Skullcandy Links With Bose for the Premium Crusher 1080 ANC Headset
Powered by Bose’s WaveForm engine, the collaborative headphones simulate a front-facing speaker setup at a much lower price point than premium flagships.
Summary
Skullcandy teamed up with Bose to release the Crusher 1080 ANC, licensing premium noise cancellation and spatial audio software for the first time.
To clean up mid-range muddiness, the headset pairs sensory dual-bass drivers with stiffer, distortion-reducing diaphragms.
It features 60 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, Auracast, and a quick-charge function returning four hours of playback in ten minutes.
Skullcandy announced the release of its most advanced headphones to date. The Crusher 1080 ANC marks a significant partnership with Bose to bring high-end noise cancellation and spatial audio to the bass-focused line. Releasing in colorways like True Black, Candy, Primer and Cement, the $279.99 USD device represents the first time Bose has marketed its proprietary audio technologies inside a non-Bose headset. This strategic licensing move allows Skullcandy to offer premium software features at a price point well below Bose’s flagship $449 USD QuietComfort Ultra models.
The collaboration equips the headphones with a comprehensive suite of external software. Users gain access to Bose QuietControl ANC, which utilizes a six-microphone array to dynamically adapt to surrounding noise levels. The integration also includes TrueSpatial audio with head tracking to simulate a front-facing speaker setup for stereophonic tracks. Additionally, the device relies on the Bose WaveForm audio engine to optimize acoustics and maintain clear vocals during intense playback. SpeechClarity voice pickup technology is also present to ensure clear communication during phone calls.
Hardware modifications focus entirely on controlling the extreme low-end frequencies that define the product family. The dual-driver design pairs 36mm full-range drivers with dedicated bass units that create a physical rumble sensation. Listeners can adjust this sensory output via an external dial located on the ear cup or through a companion mobile application. To address the mid-range muddiness that plagued previous generations, engineers implemented a stiffer diaphragm material. This rigid construction encourages a more pistonic movement that significantly cuts down on harmonic distortion when the volume peaks.
Everyday usability sees major upgrades through modern wireless protocols and extended power capacities. The foldable headset supports Bluetooth 5.3 alongside LE Audio and Auracast broadcasting capabilities. Additional quality-of-life features include multipoint pairing, Google Fast Pair and automatic wear detection that pauses media when the device is removed. Battery performance reaches an estimated 60 hours with noise cancellation disabled or 50 hours when the feature remains active. A rapid charge function restores four hours of playback from a quick 10-minute stint plugged into the wall. The headphones are now availablt via Skullcandy in four different colorways.
