Skullcandy is one of the most popular brands when it comes to bass-heavy headphones. The Skullcandy Crusher ANC and Crusher Evo are two of their top models that deliver powerful, adjustable bass and active noise cancellation.
But which one is better for you? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the key features and performance of the Crusher ANC and Crusher Evo to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Crusher ANC | Crusher Evo |
| Sound Quality | Powerful bass-heavy sound, mids and highs less detailed | Improved drivers for richer, more balanced sound across frequencies |
| Bass | Adjustable haptic bass with deep rumble | Adjustable haptic bass with tight, clean thump |
| Noise Cancellation | Yes, active noise cancellation blocks distractions | No noise cancellation |
| Audio Support | Up to 16-bit/48 kHz | Up to 24-bit/96 kHz Hi-Res Audio |
| Battery Life | 24 hours ANC on, 40 hours ANC off | 21 hours |
| Design | Bulkier, exposed wiring on headband | Streamlined look, seamless headband |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 + multipoint pairing |
Overview and Design
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC and Crusher Evo have very similar designs – both feature an over-ear form factor with plush leatherette ear pads. The headbands are padded and adjustable for a customizable fit.
Some key differences:
- The Crusher Evo has an updated sleeker look with more minimal branding compared to the busier Crusher ANC design.
- The Crusher ANC is slightly larger and heavier than the streamlined Crusher Evo.
- The Crusher Evo has a seamless stainless steel headband compared to the exposed wiring on the Crusher ANC headband.
- The Crusher Evo comes in more color options including True Black, Chill Grey, and Deep Red. The Crusher ANC is only available in Black.
Both models fold into a compact shape for easy portability and storage. The Crusher Evo may have a slight edge for design and customization.
Sound Quality and Features
Sound Signature
The Skullcandy Crusher headphones are renowned for their powerful bass. Both the Crusher ANC and Crusher Evo deliver that deep, rumbling bass along with clean mids and highs.
They share the same drivers:
- 40mm drivers for audio
- Haptic bass module for adjustable sensory bass
Some key differences in sound:
- The Crusher Evo has upgraded audio drivers and improved acoustics for richer sound across frequencies. Mids and highs are clearer and more natural.
- The Crusher ANC has a slightly darker or “boomier” sound signature compared to the more balanced Crusher Evo.
- The Crusher Evo supports Hi-Res Audio playback up to 24-bit/96 kHz for improved clarity and detail. The Crusher ANC maxes out at 16-bit/48 kHz.
Adjustable Bass and ANC
Both models feature Skullcandy’s signature slider on the ear cups to adjust the intensity of the bass sensation from subtle rumble to skull-rattling vibration. It’s a unique feature that makes these headphones really stand out.
The Crusher ANC takes things a step further with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to block out external noise. You can toggle between ANC on, ANC off, and Ambient Sound mode to let some noise in. The Crusher Evo lacks ANC.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The Crusher ANC delivers an excellent 24 hours of battery life with ANC turned on or 40 hours with ANC off. The Crusher Evo falls slightly behind at 21 hours.
Both headphones charge via USB-C and provide rapid charging – 10 minutes plugged in gives you 3 hours of playtime.
For wireless connectivity, the Crusher ANC and Crusher Evo both support Bluetooth 5.0. The Crusher Evo also adds Bluetooth multipoint pairing so you can connect to two devices simultaneously.
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Sound Quality Comparison
Here’s a breakdown of how the Crusher ANC and Crusher Evo sound for different music genres:
Bass and Hip-Hop: Both deliver powerful, immersive bass that adds serious thump on tracks with synthesized or deep bass. The adjustable haptic bass takes it a step beyond normal headphones – you’ll feel the bass vibrating your skull. The Crusher Evo has cleaner, tighter bass.
Rock: These genre-defining headphones excel with the amplified sensations of drums, guitars and vocals. You get a live music feeling. The Crusher Evo brings out more detail and texture.
Pop and Dance: Danceable beats and energetic tracks will come through with great dynamics. The vivid sound makes you want to move. Vocals are crisp on the Crusher Evo.
Acoustic: The Crusher ANC can sound slightly muddy here – strings, vocals and delicate textures don’t sparkle. The Crusher Evo provides better clarity across mids for enjoying the nuances.
Classical: Layers of instrumentation will get lost on the Crusher ANC. The improved frequency response on the Crusher Evo gives classical music more room to breathe.
Podcasts and Audiobooks: Both models have sufficient clarity for speech-based content. The Crusher Evo gives voices a more natural tone. ANC helps block distractions on the Crusher ANC.
Also Read: Comparison Between HyperX Cloud Alpha And Cloud 2.
Pros And Cons Of Crusher ANC And Crusher Evo
Skullcandy Crusher ANC
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC is ideal for bass lovers who want powerful audio immersion and noise cancellation. The adjustable haptic bass creates a unique listening experience.
Pros:
- Haptic sensory bass adds vibration and rumble
- Very powerful, amplified sound
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks distractions
- Excellent 24 hour battery life with ANC on
Cons:
- Sound can be overly bass-heavy
- Mids and highs are somewhat muffled
- No Hi-Res Audio support
Skullcandy Crusher Evo
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo is the better choice if you want richer, more balanced sound with enhanced clarity and detail. The upgrades make this the best-sounding Crusher model yet.
Pros:
- Cleaner audio with improved bass, mids and treble
- Supports Hi-Res Audio for exceptional clarity
- Slightly more comfortable and customizable design
- Multipoint Bluetooth pairing
Cons:
- Lacks noise cancellation features
- Battery life not as long as Crusher ANC
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo has better overall sound quality and audio drivers than the Crusher ANC. But the Crusher ANC offers the key bonus feature of active noise cancellation to block external distractions.
The Crusher Evo has upgraded audio components for cleaner, more well-rounded sound across all frequencies. It also supports Hi-Res Audio. The Crusher ANC delivers very powerful, bass-heavy audio with the addition of active noise cancellation.
Yes, the Crusher Evo is an improved version of the original Skullcandy Crusher with enhanced sound drivers for richer audio and support for Hi-Res Audio. It has a more balanced sound profile.
Skull crushers refer to the exercise move involving lying tricep extensions with a barbell or dumbbells behind the head. The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones have nothing to do with the exercise – they are Bluetooth over-ear headphones known for adjustable bass and great sound.
Also Read: Is Master & Dynamic Better Than Bowers & Wilkins.
The Bottom Line
For pure sound quality and a more customizable design, go with the Skullcandy Crusher Evo. But if active noise cancellation is a must-have, choose the Skullcandy Crusher ANC.
Both deliver the powerful bass that Skullcandy is famous for, just depends if you prefer it front and center or more balanced with the rest of the mix.
Try them both to experience the sensory bass for yourself. With the adjustable slider, you can fine-tune the intensity to match your music. Overall, you can’t go wrong with either Crusher model for impactful audio immersion.