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Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
Over-Ear Wireless ANC

Skullcandy

Crusher ANC 2

Unrivaled haptic bass for enthusiasts, but the noise cancellation is a mere afterthought.

2023Updated Jul 2026

At a Glance

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is a specialized tool for bass-heads who prioritize physical vibration over acoustic transparency. If you want your skull to rattle during action movies or EDM tracks, no other consumer headset provides this level of haptic intensity.

However, do not purchase these for travel or office use if you require silence. The active noise cancellation is objectively weak compared to Sony or Bose, and the sound profile remains muddy and compressed for anyone seeking audiophile-grade clarity.

Pros
  • Industry-leading haptic sensory bass
  • Exceptional 50-hour battery life
  • Improved long-term comfort over Crusher Evo
  • Precise physical bass adjustment wheel
  • Extensive app-based EQ customization
Cons
  • Subpar active noise cancellation (ANC)
  • Muddy mid-range and lack of high-end detail
  • Heavy chassis prone to shifting during movement
  • Inconsistent sound quality compared to older Evo models
  • Unusable 'Stay Aware' transparency mode

Source Breakdown

Compare scores and insights across source types

Reddit Sentiment

Analyzed 8 threads & 19 comments

ANC PerformanceWeight: 25%
35
Best Quote

"As far as ANC goes, I already have headphones that could do that (Soundcore Life q35), and from what I've heard, the ANC 2s don't deliver much when it comes to ANC performance."

Reviewers consistently report that the ANC performance is weak, with some stating it's almost non-existent and not comparable to other brands.

Sound QualityWeight: 20%
45
Best Quote

"The quality of low end sound on the EVO is markedly better than the ANC 2 in my opinion. The EVO blew my mind when I first got them and still does today."

While the sensory bass is a highlight for some, many users find the overall sound quality muddy and inferior to the Crusher Evo, with inconsistent performance even after EQ adjustments.

Comfort/FitWeight: 15%
70
Best Quote

"However the ANC 2 are WAY comfier for me personally, I will still use them for travelling and long listening sessions at work."

A significant portion of users find the ANC 2 to be more comfortable than the Crusher Evo, making them suitable for long listening sessions, though a minority find them heavy and unstable.

Battery LifeWeight: 10%
50
Best Quote

"I was also having a terrible day so might have been too fast with my opinion."

Battery life is not a frequently discussed aspect in the provided reviews, leaving its performance largely unaddressed by users.

Build QualityWeight: 10%
65
Best Quote

"I think the build quality looks and feels alright and they sound great. It’s better than normal cheap headphones."

While some users express concerns about build quality, others find it acceptable for the price, noting a mix of fabric, metal, and plastic construction that feels decent, though not top-tier.

Call Quality / MicWeight: 10%
--
Disregarded

Call quality and microphone performance are not mentioned in any of the provided user reviews.

Features & ConnectivityWeight: 10%
60
Best Quote

"The wheel system works a whole lot better than the janky slider that is prone to wear and tear on the Crusher Evo, the wired mode works a lot better since it doesn't have the hissing that Crusher Evo has"

The custom EQ and bass wheel are praised as significant improvements, but connectivity issues like hissing in wired mode (compared to Evo) and the unusable 'Stay Aware' mode detract from the experience.

Editorial News

Analyzed 7 major publications

ANC PerformanceWeight: 25%
45
Best Quote

"The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones don't cancel noise as well as the competition, but that’s not really their purpose."

Reviewers consistently state that the ANC is merely decent or mediocre, failing to block out significant ambient noise compared to competitors.

Sound QualityWeight: 20%
55
Best Quote

"For outright sonic reproduction, Sony takes the crown. But if you want a pair of headphones that is fun, a bit different and that will give you the same wow-inducing experience as me, then you need to give the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 an audition."

While the bass is undeniably powerful and a key feature, the sound quality is often described as lacking detail, dynamic expression, and can be muddy or thin in the mids and highs, especially at higher bass settings.

Comfort/FitWeight: 15%
85
Best Quote

"They feel comfortable over long listening sessions thanks to the generous memory foam cushioning in the earpads and the fabric-lined headband."

Users generally find the headphones comfortable for extended wear due to generous padding, though some note they are a bit heavy and can shift with sudden movements.

Battery LifeWeight: 10%
95
Best Quote

"Battery life is where the Crusher 2 excel, as Skullcandy claims approximately 50 hours of usage, and real-world testing confirms this claim."

The battery life is consistently praised as excellent, with users reporting very long playback times, often exceeding the advertised figures.

Build QualityWeight: 10%
85
Best Quote

"The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones are built like a tank and offer insane battery life to boot."

The build quality is generally considered premium and robust, with a nice design and included hard-shell case, though some minor plastic elements are noted.

Call Quality / MicWeight: 10%
70
Best Quote

"The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is outfitted with dedicated mics for phone calls and voice commands; in other words, it doesn’t use the same mics for ANC purposes."

