Compare Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC vs Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen)

Reviewers consistently describe a major step up in sound, with clearer, more balanced tuning that no longer relies on bass alone. Hands-on listeners call the overall presentation crisp, powerful, and genuinely premium.

Sound quality is a major success for this generation. Reviewers consistently call it good to excellent, with more balanced tuning and better detail than earlier standard QuietComfort models, though Ultra-level refinement remains slightly ahead.

Wind handling is mixed. Call microphones suppressed wind well for one outdoor test, but another reviewer heard air moving around the large earcups during a gust.

Wind handling was excellent in one outdoor test, where the built-in wind mode kept feedback minimal even on a breezy day.

The tuning is more balanced than past Crushers but still not reference-flat. Listeners seeking studio neutrality may find the elevated bass and upper-mid energy too colored.

Factory tuning is one of the generation's biggest audio improvements. Reviewers repeatedly describe it as balanced, refined, and more tonally honest than earlier QuietComfort models.

The microphone system handled real-world background noise well, including wind and roadside traffic. Callers reported clear speech with little obvious wind interference.

Microphone noise reduction is inconsistent. Background and wind noise can leak through badly outdoors, though some tests found the newer processing improved voice isolation over the previous model.

The combination of haptic bass, wide staging, and head tracking creates a highly immersive presentation. Testers described music as surrounding or following them and compared the sensation to a club or concert.

Immersive Audio is the most polarizing feature. Some reviewers love the wider, speaker-like presentation for movies, while others find it flattening, distracting, or not worth the battery hit.

The adjustable haptic bass is the defining strength: it can feel like a subwoofer or live venue without necessarily burying the rest of the mix. Most testers loved it, though several stressed that moderation gives the best balance.

Bass is usually described as punchy, satisfying, and controlled rather than muddy. A few reviewers found it either slightly too strong or too restrained, but most liked the balance.

The Bose-influenced tuning creates a noticeably wider and more open soundstage than previous Crusher models. TrueSpatial can expand it further, especially for movies and stationary listening.

Soundstage is generally spacious for a closed-back headphone and can widen further with Cinema or Immersive modes. The Ultra still sounds a little more open in direct comparisons.

ANC drew strong praise from several reviewers and clearly surpasses older Skullcandy efforts, especially against steady background noise. One hands-on tester found it less effective than Sonos Ace and some earbuds, so performance may vary by fit and environment.

Noise cancellation is the clearest strength. Most reviewers place it near flagship level, praising how well it suppresses travel rumble, office noise, and city ambience, though a few rivals can still edge it out.

Several testers found ANC made steady fans, engines, and background hum dramatically quieter. One reviewer heard a smaller reduction than with certain competing headphones, suggesting fit and expectations matter.

ANC noise artifacts are mostly well controlled, with one reviewer reporting brief static during sudden spikes while another found the system stayed composed without pumping or hiss.

The large, well-sealed earcups provide strong passive isolation before ANC is even switched on. One reviewer said the outside world already became noticeably quieter from the fit alone.

Passive isolation benefits from the tighter oval seal and plush cushions. Reviewers say the design meaningfully quiets the outside world even before ANC starts.

TrueSpatial is more than a novelty: reviewers heard a wider, speaker-like presentation and convincing head tracking. It works especially well for movies, stationary listening, and immersive music playback.

Spatial audio works especially well for movies, shows, and gaming according to one detailed comparison, adding an engaging sense of space.

The finish resisted fingerprints, dust, and visible grime during early use. The black model stayed cleaner-looking than its large matte surfaces might suggest.

Dark finishes show fingerprints and hand oils easily, so reviewers who care about appearance may find themselves wiping the headphones down often.

Volume output is very strong, with enough headroom for older or quieter masters. At maximum settings, the headphones can become extremely loud.

One reviewer found overall output volume too low even though the tonal balance and Cinema mode were otherwise strong.

The relaxed fit is comfortable for sitting and walking but can shift during jogging or vigorous movement. Active users may find the headset less secure than tighter-clamping alternatives.

The lightweight fit remained secure while walking around the city in testing, without requiring an overly tight clamp.

Connectivity is flexible, covering Bluetooth multipoint, USB audio, and 3.5mm analog playback. The analog mode even works with the headphones powered off, though powered features are then unavailable.

Wired flexibility has a meaningful catch: there is no passive playback, so the headphones still need power even when cabled. That weakens the cable as a true dead-battery fallback.

The earcups rotate smoothly and the frame folds properly for storage. Reviewers appreciated that the mechanism produces a genuinely compact folded shape rather than only laying flat.

Earcup rotation is a minor ergonomic weakness. Multiple reviewers dislike that the cups do not naturally lie flat in the preferred direction when worn around the neck.

