round them every time I modified units, however days later they have been no worse for the wear and tear. The plastic arc connecting the 2 headphones can lengthen by an inch on either side, and the froth on the underside of the arch holds the headphones in place and gives good padding in your head.

Time to play

The Skullcandy Hesh fashions have sufficient battery life to observe films or to sport all day. The Hesh ANC can final 22 hours with noise cancellation energetic, whereas the Evo can last as long as 36 hours. For comparability, the Skullcandy Crusher lasts as much as 24 hours (and the Sony WH-1000XM4 can run for 30 hours with noise canceling on). The Skullcandy Hesh headphones additionally supply speedy charging, which gives three hours of listening with simply 10 minutes of USB-C plug-in time.  

I wanna be like mic

Onboard in-line microphones within the Skullcandy Hesh Bluetooth headphones allow you to reply calls or discuss to your digital assistant. Siri appropriately reported the temperature and the NY Jets’ upcoming preseason opponent—although she did take some time to reply. I’d blame my wi-fi pace, however I haven’t skilled the same delay with different headsets I’ve examined, together with the Skullcandy Indy ANC earbuds. 

Whereas staining the deck, I spent about 20 minutes on the cellphone with my finest buddy. I by no means instructed him I used to be utilizing headphones and he by no means appeared to have hassle listening to what I used to be saying, laughing in any respect the suitable instances. We’d as nicely have been in the identical place, although then I might have had assist with the deck. Who’s laughing now, sigh…

The Hesh ANC’s 4 mics are additionally used to select up exterior noise in order that the cancellation algorithm can analyze and negate it. And it was efficient, letting me do some work in the identical room the place my 3.5-year-old daughter watched a “Chip and Potato” cartoon. And once I wore the ANC set whereas staining that deck I converted to Ambient Mode, which mixes environmental sound in along with your audio playback, and had no downside listening to when my neighbor referred to as to me from over the fence. Actually, until you discover that characteristic useful, or know that you just’ll be in a very noisy commuting/work surroundings, lower your expenses and go for the Evo. You get practically similar sound high quality and each fashions characteristic a noise-isolating match that does a pleasant job of passively muting your environment. 

So, who can buy the Skullcandy Hesh headphones?  

If you would like the perfect wi-fi headphones for your greenback, however not prime greenback, it is best to take into account these Skullcandies. The perfect Bluetooth headphones will supply superior sound with customized choices. At the same worth level to the Skullcandy Hesh line, the Soundcore Q30 Hybrid Energetic Noise Cancelling Headphones supply a number of the personalization options discovered within the Crusher, and so on. However the bendable, reliable Skullcandy Hesh headphones delivered on the promise of energetic sound at an inclusive worth. They will not be “fancy-a**” however I fancied them.