Skullcandy Crusher Evo vs Skullcandy Crusher ANC: Which should you buy?
Skullcandy wireless headphones are excellent devices, including the Crusher series, which includes the Crusher ANC and the Crusher Evo. Both have haptic feedback and Tile trackers inside — but they also differ in several ways. Which one of these makes sense to you? Here's how to tell.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC headphones have active noise-canceling technology to make listening more immersive. To further enhance how the Crusher ANC sound, users can connect to Skullcandy's app and, from there, customize the actual sound they hear — personalizing the playback to someone's audio needs and preferences. The app lets you create multiple sound profiles, so if you want to share the headphones with others, you can.
Crusher ANC also has optional haptic feedback while they play. That means you can feel vibrations during heavy bass, enhancing what you're watching, like an action movie. (And yes, you can turn this feature off too.)
As for battery life, these hold 24 hours of charge and can also be rapidly charged. You also get a Tile tracker inside, which means you can locate these when they're connected to Bluetooth.
Originally priced at $320 when they launched, you can now pick the Crusher ANC up for $318.99, and there are three color options, including red, black, and a black/tan combination.
Skullcandy Crusher Evo
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones, like the Crusher ANC, have Tile trackers packed inside, allowing you to find them if they're connected to Bluetooth. And also, like the ANC headphones, you can connect these to the Skullcandy app and create a personalized sound profile for your hearing.
However, we found an issue with the app regarding the Evo, where the sound actually came across more poorly after creating a sound profile. Once disconnected, the sound was excellent — and synced with movies even better with the Evo than the ANC.
But like the ANC headphones, you can also experience haptic feedback with the Crusher Evo headphones, which vibrate when playing heavy bass or using them at louder volumes. This is an optional feature, and you can turn it off.
Battery life is actually better on the Crusher Evo, almost doubling what you get with the ANC's going from 24 hours on one charge to 40 hours — a substantial increase.
But you do not get active noise canceling, or ANC, with the Crusher Evo, and — this is a small thing — you don't get a hard-shelled carrying case that comes with the Crusher ANC.
Then again, the Skullcandy Crusher Evo is a bit more affordable. They, too, had had a price drop, from $199.99 when they launched to just $144.99 now. You can pick these up in grey and black.
Which should you buy?
We tested and reviewed both pairs of headphones and think they're both good options in terms of sound quality and the fact they include Tile Trackers, plus haptic feedback — fun for watching movies and gaming.
Why then spend another $50 on the Skullcandy Crusher ANC? If you're looking for a pair of headphones with active noise canceling, then this would be a reason to select the ANC headphones, as too the nice carrying case that comes with this pair.
But if ANC is not something you need, we think the Crusher Evo is an excellent-sounding pair of headphones with a solid Bluetooth connection and additional features that mirror the Crusher ANC but at a lower price. The choice, as always, is yours to make.
And don't forget to use The GearBrain, our product find engine for smart devices. It can help you find, buy and connect any smart device, including headphones compatible with your mobile devices.
