Skullcandy Hesh ANC Review

As a music lover and a frequent tester of headphones, I wanted to rush into the Skullcandy Hesh ANC right away. Aside from saber-shaped design that begs one to take a closer look at it, it promises active noise cancellation (ANC) and a reasonable price – the Hesh ANC targets consumers who are in the market for cheap and good quality wireless headphones. After a few days of using it in different situations, I have formed an opinion on its looks, sound, and how well it functions as advertised. Therefore, it is necessary to examine and compare each of these features of the acquaintancе and how well they are reflected in the practice.

Design and Aesthetics

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is a stylish pair of earbuds, despite its minimalistic design. They do not have any premium materials, but then again, they are not exactly meant to. The finish is quite satisfactory, smooth to the touch and matte shades cover the whole of the headband. The branding on the ear cups is very light and reverberates with users. Thump no more than necessary in my opinion.

These headphones come in basic black and basic white colors. Black could be characterized as dynamic and restrained. White is quite the opposite but still manages to suit perfectly the uncluttered design. Of course, chrome styling and other extravagant design touches are absent, which is why Hesh ANC is suitable for everyday environments, including your office or on the way to the office.

Though the style does not match as eye-popping and stunning as most of the premium brands, though the design is very pragmatic and rather typical for everything Skullcandy — “screaming” youth in a positive way, but not too much.

Materials and Build Quality

Having a first impression of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC, its construction does not disappoint, especially given its price category. A majority of the components here are made from plastic, which adds up to the overall lightweight design but does not feel cheap. The absence of metallic or leather embellishments can be noted with other factors but the high plastic used in the making of Hesh ANC headphones is of such a grade that it does not disappoint the user in terms of regular usage.

All the earcups have been designed with memory foam beneath a synthetic leather covering. The memory foam that cushions the ears is soft and comfortable, offering a reasonable amount of compression without being too heavy. Additionally, the head strap has appreciable support due to the flexible material but still does not feel too rigidly supporting. The reinforced band is relatively easy to move and maintains its position quite comfortably.

This is also enhanced by the fact that most of the materials used are plastic which is advantageous in terms of prolonged use. For those that may look at plastic as an attraction, Skullcandy has managed to ensure that it does not look like light weight. Even though there is a plastic construction, the headphones still feel tough and I didn’t feel any wobbling or bending of the headband or earpieces while adjusting them.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is one of the areas where the Skullcandy Hesh ANC really surprised me. These, as we can tell, are over-ear headphones, and the earmuffs are big enough to snugly over my ears without any of those annoying pressure points. Thanks to the memory foam paddings on the ear cups, which are mostly dreams and provide a nice soft pad, which was still comfortable even after a couple of hours of use.

Let’s start with the headband. The clamping force is moderate; it is not too tight, and it is not too loose either. It follows that the pressure does not build on the parts, yet the headphones remain firmly on the head. I was using them for different activities such as sitting at my desk or moving around, and at no point did they feel like they were squeezing or pressing too hard.

The headband also has its share of padding which is a plus for the comfort factor. This is not as thick as some high-end versions, but it is more than enough to prevent stress on the muscles needed to hold the headphones to the head.

In short, I think the fit is fairly adaptable to head dimensions. The adjustable headband is wide enough in case there are different sized heads, and the ear cups have some degree of rotation facilitating better fitting of the ear cups to the head. This adaptability along with the light weight of the Hesh ANC makes it very comfortable for prolonged use.

Sound Quality

Considering its price range, the sound performance of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is good but it's best to restrain one's enthusiasm. These are meant to be used casually and not for someone who will nitpick on every audio engineer's effort in mixing. However, I found that they still provided a decent and enjoyable audio reproduction.

The 40mm drivers promise to deliver a good overall sound. There is the strongest bass which is a signature sound where Skullcandy headphones seem to excel. Low end of the sound is deep and booming and this best suits hip hop, dance and pop genres. For instance, listening to bass rich songs like “Travis Scott - Goosebumps” and “Drake - In My Feelings,” the bass was punchy but not over excessive. Sometimes a good bass is nice and adds a satisfying thump to any sound without excessive sounds being muddled.