Call quality is described as good in quiet environments, but reviewers note that background noise can be picked up and cause distortion or muffling.

Features & ConnectivityWeight: 10%
85
Best Quote

"The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 are rich in features you can play with. From typical ANC to Personalized sound, equalizer, custom controls, Tile support, and Bluetooth multipoint."

The headphones offer a wealth of features through the Skull-iQ app, including extensive button customization, voice commands, and multipoint connectivity, though codec support is limited.

YouTube Creators

Analyzed 18 detailed reviews & 197 comments

ANC PerformanceWeight: 25%
65
Best Quote

"I agree I wish the noise cancelling by its own was a little stronger but if you play music with the bass up it drowns out very loud noises."

While some users find the ANC adequate, many state that the powerful bass often drowns out external noise, making the ANC itself less critical. Others note it's not as strong as competitors and can have issues with wind noise or hissing.

Sound QualityWeight: 20%
80
Best Quote

"This headset has great instrument separation, and clarity, if you leave the "out of the box" experience behind. -You have to play around with the personal sound setting, and only after that do this headset show what it can really do."

The sound quality is highly praised for its unique bass and haptic feedback, which many find revolutionary and immersive, especially for genres like rock, rap, and EDM. However, some audiophiles note it's not as refined as other high-end options, with the bass sometimes overpowering other frequencies.

Comfort/FitWeight: 15%
60
Best Quote

"I like evo more than anc2, the evo is pure bass focus, anc2 is still a bass monster but it is more round than evo."

Comfort is a mixed bag. Many find them comfortable for extended periods, even calling them 'perfect' for long listening sessions. However, a notable number of users report issues with bulkiness, weight, and ear irritation, especially with glasses.

Battery LifeWeight: 10%
95
Best Quote

"I charged them fully, and been using them for the past 14 hours listening to comedy, movies, and music (with 20 to 30% bass, at 70-80% volume) and it only dropped 20% battery."

Battery life is consistently lauded as excellent, with users reporting very long usage times even with high bass and volume settings, often exceeding expectations.

Build QualityWeight: 10%
70
Best Quote

"I have the original wired and the wireless. These are perfect for having fun with music. I can't ever get the sounds right for audiofile, so I now look for fun headphones. These are fun"

Build quality is generally seen as good, with users appreciating the durability and the unique features. However, some minor complaints exist regarding the included accessories like the travel case and occasional issues with button longevity on older models.

Call Quality / MicWeight: 10%
50
Best Quote

"The microphone on Crusher Wireless is so insane even being so old, just as good as the ANC 2 in my opinion"

Call quality and microphone performance are rarely mentioned in the reviews, with only one user comparing it favorably to an older model, suggesting it's not a primary focus or a point of significant complaint.

Features & ConnectivityWeight: 10%
85
Best Quote

"You can adjust the ANC and ambient mode intensities through the app!"

Users appreciate the app for customization, button controls, and the unique bass slider/knob. Connectivity is generally stable, though some minor issues with specific devices or latency are noted. The inclusion of voice control and multi-device pairing is also a plus.

The Bass-First Philosophy

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 does not attempt to compete with the clinical precision of Sony or the balanced profile of Sennheiser. Instead, it doubles down on a visceral, physical experience. The haptic drivers turn low-end frequencies into literal vibrations, a feature that professional reviewers find polarizing but YouTube enthusiasts adore for its "fun" factor. While the hardware feels robust, the weight is significant. The generous memory foam padding helps, but the inertia of the heavy earcups makes them ill-suited for the gym or sudden head movements.

Initial Impressions vs. Long-Term Reality

Tech blogs initially praised the Crusher ANC 2 as a refined successor to the Evo, highlighting the premium build and the 50-hour battery life. However, long-term owners on Reddit have surfaced a more frustrating reality. While the battery life holds up—dropping only 20% after 14 hours of heavy use—the acoustic performance is under fire. Many users argue that the actual sound quality has regressed from the Crusher Evo, citing a muddier low-end that lacks the punchy definition of its predecessor. As one Reddit user bluntly stated:

The quality of low end sound on the EVO is markedly better than the ANC 2 in my opinion.

Furthermore, the "ANC" in the product name is a point of contention. Professional reviews call it mediocre, but daily users find it nearly non-existent. One reviewer noted:

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones don't cancel noise as well as the competition, but that’s not really their purpose.

Software and Customization

The Skull-iQ app is the saving grace for the headset's audio profile. Out of the box, the mids and highs are frequently described as thin or recessed. Users must engage with the Personal Sound settings to salvage the experience. One YouTube reviewer emphasized the necessity of this step:

This headset has great instrument separation, and clarity, if you leave the \

out of the box" experience behind."

While the app offers deep button customization and multipoint connectivity, it cannot fix the hardware's inherent limitations. The ANC remains a secondary feature that is easily overwhelmed by external wind noise or the internal vibration of the haptic motors themselves.