Length adjustment is available, but there is little ability to tighten the inward fit. One tester with a larger head still found the headset looser than desired.

Headband adjustment is secure but somewhat divisive. Some like the smooth, precise slider, while others find it stiff or miss the repeatability of the older notched design.

The 3.5mm input adds useful fallback listening and continues to work when the battery is dead. Sensory bass and other powered processing are unavailable in passive mode.

There is no native 3.5mm jack, which some reviewers consider a real loss, though the included USB-C-to-3.5mm cable softens the drawback for flights and analog sources.

Metal accents, plush padding, and the substantial build create a convincingly premium impression. The materials do not always match flagship rivals, but the overall feel exceeds Skullcandy’s budget reputation.

Premium feel is inconsistent. Some reviewers like the softer padding and refined finish, but many say the plastic chassis feels cheaper than a $359 product should.

Branding is restrained and the black version looks discreet on the head. The low-key profile appealed to reviewers, although one thought the shape felt unintentionally dated.

The standard black and white versions keep the low-key, understated QuietComfort look that one reviewer thought was exactly right for everyday wear.

The launch feature set is unusually complete, combining Bose ANC and spatial processing with long battery life, multipoint, wear detection, Auracast, and a deep app. Several sources called it competitive or premium for the price.

Feature breadth draws split reactions: the second generation adds meaningful capabilities, but one reviewer still found the overall feature set too light for a premium-priced model.

The headset folds and collapses more effectively than many premium rivals, but it remains physically large. Some reviewers found it easy to pack, while another still considered it less portable than smaller alternatives.

Foldability and portability are excellent. The headphones collapse into a small footprint that fits easily in backpacks and carry-ons, a recurring advantage for travelers.

High-frequency detail stays cleaner than expected for a bass-focused headphone. Hands-on testing found that the highs remain present instead of disappearing beneath the Crusher effect.

Treble is generally crisp, smooth, and detailed without harshness. A few reviewers hear softened top-end air or slight recession, but the overall response is positive.

Headband padding is soft and comfortable, but thinner than the plush ear cushions. Heavier users may wish it had slightly more foam for better pressure distribution.

Headband padding is consistently praised as soft, plush, and well distributed, helping the lightweight chassis remain comfortable over long sessions.

Sidetone can be adjusted enough to make the wearer’s own voice much easier to hear on calls. Increasing the setting noticeably improved a reviewer’s transparency experience.

The adjustable Self Voice sidetone control is appreciated for letting callers choose how clearly they hear their own voice.

Long battery life, effective ANC, folding earcups, and a clip-on bag make the headphones well suited to commuting and flights. Their weight and bulk keep them from being the easiest travel set to carry.

Travel is a natural fit for these headphones: strong ANC, low weight, compact folding, a small case, and USB-C/airplane-cable support repeatedly earn praise.

Mids come through with more energy and presence than on older Crushers. Reviewers especially liked that vocals, percussion, and other midrange details remain audible even when the sensory bass is active.

Midrange performance is usually clean and natural, especially for vocals, but some reviewers find mids slightly recessed or lacking the presence of the bass and treble.

The soft-lined rolltop bag is roomy, padded, and easy to clip onto another bag. It protects against scratches, though travelers wanting crush protection may prefer a hard case.

The hard case is compact and highly travel-friendly, with several reviewers calling its small footprint a major advantage. One reviewer wished it had an easier carry tab.

The package includes a padded travel bag plus 3.5mm and USB-C cables. The bag is a welcome addition, but the cable quality feels below the rest of the product.

The two included cables are useful and travel-friendly, especially for USB-C and in-flight analog sources. The main accessory complaint is the lack of a wall charger.

Improved separation makes smaller instrumental details easier to pick out. Reviewers heard a cleaner, less congested presentation than on earlier Skullcandy headphones.

Separation is a strong point, with guitars, keys, vocals, and layered parts generally easy to distinguish. USB-C listening can sharpen separation further.

The memory-foam earcups received near-universal praise for their soft, plush feel. They fully surround the ears and rebound well after use.

Earpad comfort is mostly praised for soft, plush cushioning and a good seal, but a few reviewers found the pads thinner or less plush than expected at this price.

Most hands-on reviewers strongly recommend the headphones to bass lovers and call them Skullcandy’s most complete model yet. More cautious sources advise waiting for independent testing if ANC neutrality or reference tuning matters most.

Most reviewers recommend the QuietComfort 2nd Gen, especially for comfort, ANC, travel, and simple daily use. The main hesitation is paying full launch price when discounted alternatives or the Ultra are close.

Hands-on reviewers were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the sound, bass, comfort, and feature mix. Satisfaction is highest among listeners who want excitement and physical impact rather than strict neutrality.

