Skullcandy aviator 900 anc headphones review

Struggling to find headphones that truly stand out in a sea of similar designs, yet still deliver top-tier performance? You’re in luck because the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC headphones are here, and they’re bringing a whole lot of vintage flair with some serious modern tech. These aren’t your typical Skullcandy headphones. they represent a bold move into the premium audio market, aiming to give you an immersive listening experience that really “hits different”. Launched around June 2025 with a price tag of about $299.99 / £250, they aim to combine that classic, beloved Aviator aesthetic with all the advanced features we expect from high-end Bluetooth headphones today.

This review is all about helping you figure out if these noise-cancelling headphones are the right fit for your ears and your wallet. We’ll explore everything from their eye-catching design and impressive active noise cancellation to their sound quality, battery life, and overall user experience. Some early reviews mentioned a few quirks, like app glitches or sound distortion at high volumes, but Skullcandy seems to have addressed these with firmware updates, making the Aviator 900 ANC a much more reliable contender in the premium space. So, if you’re ready for headphones that blend nostalgic style with cutting-edge performance, let’s break down what makes these Aviators fly.

Design and Comfort: A Nod to the Classics with Modern Comfort

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC headphones is their distinctive look. They unapologetically lean into that retro Aviator aesthetic that made the original line so popular back in 2010. We’re talking vintage-inspired hardware, a sleek matte black finish, and even some cool see-through elements that let you glimpse the Skullcandy logos within the earcups. This isn’t just another generic pair of over-ears. these headphones are designed to be a statement piece, an extension of your personal style.

Despite their somewhat chunky appearance in photos, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how lightweight they actually feel on your head. Coming in at around 290 to 332 grams, they manage to balance robust build quality with a comfortable, all-day wearability. The headband features subtle padding that does a great job of distributing weight, preventing any uncomfortable pressure points, even during long listening sessions. The earcups are equally impressive, wrapped in soft, memory foam leatherette that ergonomically adapts to your ears. You can comfortably wear these for hours without feeling that dreaded clamping sensation that some other over-ear headphones can cause. They also have a flat-folding and collapsible design, which, along with the included stylish crossbody travel bag, makes them super portable and perfect for stuffing into a backpack or carry-on. The combination of comfort, a sweat and water-resistant nano-coating, and powerful noise canceling even makes them surprisingly suitable for gym use, even if that wasn’t their primary intention.

While the build incorporates plenty of plastic to keep the weight down, it still feels solid and premium in hand. There’s no creaking or flimsy feel, which is always a good sign for a product positioned in this price bracket.

Immersive Sound Quality: Beyond the Bass

Now, let’s talk about what really matters: how they sound. Out of the box, the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC headphones deliver a noticeably balanced and clean audio profile. But here’s the real kicker: they truly come alive when you take advantage of the Skullcandy app and its advanced features. Once you connect them to the app, the sound quality can jump from good to absolutely amazing.

These headphones feature 40mm drivers and boast Personal Sound by Mimi technology, which is a must. After a quick hearing test within the app, Mimi creates a custom audio profile tailored to your unique hearing preferences, adapting in real-time to ensure you hear every detail the artist intended. This isn’t just a gimmick. it genuinely transforms the listening experience. Asus rog keris ii ace review

You also get a 5-band custom EQ and preset modes Podcast, Bass Boost, Podcast within the app, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your liking. While the bass is punchy and present, it’s not the “skull-rattling” level you might find in Skullcandy’s Crusher line. Instead, it offers a refined impact without overwhelming your eardrums, striking a great middle ground for those who appreciate clear lows without sacrificing other frequencies. Reviewers note that with careful EQ adjustments, you can achieve a “nice thump and rumble on the low end”.

A standout feature is the inclusion of THX Spatial Audio with Head Tracking. This creates a 360-degree soundscape that shifts and adapts to your head movements, pulling you deeper into your content. It’s like having a personal surround sound system that follows you everywhere. While some reviewers found it “interesting” and preferred their custom EQ for podcast, it definitely enhances movies and games by making dialogue stay centered and sound cues feel incredibly realistic.

Initially, some users reported issues like sound distortion at higher volumes or when ANC was active, and even random shutdowns. However, Skullcandy has acknowledged these issues and rolled out firmware updates to address them, leading to a much more stable and high-quality performance across the board. This means you can now enjoy your audio without those frustrating interruptions.

Active Noise Cancellation ANC: Silence When You Need It

When you’re shelling out for premium Skullcandy noise cancelling headphones, effective noise cancellation is a must, and the Aviator 900 ANC delivers. These headphones feature premium adaptive 6-microphone active noise canceling. What does “adaptive” mean? It means the headphones continuously monitor your environment in real-time and adjust the noise cancellation levels dynamically to effectively block out distractions.

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Multiple tests show this ANC is powerful enough to drown out significant background noise. We’re talking about environments like loud gyms, bustling bus rides, airplane cabins, or busy office spaces. Many users have been genuinely impressed, stating that the ANC is “WAAAY better than the Crushers” and “actually block out noise very well”. One reviewer even found them surprisingly perfect for fitness use, effectively silencing the gym’s ruckus.

Beyond just blocking noise, the Aviator 900 ANC also includes an Adjustable Stay-Aware Mode. This feature lets you fine-tune how much external sound you want to let in, so you can stay aware of your surroundings when needed – ideal for walking through city streets, listening for announcements at an airport, or having a quick chat without taking off your headphones. The transparency mode does a good job of making things sound natural, making it easy to carry on a conversation.

