Introduction

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones in Plasma are aimed squarely at listeners who want bass they can feel, not just hear. They blend Skullcandy’s trademark haptic-style "Crusher" bass with active noise cancelling (ANC), long battery life, and app-driven customization. Rather than chasing audiophile neutrality, the Crusher ANC 2 focus on fun, high-impact listening for music, movies, and gaming.

This review evaluates how the Crusher ANC 2 perform in real-world use, from sound quality and ANC to comfort, controls, and battery life, to help determine whether they’re a good fit for your needs.

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Product overview and key features

Design and build

• Over-ear, closed-back design: Circumaural earcups that fully surround the ear and help passively block outside noise.
• Plasma colorway: A bold, stylized finish that stands out more than generic black; it targets users who like their headphones to double as a fashion statement.
• Foldable and portable: The earcups fold inward for easier storage in a bag or case.
• Integrated controls: Physical buttons and a dedicated Crusher Bass slider on the earcups for quick access without digging into menus.

Overall, the build is typical Skullcandy: mostly plastic but reasonably solid, with emphasis on style and comfort rather than ultra-premium materials.

Connectivity and app support

• Wireless Bluetooth connection for iPhone, Android, laptops, and tablets.
• Skull-iQ / Skullcandy app integration (availability may vary by region and firmware):
  • Adjust Crusher Bass intensity and ANC level.
  • Create a Personal Sound profile using a quick hearing test.
  • Fine-tune custom EQ.
  • Optionally assign or tweak button functions and access some voice features.

The app is a major part of the Crusher ANC 2 experience: it lets you tame the exaggerated low end, tailor the sound to your hearing, and experiment with different modes.

Multi-sensory Crusher Bass

The headline feature is Skullcandy’s adjustable sensory bass:

• A hardware bass slider controls how intense the low-frequency effect is.
• At lower settings, you get an elevated but more traditional bass boost.
• At higher settings, the bass becomes physical, introducing a vibrating sensation that can feel like sitting near a subwoofer.

This system is polarizing. If you enjoy chest-thumping bass in hip-hop, EDM, and action movies, the Crusher ANC 2 deliver a uniquely fun experience. If you prefer a balanced, reference-type sound, you may want to keep the slider very low or look elsewhere.

Active Noise Cancelling and Stay-Aware modes

• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) works alongside the passive isolation of the over-ear design to reduce low-frequency background noise (airplanes, public transit, HVAC).
• A Stay-Aware / transparency mode lets in outside sound, helpful for quick conversations or maintaining awareness when walking outdoors.

The ANC here tends to be serviceable rather than class-leading. It’s good enough for commuting and office use, but not on the same level as premium ANC models from top noise-cancelling brands. Some users also note that very strong Crusher Bass combined with ANC can slightly color the sound, so you may need to experiment with different settings.

Battery life and charging

• Up to 60 hours of listening on a single charge in ideal conditions.
• Even with ANC enabled, battery life remains high by category standards.
• Fast charging is supported, providing several hours of playback from a short top-up (for example, a brief 10-minute charge can give multiple hours of use, depending on volume and features).

For frequent travelers or all-day listeners, this extended battery life is a major selling point. Running out of power is unlikely if you charge regularly.

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Performance and user experience

Sound quality

The Crusher ANC 2 are tuned with entertainment in mind:

• Bass: Dominant, powerful, and adjustable. With the slider turned up, sub-bass impact is immense and can overshadow the rest of the spectrum. With the slider near minimum and some EQ tweaks in the app, bass can be reined in to a more moderate, punchy profile.
• Mids: Vocals and instruments are generally clear enough for casual listening, but midrange detail can be pushed back if the bass slider is set high. Pop, rock, and podcasts are best enjoyed with the bass at modest levels.
• Treble: Slightly elevated to counterbalance the strong bass. It can provide a sense of clarity and air, but at very high volumes or with bright recordings, some listeners may find it a bit sharp.

