Skullcandy has revealed a trio of earbud models it says were designed with the “most active and adventurous consumers” in mind. The Active Collection lineup ranges from $60 to $100 and were engineered to deliver reliable performance in any conditions, according to Skullcandy.
The Push Play Active, Push ANC Active and Sesh ANC Active all have a few common features. They all support multipoint pairing and rapid charging — a 10-minute charge will allow two hours of playback time. A Sidetone feature is said to counteract occlusion and make it easier to hear our own voice. Meanwhile, the adjustable stay-aware mode lets you tweak things so that it’s easier for you to remain alert and hear what’s going on around you.
The $60 Push Play Active buds have over-the-ear hooks and an IP55 rating for sweat and water resistance. Skullcandy claims that a smart mic will reduce background noise for “crystal clear” calls. The Push Play Active earbuds have several equalizer presets and you’ll be able to set up your own custom five-band EQ as well. They offer up to 34 hours of battery life, according to Skullcandy, with the earbuds running for up to 10 hours on a single charge and the charging case adding an extra 24 hours of use.
The other two models have some shared features as well. Push ANC Active and Sesh ANC Active are IP67 rated, meaning they’re sweatproof and waterproof. Both models use a four-mic array for adjustable active noise cancellation (ANC). The earbuds are compatible with the Skullcandy app, which will allow you to customize the onboard controls and equalizer levels. There’s a personal sound feature too — you’ll be able to take a real-time audio test to create a profile for optimized sound levels.
The Push ANC Active earbuds are the most expensive option of the three at $100. Skullcandy claims you’ll get up to 37 hours of use with ANC on (seven hours from the earbuds and 30 extra from the charging case) and as much as 58 hours of use with ANC off. The brand says you’ll be able to use the earbuds for up to 12 hours before having to return them to the charging case. In addition, the case supports wireless charging.
It’s worth noting that while the Push ANC Active option has an over-the-ear hook, there’s a more traditional true wireless design for the Sesh ANC Active. Skullcandy says these earbuds have a “fit grip” to keep them in your ears. They have a promised battery life of up to 28 hours with ANC on (seven hours in the earbuds, 21 in the charging case) and up to 48 hours with ANC off (12 hours and 36 hours, respectively). The Sech ANC Active earbuds will run you $90.
Skullcandy has earned a reputation for offering solid products at relatively budget-friendly prices, so these are options worth considering if you’re on the lookout for a set of earbuds to use while you’re working out. All three models will be available on Skullcandy’s website starting on June 25.