The midrange is there but a bit less than the bass. Vocals and instruments can be heard but the sounds are a little above average warmth. For instance in the acoustic songs, “Ed Sheeran - Perfect” or “John Mayer - Gravity,” the mids were decent but not so deep or lastingly impressive.

With regard to audiophile quality sound reproduction, the highs in the sound are reasonable and provide satisfactory amounts of sparkle. It doesn’t manage to get shrill or unfriendly, which is quite a bonus, especially when listening to recordings that feature bold high sounds like cymbals, strings, etc. Unfortunately, it’s not too bad since this has become the weakest most in-depth high frequency I’ve ever heard – if intricate highs are what you are in the mood for, these headphones may not serve that craving entirely.

What I did appreciate is the relatively balanced soundstage. For closed-back headphones, the Hesh ANC does present an acceptable degree of spaciousness. It’s not as large as the one on the ear open-back designs, but at least individual instruments and several vocal parts in a mix were well separated from each other, which made the listening enjoyable.

Smart Features

It ought to be noted that the Hesh ANC has a few attention-grabbing features, of which the active noise cancellation is perhaps most impressive. I’ve tested the ANC performance during my usage of the device, and though it gets the job done, it is still not on the level of such giants as Sony or Bose. It is effective in muffling low tones such as that of an AC hum or even the rumbling of a train. On the contrary, it has some challenges in quieting high tone sounds like people talking, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

If you wish to, you can also switch on an ambient mode that makes it possible for you to hear some external noises while still wearing the headphones. This is convenient in cases when one is required to be listening out for other things, such as when one is crossing a street or when at the airport waiting for calls.

Moreover, Skullcandy Hesh ANC is equipped with “Tile” technology that lets you track the whereabouts of the headphones in case they are lost. Again, I do not remember ever having to make use of this feature during my assessment, but it is a good thing to have, especially for people who lose their headphones often.

Connectivity and Usability

The Hesh ANC was extremely easy to connect to wirelessly and maintained all the way through the tests. The headphone features Bluetooth 5.0 which, as I said earlier, is a good distance similarly Beats Studio Pro and the JBL Tune 510BT. I still could walk around my house, with the source of sound in another room, without any interruptions and those were rendered to be a bit far away. This is something that every user who cherishes wireless connectivity should appreciate without fail. If you want a powerful Bluetooth headphones, then you must try Sony WH-CH720N.

The headphones also include physical buttons which control the playback functions, which in my case was better than the tapping soft controls. These buttons on the ear cup up the volume, go- back and forward, play and pause the music or turn on or off ANC or ambient. These controls are easily identifiable, and functional without removing the headphone which made the ease of use enjoyment even more intuitive.

Compatibility with a 3.5mm audio cable is also included Hesh ANC headphones meaning they can be in headset mode without power which is important in cases where the battery is low or the gadget does not support BT functions. These headphones can be used with a wired or a wireless interface which is also a bonus feature.

Battery Life

On the other hand, the battery life on the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is an area in which the headset excels. The company says listening time remains at 22 hours with the ANC function while off, the latter said to last 30 hours unlike Skullcandy Crusher Evo. Over the time, I was using them, I thought those estimates were spot on. I was able to go several days on intermittent use before having to re-charge them, and when I did so it took about two hours for the battery to reach maximum power through the USB-C charge. There are many wireless headphones that give long backup like Jabra Evolve2 65 and Beats Solo3.

There’s also a quick charge feature that gives you about 10 minutes to stream for about three hours of charge time which was very useful if I was quite pressed for time and required a short fast charge to listen to some music. This avoids a situation whereby if you are in a hurry and do not have enough time to charge the device before leaving, you will be left without ANC or music.

