• TWEAK
• Hardware
• Headset

Skullcandy Icon ANC

Before we dive into the actual test, we need to look at the specifications, which can easily be found on Skullcandy's website.

Specifications on Icon ANC

• Type: Over-ear headset
• Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
• Volume control: On Ear Cup
• Drivers: -
• Audio control on headset: Multimedia control
• Connector: 1 x 3.5mm, 1x USB-C
• Channels: Stereo
• Battery: - mAh
• Battery life: Up to 60 hours with ANC Off, Up to 50 hours with ANC ON
• Weight: 225 grams
• Support for the following: Bluetooth/3.5mm Aux

Around Icon ANC

Skullcandy Icon ANC are wireless headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) that provide a tailored audio experience that adapts to your surroundings. With an impressive battery life of up to 60 hours and fast charging, they are ideal for long listening sessions and travel. Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, the headphones have a comfortable and robust design that makes them suitable for both everyday use and extended sessions.

When you open the box of the Skullcandy Icon ANC, you will find the headphones along with a USB-C charging cable for quick and easy charging. A detachable AUX cable is also included if you want to use the headphones with a wired connection. To protect and store your headphones, you will get a practical travel bag, and in addition, the package contains a user manual to help you quickly get started using the product. This makes it easy and convenient to start using the Skullcandy Icon ANC right away.

The Skullcandy Icon ANC headphones are constructed with a combination of durable and comfortable materials. The headband is made of sturdy metal, ensuring both strength and flexibility. The ear cushions are padded with soft foam and covered with a leather-like material, providing a comfortable fit and reducing pressure during prolonged use. The outer shell of the ear cups is made of durable plastic, designed to withstand daily wear and tear. In addition, the headphones have an IPX4 rating, meaning they are sweat and water resistant, making them suitable for active use.

Skullcandy Icon ANC are on-ear headphones designed to sit directly on the ears. The ear cups are compact and lightweight, making them suitable for active use and easy transport. When folded, the headphones become even more compact, making them convenient to take with you on the go.

The right earcup of the Skullcandy Icon ANC is designed with several practical features for easy operation. It is equipped with a USB-C port for charging, which provides fast and efficient power delivery, as well as an AUX input for wired listening if desired. The earcup also has a power button that makes it easy to activate or deactivate the headphones, and a multimedia button that provides control over play, pause, change tracks and calls. These functions are elegantly integrated, so that the design remains user-friendly and streamlined. The left earcup of the Skullcandy Icon ANC is designed without physical inputs, giving a clean and minimalist look.

Software

The Skullcandy Icon ANC headphones appear as a modern and user-friendly solution with intuitive features and easy access to all necessary information via an accompanying app. With a stylish design and a clear user interface, you can quickly see the battery level and connection status. The latest firmware update, version 1.0.3, is installed, ensuring that you have access to the latest features and optimizations. The headset is clearly connected, creating a seamless experience, where the technology works in the background to deliver a stable and simple connection. This shows a product that is built for both performance and ease of use, ideal for those who want an uncomplicated and efficient audio experience.

The app interface for the Skullcandy Icon ANC offers extensive customization options that enhance both the sound and user experience. The Equalizer section allows you to choose from preset sound profiles such as Music, Podcast and Bass Boost, or create a completely personalized sound profile via the Custom option. These features make it easy to adjust the sound to your preferences and the current content. The Low Latency Audio feature can be activated to reduce lag during video viewing or gaming, making the headphones versatile for different usage scenarios. In addition, the user can customize button settings to get exactly the control they want, providing a personalized and intuitive operating experience. With Multipoint Pairing, the headset can be connected to two devices simultaneously, making it convenient for those who switch between multiple devices in their daily lives. This combination of features makes the Skullcandy app a powerful tool that maximizes the headset's potential and ease of use.

The app interface for the Skullcandy Icon ANC offers a number of practical and advanced features that enhance both sound quality and usability. The features range from "Personal Sound", which allows you to tailor the sound profile to individual needs, to "Hearing Modes", which offer flexible settings for different listening conditions. The Equalizer section further allows you to adjust the sound to your preference. Low Latency Audio ensures a lag-free experience during gaming and video viewing, while "Button Settings" allows the user to customize the functionality of the headset's buttons for a more personalized operation.

In addition, "Multipoint Pairing" makes it possible to connect the headset to two devices at the same time, which is an advantage for those who often switch between, for example, a smartphone and a tablet. The features also include unique options such as taking pictures via the "Take A Photo" function, voice activation with "Activate Assistant", and easy access to music with "Spotify Tap". All this is combined in an intuitive and easy-to-use app that gives full control over the many possibilities of the Skullcandy Icon ANC.