Overall satisfaction is high, with many reviewers calling the headphones an easy daily driver or personal favorite. Negative reactions center mostly on price, materials, and battery life rather than the core listening experience.

Stay-Aware mode generally sounds natural and makes quick conversations or outdoor use practical. Most reviewers liked it, though one found it a step behind the best transparency systems until sidetone was adjusted.

Transparency/Aware mode is usually rated good to very good, with clear voices and useful environmental awareness. Apple remains the common benchmark for a more natural outside-world sound.

Android pairing is straightforward through Google Fast Pair. The app and multipoint features also worked smoothly in direct Android testing.

Android setup was quick and painless in testing, with Google Fast Pair connecting to an Android device in only a few seconds.

Clarity remains impressive even at high volume and with heavy bass engaged. Multiple listeners reported that the mix stayed crisp rather than turning muddy or distorted.

High-volume playback stayed controlled in one detailed test, with crisp highs that did not become shrill even when played loudly.

Battery life is one of the strongest practical advantages, with up to 50 hours using ANC and 60 without it. Reviewers called the endurance exceptional and had difficulty draining it during testing.

Battery life is the most repeated practical weakness. Around 24 hours is enough for ordinary use, but many reviewers consider it short for 2026, especially against 30- to 60-hour competitors.

Rapid charging is genuinely useful, adding several hours from a brief top-up. Hands-on reviewers found charging faster than expected in everyday use.

Charging behavior is practical, especially quick top-ups and the ability to listen while charging. Full charging is not especially fast, but the convenience features are well received.

Call quality is a clear strength, with voices described as crisp, natural, and easy to understand. Outdoor and roadside calls remained intelligible in hands-on testing.

Call quality is serviceable rather than class-leading. Quiet-room calls usually sound fine, but several reviewers report compressed voices, low volume, or mediocre intelligibility in noisy environments.

A customizable five-band EQ gives more control than many competing apps. Reviewers liked being able to combine custom tuning with Crusher bass, personal sound, and spatial modes.

The three-band EQ is easy to understand but too limited for serious tuning. Casual users often find it sufficient, while enthusiasts repeatedly ask for more bands and finer control.

Physical buttons and the joystick are easy to locate and satisfying to use. The main drawback is that the ANC switch sits close enough to the bass dial to cause occasional accidental presses.

The physical buttons are an across-the-board success. Reviewers repeatedly prefer their tactile, predictable operation to touch controls and find them easy to use without looking.

Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the wireless platform current and supports modern features such as LE Audio and Auracast. Pairing and multipoint performance were strong in hands-on testing.

Bluetooth 5.4 drew a positive reaction in the preview coverage, though reviewers focused more on multipoint behavior than the version number itself.

The Skullcandy app was repeatedly described as clean, smooth, and comprehensive. It centralizes bass level, ANC, spatial audio, EQ, sidetone, personalization, and control remapping.

The Bose app is generally praised for being clean, simple, and approachable, though one review criticized its limited depth compared with cheaper rivals.

Pairing and app setup are simple, with quick device discovery and clear controls. Firmware and feature settings are easy to access once connected.

Setup is generally very easy, with fast pairing and a straightforward app. The main usability wrinkle is that a few settings, such as fully disabling ANC, are more buried than expected.

The spoken status prompts are clear and memorable, including the playful “see you” shutdown message. Reviewers found the feedback useful and more personable than generic tones.

The power-on audio feedback drew an unusually enthusiastic response, with the reviewer describing the sound cue as satisfying.

Weight impressions were mixed: some testers called the headphones light in use, while others noticed the bulky 374-gram build during longer sessions. Comfort depends heavily on fit and activity.

Low weight is nearly universally praised and is a major reason the headphones disappear during long sessions. Reviewers consistently see it as a comfort advantage over heavier flagships.

The frame generally feels solid and well assembled despite its plastic construction and hefty size. One sample developed a noticeable creak in the left earcup, which tempers confidence in consistency.

Build quality is a recurring concern: the lightweight plastic helps comfort, but many reviewers say it feels cheap, loose, or insufficiently premium for the price. A few units nevertheless held up well in use.

The industrial Skullcandy styling earned generally positive reactions, especially in the subtler black finish. Critics noted that the silhouette looks bulkier and less polished than current Sony or Bose designs.

The refreshed design is widely liked for its clean shape and colorful finishes. Reviewers often call it modern and attractive, even when they criticize the plastic materials.

Clamping pressure is gentle enough to avoid soreness, but one reviewer found the fit slightly too loose. The relaxed clamp favors comfort over a locked-in feel.

Clamp comfort varies by head shape. Several reviewers found the pressure ideal for sealing without fatigue, while others reported noticeable pressure after longer sessions.