These headphones excel at fun, cinematic sound. They’re great for:

• Bass-heavy music (hip-hop, EDM, trap, pop).
• Movie soundtracks and action scenes where explosions and low rumbles are key.
• Games where immersive low-end impact heightens the experience.

If your priority is neutral, analytical listening for mixing or critical evaluation, the Crusher ANC 2 are not the ideal tool, even with EQ.

Active Noise Cancelling performance

In everyday scenarios like commuting, open offices, or coffee shops:

• Low-frequency noise (engine hum, A/C, distant traffic) is noticeably reduced.
• Mid and high-frequency sounds (nearby conversations, keyboard clicks) are attenuated but not eliminated.

Compared with top-tier ANC flagships, the Crusher ANC 2 deliver a middle-of-the-pack noise cancelling performance. They’re sufficient to make environments feel quieter and music more immersive, particularly when the strong bass further masks background sound, but they don’t completely isolate you from the world.

Some owners also report that combining very high Crusher Bass settings with ANC can subtly affect clarity. Keeping the slider at moderate levels usually yields a better balance between isolation and sound quality.

Comfort and fit

• Padded headband and cushioned earcups provide a comfortable seal for most head shapes.
• Clamping force is firm enough to feel secure without being overly tight for the average user.
• Over-ear pads distribute pressure and help maintain stability when moving around.

For long listening sessions, they tend to be more comfortable than some earlier Crusher models. That said, people who are highly sensitive to weight or clamp may still feel some fatigue after several hours, as with most over-ear ANC headphones.

Controls, calls, and everyday usability

• Physical buttons make it easy to play/pause, adjust volume, and toggle ANC/stay-aware modes without looking.
• The Crusher Bass slider offers immediate tactile feedback for on-the-fly adjustment.
• The built-in microphone is adequate for phone calls, voice chats, and virtual meetings. Voices are generally intelligible, though not as pristine as dedicated office headsets.
• Bluetooth connection stability is usually solid with modern phones and laptops when within standard indoor range.

The Skullcandy app adds more fine-grained control but isn’t strictly required once you’ve set up your preferred sound profile and EQ.

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Unique, adjustable Crusher Bass that delivers a genuinely physical low-end experience.
• Long battery life, with up to around 60 hours of playback under ideal conditions.
• Active Noise Cancelling that’s effective enough for daily commuting and office environments.
• Personal Sound and EQ via the app, allowing customization for different genres and hearing preferences.
• Comfortable over-ear fit with decent passive isolation.
• Stylish Plasma colorway for users wanting something more expressive than plain black.
• Physical controls and bass slider for intuitive on-headphone operation.

Cons

• Sound signature is heavily bass-focused; even at low slider settings, it may be too warm for neutrality-focused listeners.
• ANC performance is good but not best-in-class, especially compared to premium flagship models.
• Strong bass combined with ANC can slightly color the sound and reduce perceived clarity.
• Plastic-heavy build, which is practical but lacks the premium metal or leather feel of higher-end competitors.
• App reliance for full feature access may be inconvenient if you prefer a purely hardware-based experience.

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Conclusion and recommendation

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones in Plasma are designed for listeners who want maximum bass impact, long battery life, and a fun, customizable sound, rather than studio-grade accuracy. Their adjustable Crusher Bass, decent ANC, and extensive app controls make them a compelling choice for bass lovers who enjoy tailoring their listening experience.

They are especially well-suited if you:

• Primarily listen to bass-heavy genres and want a subwoofer-like experience.
• Need long battery life for travel, commuting, or all-day listening.
• Appreciate the option to adjust both bass intensity and EQ in an app.
• Prefer a bold, expressive aesthetic like the Plasma colorway.

On the other hand, if your priorities are reference-level neutrality or class-leading ANC, you may be happier with more balanced, noise-cancelling-focused alternatives.

For their intended audience—listeners who value immersive, high-energy sound and customization—the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 offer strong value and a distinctive listening experience, especially when you take into account their overall feature set at around $149.99 on Amazon.