Mic Performance and Call Quality

Regarding the phone quality, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is good but nothing to write home about. Based on my test calls, the microphone is satisfactory for simple calls but lacks efficiency in noisy places like Sennheiser Momentum 4. Background noise was not completely blocked and at times the people on the other end reported that my voice was faint.

When it came to the video calls, the microphone showed similar results. It is ok for a few conversations or meetings, but for keeping making important calls in loud environments, these are probably not good. Nonetheless, for common phone calls or voice recordings in non-busy areas, the mic is reasonably effective for the purpose.

Durability and Portability

Even though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC may not be regarded as too premium compared to others, the finish is good enough for regular use. Even though going with a plastic construction cuts a bit on the weight, it doesn’t do that much on the sturdiness. I’ve thrown them in my backpack day after day, and there wasn’t a single dent other than those scratches that come out in pictures.

The earcups can lay flat though they do not fold flat as some other designs. They can nevertheless be described as lightweight and portable enough to be carried about even when attending functions or undertaking journeys without much stress.

As for the included soft case, it is good for everyday use, but the degree of protection is not enough in comparison to that of a hard case. For those likely to keep the headphones free from any scratches or damages while traveling, it is better to buy a separate hard case.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC vs Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers top-tier noise cancellation. It uses dual noise sensors to block most background noise. This makes it ideal for flights and crowded spaces. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC provides decent noise cancellation, but it's not as effective in complex environments. The Hesh ANC works well for everyday use but struggles to block airplane noise.

In terms of sound, the Sony wireless headphones stands out. It delivers rich, detailed sound with deep bass and a wide range. Features like DSEE Extreme and LDAC codec support make it a great pick for audiophiles. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC, on the other hand, focuses on bass-heavy sound. It lacks the precision and clarity of the Sony model. It’s better suited for users who prefer powerful bass over intricate sound details.

The WH-1000XM4 stands out in terms of battery life. It offers 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation on, and 38 hours with it off. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC provides 22 hours with ANC on, and up to 30 hours without. Both headphones have quick charge features. Sony provides 5 hours of playback from 10 minutes of charging, while Skullcandy offers 3 hours in the same time.

Comfort is key for long listening sessions. The Sony WH-1000XM4 uses premium materials with softer earcups and a more ergonomic design, making it comfortable for extended wear. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is lightweight, but may not be as comfortable over long periods.

The WH-1000XM4 shines with smart features. It has Speak-to-Chat, which pauses music when you speak, and Adaptive Sound Control, adjusting noise cancellation based on your activity. It also offers multipoint connectivity to connect two devices at once. In comparison, the Hesh ANC lacks these smart features but includes Tile tracking, which helps locate lost headphones.

When it comes to price, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is more affordable, priced between $135. It appeals to budget-conscious users wanting decent noise cancellation and wireless performance. The Sony WH-1000XM4, at $300-350, reflects its superior technology, build, and sound quality.

Final Verdict

It is fair to say that once I spent a healthy amount of hours testing the Skullcandy Hesh ANC, I have no issues saying that they are worth their price. They might not come close to more expensive headphones with ANC like Bose or Sony in terms of sound performance or noise omitting, but for a more casual listener or someone on a budget, this is a decent option.

With a bass heavy profile, good ANC, long battery life, and lightweight construction, Hesh ANC does well on the basics. The Hesh ANC’s build quality is very nice, and the Hesh ANC even features Tile tracking and fast charging which are great features to have. If you are after low-cost wireless noise canceling over-ear headphones with good all round performance, then Skullcandy Hesh ANC should be on your list.

FAQs

Is Hesh ANC sweatproof?

No, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones are not sweatproof or water-resistant. They do not have an official IP rating for protection against sweat or water. While they can handle light moisture, they are not designed for heavy sweating or use in wet conditions, such as during intense workouts or in the rain. If you need headphones for workouts, it's better to look for models with an IP rating specifically for water and sweat resistance.