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100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2011
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I know many people have a firm belief that Skullcandy is utter garbage, but it looks as if the popular headphone company is actually looking to increase its reputation with audiophiles, with products such as the Mix Master Mike and the Roc Nation Aviator, along with the new Hesh 2.0. Looking at the companies website, they have dropped many models or revamped some models, with a new "Superior Sound" campaign.
Quick note, I'm a teenage kid that loves music. I picked these up because I heard Skullcandy was trying to improve their overall quality with their headphones. Found them for 60$ at Best Buy. I also own V-moda M-80, Philips "The Stretch" as portables.
Among the revamped models is their "Hesh" model, a product that was commonly known for sounding below average and breaking easily. It looks like Skullcandy finally saw that the Hesh model wasn't really doing it for anyone other than your teenager fresh off Apple or JVC earbuds, and decided to do an update. I've never owned owned an original Hesh model, but looking at the criticisms for that model, it seems Skullcandy has taken a pretty big step forward with the Hesh 2.0. Featuring a detachable cable, dense rubber headband, and metal adjusters, it seems like the new model beats the older Hesh model right off the bat. However, there's still a very important part of the headphone that you can't judge by looking or holding the headphones, the sound. But I'll get to that later, here are my initial impressions.
NOTE: Sorry for the poor quality and sideways pictures. I'll retake them when I get the time.
PACKAGING: Wow, looks like Skullcandy figured out that nobody likes near impossible to open plastic packaging.
Back:
A nice, pretty simple cardboard box. Also comes with a soft carry pouch that doubles as a cleaning cloth.
BUILD:
As I said before, the build is actually pretty good, and pretty damn good for a Skullcandy product. The cups and "arms" are made out of a black glossy plastic on my pair, that actually feels quite sturdy to me. It's no substitute for aluminum, but it feels alright. The headband, which has been one of the main reasons so many Skullcandy products have been ruined (Snapping, cracking, etc) is made out of a dense rubber, like an Ultrasone. It's flexible and feels strong, an awesome upgrade to the usual plastic bands found on other Skullcandy models. Also, the actual adjustment bar is metal, though I'm not sure what it was on the original model.
The cable is detachable on the left ear cup, a welcome upgrade from he usual fixed-cords on other models. The included cord is thick, has a rubbery feel, and retains little memory character after the first couple uses.
The pleather pads are a bit stiff at first, but are softening up and are quite comfortable. They are fully circumaural for my ears that stick out a bit. The headband is not padded, however, but It actually gets more comfortable as time goes on.
They actually have a hefty feel to them.
ISOLATION: Seems a bit below average, might get better as the pads soften. Unsure about leakage, haven't tested it yet.
SOUND: I've only been playing music through these for about an hour, so this are just my quick sound impressions.
Overall, it's a fun headphone, with impactful, punchy bass that isn't bloated or overwhelming, with mildly recessed mids compared to the bass, and a sparkly, rolled off treble. It's very easy to listen too, and I find it works great for Alternative rock.
More specific:
Highs: The Highs have a bit of sparkle and don't sound recessed to my ears. It is rolled off up top a bit though.
Mids: Feel slightly recessed, nothing too bad though. Male vocals that have a gravelly sound feel a bit off.
Bass: Punchy without being overwhelming.
Soundstage: Decent, nothing special, but not terrible either.
These are just my quick impressions, I'll put up a review after some more time with them. I just wanted to share that it really seems as though Skullcandy is really trying to step up their game in the headphone business. Lets hope they continue to improve.
Quick note, I'm a teenage kid that loves music. I picked these up because I heard Skullcandy was trying to improve their overall quality with their headphones. Found them for 60$ at Best Buy. I also own V-moda M-80, Philips "The Stretch" as portables.
Among the revamped models is their "Hesh" model, a product that was commonly known for sounding below average and breaking easily. It looks like Skullcandy finally saw that the Hesh model wasn't really doing it for anyone other than your teenager fresh off Apple or JVC earbuds, and decided to do an update. I've never owned owned an original Hesh model, but looking at the criticisms for that model, it seems Skullcandy has taken a pretty big step forward with the Hesh 2.0. Featuring a detachable cable, dense rubber headband, and metal adjusters, it seems like the new model beats the older Hesh model right off the bat. However, there's still a very important part of the headphone that you can't judge by looking or holding the headphones, the sound. But I'll get to that later, here are my initial impressions.
NOTE: Sorry for the poor quality and sideways pictures. I'll retake them when I get the time.
PACKAGING: Wow, looks like Skullcandy figured out that nobody likes near impossible to open plastic packaging.
Back:
A nice, pretty simple cardboard box. Also comes with a soft carry pouch that doubles as a cleaning cloth.
BUILD:
As I said before, the build is actually pretty good, and pretty damn good for a Skullcandy product. The cups and "arms" are made out of a black glossy plastic on my pair, that actually feels quite sturdy to me. It's no substitute for aluminum, but it feels alright. The headband, which has been one of the main reasons so many Skullcandy products have been ruined (Snapping, cracking, etc) is made out of a dense rubber, like an Ultrasone. It's flexible and feels strong, an awesome upgrade to the usual plastic bands found on other Skullcandy models. Also, the actual adjustment bar is metal, though I'm not sure what it was on the original model.
The cable is detachable on the left ear cup, a welcome upgrade from he usual fixed-cords on other models. The included cord is thick, has a rubbery feel, and retains little memory character after the first couple uses.
The pleather pads are a bit stiff at first, but are softening up and are quite comfortable. They are fully circumaural for my ears that stick out a bit. The headband is not padded, however, but It actually gets more comfortable as time goes on.
They actually have a hefty feel to them.
ISOLATION: Seems a bit below average, might get better as the pads soften. Unsure about leakage, haven't tested it yet.
SOUND: I've only been playing music through these for about an hour, so this are just my quick sound impressions.
Overall, it's a fun headphone, with impactful, punchy bass that isn't bloated or overwhelming, with mildly recessed mids compared to the bass, and a sparkly, rolled off treble. It's very easy to listen too, and I find it works great for Alternative rock.
More specific:
Highs: The Highs have a bit of sparkle and don't sound recessed to my ears. It is rolled off up top a bit though.
Mids: Feel slightly recessed, nothing too bad though. Male vocals that have a gravelly sound feel a bit off.
Bass: Punchy without being overwhelming.
Soundstage: Decent, nothing special, but not terrible either.
These are just my quick impressions, I'll put up a review after some more time with them. I just wanted to share that it really seems as though Skullcandy is really trying to step up their game in the headphone business. Lets hope they continue to improve.
