Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC Debuts with Bose Audio Tech at $280

Skullcandy’s new Crusher 1080 ANC headphones are now available for $279.99, bringing multiple Bose audio technologies to a non-Bose product for the first time. The headphones feature Bose’s QuietControl adaptive noise cancellation, TrueSpatial audio with head tracking, and the WaveForm audio engine, alongside Skullcandy’s signature adjustable haptic bass. Source: The Verge

Bose Partnership

The collaboration marks a deepening of the relationship between Skullcandy and Bose. Skullcandy CEO Brian Garofalow acknowledged the company’s historical weakness in engineering, stating they have been "really honing our chops" in recent years Source: Wired. The integration required engineering work to decouple Crusher’s bass drivers from the rest of the tuning, aiming to keep mids and highs clear when bass is boosted Source: Wired.

Key Features

• Noise cancellation: Bose’s QuietControl ANC with adaptive adjustment and six microphones for call clarity via SpeechClarity Source: Gizmodo.
• Sound tuning: WaveForm audio engine balances acoustics, and TrueSpatial audio provides a surround-like experience with head tracking Source: Gizmodo.
• Battery life: Up to 60 hours with ANC off, 50 hours with ANC on; a 10-minute charge provides 4 hours of playback Source: The Verge.
• Design: Available in black, candy, primer, and cement. Features multi-point Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, wear detection, and fold-flat design Source: The Verge.

Audio Quality Impressions

Early reviews note a sonic upgrade. Engadget found the Crusher 1080 to have a "well-rounded, open/balanced sound stage" compared to earlier models, and while the Sennheiser HDB 630 remains more neutral, the Skullcandy headphones offer more volume and forward upper mids Source: Engadget. The haptic bass, while still a signature feature, is now more controlled and can be adjusted independently Source: Wired.