I’ve tried many headphones with strong bass, but none have taken it to the rumbling lows of the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2, with convenient hands-own controls and active noise-canceling (ANC) features. The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is $139.88 (originally $229.99), their lowest price yet, according to price-tracking tools.
The first time I got in one of those bass-rumbling cars that felt like the windows were going to shatter, I had a new appreciation for the power of bass in music. There is an important distinction, though. You can’t just turn up the bass in your EQ settings and have great bass; you need the right speakers or headphones. It’s an art, and the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 gets it right. I’ve had them for a couple of months and they’re my fun go-to headphones when I want to feel like I’m at a concert.
Although these headphones have ANC in their title (the ANC is just average), they’re all about the “Crusher” feature. It is a bass enhancer that shoots up the bass along to make a unique sound signature that makes me feel like I’m experiencing the music live. The headphones also have a convenient wheel that you can turn to increase or decrease the bass.
The headphones also have an “aware” mode that you can use to hear your surroundings so you don’t have to take your headphones off, although for my safety, I’d still rather take them off if I need to hear my surroundings. They’re stylish and feel like premium headphones. They are very comfortable and have a well-designed app with customizable controls, EQ options, and features for voice assistance. The battery life is an impressive 60 hours depending on use, and they have a stereo 3.5mm jack if you don’t want to depend on your battery.
For $139.88, the Crusher ANC 2 are a great value, but they’re not for everyone. If you’re a stickler looking for a perfectly balanced sound, consider the Bose QuietComfort which is also discounted right now—but if you want bass, the Crusher ANC 2 is it.