The test – Sound, use and comfort

Now it's time to take a deeper look at the Skullcandy Icon ANC and test how it performs in practice. Since the headphones are primarily designed for use with smartphones and tablets, this review will focus on comfort and the audio experience - two key aspects for most users.

Starting with comfort, the first thing you notice is how lightweight the headphones are. The low weight makes them ideal for prolonged use, as they don't feel heavy or burdensome on the head. This is a clear advantage for those who use headphones for long periods of time, whether for work, relaxation or travel. Skullcandy has clearly put emphasis on making the headset easy to adjust, so it can fit a wide range of head shapes and sizes.

The metal headband, which forms a central part of the construction, contributes to the headphones' robustness, but is also flexible enough to adapt to the user. It is equipped with a small cushion that adds extra comfort. However, it requires a little adjustment to find the perfect fit so that the headband does not press too much on the top of the head. Once this is in place, however, the headphones feel both stable and comfortable. The ear cups are padded with soft foam, which adds additional comfort and ensures that the headphones sit well without becoming uncomfortable after prolonged use.

When it comes to sound, the Skullcandy Icon ANC is packed with options for customizing the audio experience. The first step was to set up a personal sound profile. This feature allows you to fine-tune the sound experience according to your own preferences and hearing level, providing a tailored experience. After setting the sound profile, you can choose between four different sound settings: Off, Softer, Default, and Richer. I chose "Richer," which is optimized to deliver a deeper, fuller sound.

The result was impressive. The music took on a distinct depth, with the bass really coming into its own. It was precisely balanced and avoided being overwhelming, making it a perfect companion for both energetic pop music and more subdued melodies. At the same time, the treble complemented the bass in a classy way. The treble was clear and detailed, creating a good harmony in the soundscape. This made it possible to enjoy all the small nuances in the music, from vocals to instruments.

Regardless of the music genre, the Skullcandy Icon ANC delivered a satisfying audio experience. The combination of the custom sound profile and the various settings made it possible to find exactly the sound that suited my taste. It’s worth noting that the headset also manages to deliver a stable performance across volume levels – the sound remained clean and undistorted, even when I cranked it up to test its maximum capabilities.

Overall, the Skullcandy Icon ANC proved to be a headset that is not only lightweight and comfortable, but also offers sound quality that can be precisely adjusted to the user's wishes. With its user-friendly features and good performance, it is a headset that manages to balance functionality and pleasure.

Price

Icon ANC from Skullcandy is priced at 110$. But was on sale during the test for 699$.

Conclusion

The Skullcandy Icon ANC delivers a strong overall experience that balances comfort, sound quality, and functionality at a price that makes them accessible to most. The headphones are lightweight, flexible, and easy to adjust, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. However, it can take some getting used to getting the metal headband adjusted correctly for a perfect fit.

When it comes to sound, the Skullcandy Icon ANC certainly doesn't disappoint. The personalized sound profile and choice of four sound settings, including "Richer," ensure an impressive audio experience with deep bass and clear treble. The sound quality is suitable for a wide range of music genres and remains stable and undistorted, even at high volume levels. The active noise cancellation (ANC) works well to reduce background noise, although it doesn't quite reach the level of some high-end competitors. However, for the price, it's still a very useful feature.

The battery life of up to 60 hours is one of the absolute highlights of the headset, and with fast charging it is always ready to use. At a price of 110$, the Skullcandy Icon ANC offers excellent value for money. The comfort, features and adaptable sound make this headset a good choice for many users, whether for everyday use or on the go.

There are a few drawbacks, however. The headset's control options are a bit limited, which can be a challenge for those who want more settings such as controlling the equalizer, and not just being able to change songs or turn the volume up and down. Additionally, it can take a little time to find the optimal fit with the metal headband. However, these minor issues do not significantly affect the overall experience.

With its many strengths and few weaknesses, the Skullcandy Icon ANC lands a solid 8 out of 10. The high score is mainly due to the headphones' sound quality, comfort, and long battery life, while minor shortcomings like control options and headband adjustment drag it down a bit. For the price, they're an excellent choice for most users.

Benefits

• Good all-around sound
• Long battery life
• ANC
• Good Comfort
• Low weight
• Personal sound profile
• Price

Disadvantages

• Requires good adjustment, with the metal bracket
• Get control options, directly on the headset

Score: 8