Skullcandy Launches Crusher 1080 ANC Headphones With Bose Audio Integration

Skullcandy has officially released the Crusher 1080 ANC, a new iteration of its wireless headphones that integrates specific audio technologies licensed from Bose. The $279.99 headset combines Skullcandy’s signature adjustable sensory bass drivers with Bose’s QuietControl active noise cancellation (ANC), TrueSpatial audio, and SpeechClarity microphone processing. The product is available for purchase immediately in four colorways: black, candy, primer, and cement.

Integration of Bose Audio Technologies

The Crusher 1080 ANC marks a departure for Skullcandy by incorporating a suite of proprietary Bose technologies into its hardware. According to the company’s official release, the headphones utilize Bose’s QuietControl ANC, a system that employs six microphones to monitor and adapt to external environmental noise in real-time. This is the first time a non-Bose headphones has implemented Bose’s TrueSpatial audio engine, which includes head-tracking capabilities designed to maintain a consistent soundstage whether the user is stationary or moving.

The collaboration also extends to call quality. The headphones feature Bose’s SpeechClarity technology, intended to isolate the user’s voice while suppressing background noise during phone calls. These features are designed to complement Skullcandy’s existing hardware, which uses dedicated bass drivers separate from the full-range drivers to create a haptic-like low-frequency response.

Hardware Design and Bass Customization

Skullcandy has redesigned the internal drivers for the Crusher 1080 ANC, utilizing a stiffer diaphragm material. The company states this change reduces audio distortion at high volumes and increases clarity in the mid and high ranges, addressing how extreme bass boosting can result in a loss of audio quality.

Users maintain granular control over the bass output. The adjustment can be managed via the Skullcandy mobile app or through a physical dial located on the exterior of the ear cup. This tactile control allows for immediate, on-the-fly shifts in bass intensity without requiring a software interface.

Technical Specifications and Battery Performance

The Crusher 1080 ANC supports Bluetooth 5.3, including LE Audio and Auracast for broadcast audio sharing. The device also features multipoint pairing, enabling connections to multiple devices simultaneously, and built-in wear detection sensors that automatically pause playback when the headphones are removed.

Battery life is rated at up to 60 hours with ANC disabled, or 50 hours with ANC active. The device supports rapid charging, providing four hours of playback time from a 10-minute charge. For portability, the headphones employ a folding design, allowing them to collapse into a flatter profile for storage.

Comparison of Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the Crusher 1080 ANC include the haptic bass feature? Yes, the signature adjustable sensory bass remains a core feature, controlled by the on-headphone dial or the mobile app.
• Is the head tracking compatible with all devices? The TrueSpatial audio with head tracking is integrated into the headphones’ internal processing, functioning across various audio sources.
• How does the ANC compare to previous Skullcandy models? By utilizing Bose’s six-microphone QuietControl system, the Crusher 1080 ANC is designed to provide a more adaptive and reactive noise-cancellation experience than previous iterations.