The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 gaming headset promises immersive audio with its signature Crusher Bass haptic feedback, alongside versatile connectivity options for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. This review dives deep into its performance, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to determine if it lives up to the hype and its hefty price tag of $270. We'll examine its comfort, build quality, microphone clarity, and overall sound profile, comparing it to competitors like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air and Razer Kraken V4 Pro.Initial impressions reveal a comfortable and intuitive design with well-placed controls, but closer inspection uncovers several significant flaws. Software inconsistencies, hardware malfunctions (notably a faulty mute button), and a less-than-stellar build quality cast a shadow on the headset's otherwise promising features. We'll dissect the performance of its haptic bass, assess the microphone's capabilities, and ultimately determine whether the Crusher PLYR 720's unique features outweigh its considerable drawbacks.
Pros And Cons
- Comfortable headset
- Surprisingly good sound quality
- Good layout of controls
- Easy-to-use single function joystick
- Simultaneous Bluetooth and wireless connection
- Customizable EQ presets that save to the headset
- Detachable microphone
- Excellent ergonomics
- Easily removable ear pads
- Customizable RGB lighting
- Good breathability and longevity of sport fabric ear pads
- THX mode with spatial tracking
- Action button for play/pause, answering calls
- Good sound quality for FPS gaming with minor EQ adjustments
- Immersive sound for racing sims, especially with haptics
- Software bugs (mute button, controls)
- Conflicting information in manual and software
- Plastic build quality
- Creaking hinge
- Microphone boom difficult to adjust
- Weak and robotic sidetone
- No sound isolation
- Headband material comes off easily
- Ear pads may be too small for some
- Haptic feedback can be overwhelming and rattle at max volume
- Microphone sound quality is average
- 8kHz spike in frequency response requires EQ adjustment
- Inconsistent volume on PC, compared to consoles
- THX head tracking audio issues with quick head turns
- ESP sound calibration feature malfunctions after power cycle
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Unboxing and Accessories
The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 comes in eco-friendly packaging. Inside, you'll find a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a TRRS analog cable (a flat ribbon type), and a dongle. The dongle's color varies depending on the version (green for Xbox, black for others). It has a switch to select between Xbox and PC modes.
The Xbox version is highly versatile, functioning on PlayStation and PC alongside Xbox. The included stickers and manual round out the package; however, inconsistencies in the manual regarding Bluetooth pairing times immediately hint at potential issues.
Connectivity and Software Issues
The headset offers wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and the dongle, with simultaneous functionality. In PC mode, it features game/chat audio mixing without needing the Skullcandy app; however, the app is recommended for firmware updates.
My testing revealed some crucial issues. The mute button malfunctioned despite firmware updates, and the software indicated track changing via the joystick which proved impossible in practice. The inconsistencies between the manual, software, and actual functionality were extremely frustrating.
Comfort, Build Quality, and Controls
The headset boasts a comfortable and intuitive layout. The controls are well-placed and responsive, with the exception of the problematic mute button. The single-function joystick feels surprisingly easy to use for volume, chat mix, and EQ presets.
The build quality, however, feels somewhat lacking given the price. While the controls themselves are solid and tactile, the main chassis is mostly plastic and prone to creaking. The headband is showing signs of wear and tear already, and the microphone boom is stiff and hard to adjust.
Microphone Performance
The detachable microphone is a plus, but its rigid boom makes positioning challenging. Despite its sensitivity, the audio quality is merely adequate for gaming. It lacks the clarity and precision of higher-end gaming headsets.
The microphone’s sensitivity is high, leading to a need to adjust gain levels through the software. Even at 50%, the sound is described as typical and lacks the exceptional audio quality of some competitors.
Sound Quality and Crusher Bass
Objective measurements reveal a surprisingly good frequency response, especially in the mid-range and with a slight bass boost. However, a spike at 8kHz requires EQ adjustments to mitigate sibilance.
Subjectively, the sound is initially impressive. However, the 'Crusher Bass' feature, while fun for explosions and impact, lacks nuance and textures, becoming overly overwhelming at higher levels. The haptic feedback is intense but lacks sophistication.
Comparisons with Other Headsets
The Turtle Beach Atlas Air offers a smoother, V-shaped sound profile with deeper bass extension, though it lacks the 720's mid-range clarity and Crusher Bass feature. It’s a more comfortable, lighter headset overall.
The Razer Kraken V4 Pro, a closed-back option with haptics, excels in build quality (metal chassis) but lacks the 720's sound clarity and suffers from its own EQ issues. It's significantly more expensive as well.
Conclusion: Is it Worth It?
The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 possesses great potential with its comfortable design and surprisingly good sound quality once EQ'd correctly. However, numerous software bugs, hardware defects (like the mute button), and inconsistent information across the manual and software heavily detract from the user experience.
At $270, it struggles to compete with similarly priced headsets offering more refined sound quality and consistent functionality. While the haptic feedback ('Crusher Bass') can enhance immersion in specific games, its shortcomings outweigh its benefits unless you need the strong haptic feedback system. Unless these issues are addressed, I cannot recommend the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720.