Skullcandy Indy ANC in-ear wireless earbuds review ultimate noise cancellation and battery life

Description

A Truly Immersive Audio Experience with the Skullcandy Indy ANC

Testing the Skullcandy Indy ANC In-Ear Noise Canceling True Wireless Earbuds has been quite the journey. As someone who spends a lot of time juggling between phone calls, music, podcasts, and workouts, I needed a pair of true wireless earbuds that could keep up with my lifestyle. While these earbuds delivered a solid performance, there were a few quirks worth mentioning.

Design and Build Quality

The sleek and minimal black design of these earbuds immediately caught my attention. They feel lightweight, and the angled, conical earpiece design ensures a snug fit. With the inclusion of three ear gel sizes and two stability ear gels, I found it easy to customize the fit to suit my ears. Whether I was on a jog or simply lounging at home, these earbuds didn’t budge. However, the plastic material used for the charging case and earbuds felt a little less premium than I’d hoped for, despite being functional and sturdy.

I also appreciated the IPX4 water resistance, which made them suitable for sweaty workouts and light rain. However, I wouldn’t recommend testing their limits in heavy downpours or while swimming. The touch controls on the earbuds were responsive, though they required a bit of a learning curve to master, especially when trying to switch between the various settings.

Audio Performance and Noise Cancellation

The audio quality on these earbuds is nothing short of impressive. With dynamic drivers, they deliver deep bass, crisp treble, and balanced mids. Listening to bass-heavy tracks felt like a small concert in my ears. The star feature, though, is the active noise cancellation (ANC). Whether I was working in a noisy café or commuting through the hustle and bustle of city life, the ANC kept external distractions to a minimum.

What sets these apart is the Skullcandy App’s Personal Sound feature, which customizes the audio based on your hearing profile. I didn’t think this would make a big difference, but it genuinely enhanced my listening experience. That said, the noise cancellation isn’t on par with more high-end competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM4, but for its price range, it’s still very effective.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is always a big deal for me, and these earbuds perform decently well. With ANC turned on, I got about 5 hours of playback on the earbuds and an additional 14 hours with the charging case. Turning off ANC extended the battery to 9 hours on the buds and 23 hours with the case. This gave me enough juice for a full day of use without needing to recharge constantly.

The USB-C charging feature is incredibly convenient, and while wireless charging isn’t supported, the fast charging option makes up for it. A quick 10-minute charge provided enough power for me to get through an hour-long workout session.

Positives

The Skullcandy Indy ANC has a lot going for it, and here are some of the highlights:

• Active noise cancellation effectively blocks out most ambient noise.
• Customizable sound profile through the Skullcandy App enhances the listening experience.
• Multiple ear gel options ensure a secure and comfortable fit for various ear sizes.
• Decent battery life with or without ANC, making it ideal for long commutes or workouts.
• Water-resistant design adds durability for active use.

Hurdles

While I enjoyed using the earbuds, they weren’t without their flaws. A few areas for improvement include:

• Touch controls can be overly sensitive and tricky to navigate at first.
• Plastic build material of the case feels a bit cheap compared to competitors.
• Noise cancellation, while good, doesn’t match premium competitors in the market.
• No wireless charging option for the case, which some users might miss.

Market Rivals

Comparing the Skullcandy Indy ANC to other products on the market, I found some interesting differences. For instance, the Sony WF-1000XM4 offers superior ANC and a more premium build, but it comes at a much higher price point. The Apple AirPods Pro delivers seamless integration with Apple devices and a slightly better fit for some users, but the sound profile isn’t as bass-heavy as the Skullcandy. Meanwhile, budget-friendly options like the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro provide similar customization features but lack the dynamic audio quality that Skullcandy brings to the table.

Where these earbuds shine is their price-to-performance ratio, especially for users who prioritize bass and a personalized sound experience. However, if you’re someone who needs absolute top-tier noise cancellation, competitors like Sony or Bose might be better options.

Quality for Price

From a value-for-money perspective, these earbuds deliver an impressive set of features for their price range. The combination of personalized sound, active noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit makes them a strong contender for anyone looking for mid-range true wireless earbuds. While they don’t quite match the premium feel of higher-end models, they pack enough punch to justify the investment. Plus, the one-year warranty adds peace of mind, ensuring that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered.

My experience with the Skullcandy Indy ANC has been largely positive, and while there are a few areas that could use refinement, they’re still a solid choice for anyone seeking immersive audio with customization options. Whether for workouts, commuting, or casual listening, these earbuds strike a good balance between performance and affordability.

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