Most reviewers found the plush earcups and padded headband comfortable for long sessions. The weight can become noticeable, but it did not cause discomfort for every tester.

Comfort is one of the strongest areas overall. Most reviewers could wear the headphones for hours or full workdays, although a minority reported pressure or jaw fatigue from the firmer fit.

Value is generally favorable because the headphones deliver Bose-derived features, exceptional battery life, and unique haptic bass below many current flagships. The price becomes less compelling beside discounted older Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, or Soundcore models.

Value is highly price-dependent. Many reviewers think the full $359 launch price is awkward, but the package becomes very compelling around $299 or when compared with substantially pricier flagships.

The wireless stack includes SBC, AAC, LE Audio, and Auracast, but premium codecs such as LDAC and aptX are not confirmed. That makes the feature set modern but not especially strong for codec-focused buyers.

Wireless codec support is a clear limitation for enthusiasts: AAC and SBC are considered basic at this price, especially when rivals offer higher-resolution options.

Multipoint switching worked flawlessly in direct testing between an Android phone and an iPhone. Playback handed off cleanly without needing to reconnect devices.

Multipoint reliability is excellent in the tests that covered it. Laptop-to-phone switching was fast and seamless, including incoming-call handoffs.

Software depth is a weak spot for the price. Several reviewers wanted richer features and more advanced customization than the relatively basic Bose experience provides.

One reviewer found the tuning became markedly worse with ANC disabled, making the normal noise-canceling mode important to the intended sound.

With ANC switched off, one test found bass became boomy and masked other detail, so the cleaner sound depends on leaving noise control engaged.

Video synchronization was excellent in testing, with no visible lip-sync delay even before low-latency mode was enabled. Gaming mode adds further reassurance for interactive use.

Dynamics receive mixed feedback. One review found the presentation compressed and managed, while another thought the headphones sounded convincingly lively and dynamic.

A previous-generation ANC hiss was not noticeable to the CNET reviewer on this model, suggesting a clean idle noise floor in that test.

LE Audio support helps future-proof the wireless platform. Reviewers viewed it as a meaningful modern addition alongside Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast.

aptX support is absent, which several reviewers see as a disappointing limitation for a premium wireless headphone, especially beside the Ultra's higher-resolution codec options.

The lack of head detection is a notable omission at this price, so the headphones do not automatically pause when removed.

Mashable gave the headphones its Choice Award treatment, placing them among products it describes as the best it has tested and loved.

Wired high-resolution playback is a major strength. Reviewers consistently heard or valued the cleaner, more detailed lossless USB-C path, even when the improvement over Bluetooth was modest.

The included cables are functional but feel thin and inexpensive. The short USB-C lead was singled out as less practical than the otherwise premium package.

Detail retrieval is generally strong, with reviewers hearing fine textures, vocals, and instrumental cues clearly. More revealing flagship models can still expose finer microdetail.

Glasses compatibility is excellent. Reviewers wearing glasses generally found the redesigned seal and ANC compensation preserved noise cancellation with little or no noticeable penalty.

ActiveSense is well regarded for softening sudden loud sounds while Aware mode remains usable. Reviewers found it helpful with train screeches, streetcars, and other sharp noise spikes.

LDAC is absent, and reviewers who care about high-resolution wireless playback see that as a meaningful competitive disadvantage.

The headphones work across Android and iPhone and can keep both connected simultaneously. This makes switching between mobile ecosystems or a phone and computer painless.

The Bass Boost preset is useful but not perfectly balanced; one reviewer needed to raise the mids afterward to get the desired sound.

Replaceable ear cushions are strongly valued because worn pads can be swapped instead of forcing replacement of the whole headphone.

Spotify shortcut support was viewed as a useful convenience, giving quick one-button access to playback from the headphones.

Replaceable cushions give the headphones a practical repairability advantage, letting owners renew the first wear item instead of retiring the whole product.

USB-C is one of the most praised upgrades, adding lossless wired playback, charging while listening, and broader laptop/phone usefulness. Reviewers repeatedly wish this were standard on more headphones.

With no water or sweat resistance rating, reviewers advise against rain, gym use, or workouts. These are clearly travel, commute, and desk headphones instead.

Automatic pause on removal is missing, and the omission feels out of place on a premium-priced modern headphone.

Auracast adds a forward-looking sharing feature that few buyers may need immediately but improves long-term wireless readiness. Reviewers grouped it with LE Audio as part of a future-proof connectivity package.

One reviewer subjected the headphones to rough bag and pocket use without seeing wear, suggesting encouraging early durability despite the plastic construction.

One test unit had hinges that felt overly loose and wobbly, reducing confidence when carrying the headphones without their case.

One reviewer noted sweaty earcups in warm conditions, a manageable but noticeable downside common to sealed over-ear designs.