In comparisons, the Aviator 900 ANC’s ANC performance is often lauded as being competitive with, and in some cases, even better than, other popular premium options. Some users put its ANC capabilities close to the Sony WH-1000XM6, and definitely better than the Sennheiser Momentum 4s and the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2. This indicates a significant step up for Skullcandy in the noise-cancelling department.

Battery Life and Rapid Charging: Go Further for Longer

If you’re constantly on the go, battery life is crucial, and the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC headphones absolutely shine here. They offer an insane 60 hours of battery life with ANC off, and a still very impressive 50 hours with ANC turned on. That’s enough juice to literally fly around the world without needing a recharge, or get through days of heavy use on a single charge. This longevity is a major advantage, easily surpassing many competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6, which offers around 30 hours with ANC on.

And when you do finally run low, the Rapid Charge feature comes to the rescue. Just 10 minutes of charging via USB-C will give you 4 hours of playtime. This means a quick top-up during a coffee break or before heading out the door is all you need to keep the podcast going. This combination of exceptional battery endurance and quick charging makes the Aviator 900 ANC incredibly practical for long-haul travelers, daily commuters, or anyone who hates constantly plugging in their devices. You can explore more options for long-lasting wireless headphones if this is a top priority for you.

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Connectivity and Smart Features: Seamless Integration

The Aviator 900 ANC is packed with modern connectivity and smart features designed to make your listening experience smooth and intuitive.

• Bluetooth 5.3: You get the latest Bluetooth standard for stable, efficient wireless connectivity.
• Multipoint Pairing: This is a lifesaver for multitaskers. You can seamlessly connect the headphones to two devices at once, like your phone and your laptop, and switch between them without having to re-pair.
• Google Fast Pair + Finder: For Android users, pairing is a breeze with Google Fast Pair. Plus, if you ever misplace them, the Google Finder feature helps you track them down.
• Spotify Tap™: Get instant access to your Spotify library with a simple tap, a handy feature for podcast lovers.
• Wear Detection: The headphones automatically pause your podcast when you take them off and resume when you put them back on, saving battery and ensuring you don’t miss a beat.
• Low Latency Audio Mode: Essential for gaming and watching videos, this mode minimizes audio lag, so the sound stays perfectly in sync with the visuals.
• Clear Voice Smart Mic: Featuring a 6-microphone array, these headphones ensure crystal-clear call quality. The natural voice sidetone feature also helps your own voice sound natural during calls.
• Physical Controls with LED Display: No fiddly touch controls here! You get tactile physical buttons, including a “joystick” for volume, track skipping, and play/pause, and a “scroll wheel” to adjust ANC and Stay-Aware modes. There’s also a small LED display that shows battery life and current settings, which adds to the retro charm, though some find it mostly decorative while wearing the headphones.

The Skullcandy App Experience: Customization at Your Fingertips

The Skullcandy App is where you unlock the full potential of your Aviator 900 ANC headphones. It’s a central hub for customization, allowing you to tailor almost every aspect of your listening experience.

• Personal Sound by Mimi: As mentioned earlier, this is a standout feature. The app guides you through a quick hearing test to create a personalized audio profile, ensuring the sound is perfectly optimized for your ears. This truly makes a noticeable difference to the sound quality.
• Custom EQ Modes: Beyond the Mimi personalization, you can tweak the 5-band equalizer or choose from preset modes like Podcast, Bass Boost, or Podcast. This gives you granular control over the sound signature.
• ANC & Stay-Aware Modes: Adjust the intensity of the active noise cancellation or fine-tune how much ambient sound the Stay-Aware mode lets in.
• Customizable Button Functions: You can remap certain physical buttons on the headphones to perform your preferred actions, adding another layer of personalization.

While some early reviewers noted that the app could be a bit glitchy or that the headphones’ maximum volume was low without app tweaking, firmware updates have reportedly ironed out these issues, leading to a much smoother and more reliable app experience. The app’s ability to transform the sound quality and user controls makes it an essential download for any Aviator 900 ANC owner.

How Do They Stack Up? Aviator 900 ANC vs. The Competition

The Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC is positioned as a premium offering, going head-to-head with some serious players in the market. At its price point, it’s competing with well-established names like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. Pdp riffmaster guitar controller review

Compared to Skullcandy’s own lineup, like the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2, the Aviator 900 ANC offers a different experience. Reviewers consistently note that the Aviator 900 ANC has superior sound clarity, better staging, and crisper treble, along with significantly better ANC performance. However, if you’re an absolute bass head who craves that visceral, skull-rattling haptic bass unique to the Crusher series, the Aviator 900 ANC, while having punchy bass, won’t deliver that same intense physical rumble. It’s a trade-off between refined audio and extreme bass.

When compared to top-tier competitors, the Aviator 900 ANC holds its own, especially with its impressive battery life up to 60 hours compared to Sony WH-1000XM6’s 30 hours with ANC on. Its design is also a huge differentiator. in a market where many premium headphones look quite similar, the Aviator’s retro aesthetic truly stands out. While some competitors might offer slightly more nuanced sound out of the box, the Aviator 900 ANC’s combination of customizable EQ, Personal Sound by Mimi, and THX Spatial Audio allows it to compete admirably, often surprising users with its audio prowess once tweaked. One user even preferred them over AirPods Max in some aspects, particularly regarding bass.

Overall, the Aviator 900 ANC represents Skullcandy’s “bold entry into the premium headphone space,” proving that great sound and standout design can coexist. If you’re looking for something that offers a unique style, robust features, excellent battery life, and high-quality adaptive noise cancellation, these headphones are definitely worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is THX Spatial Audio with Head Tracking on the Aviator 900 ANC?

THX Spatial Audio with Head Tracking is a feature that creates an immersive, 360-degree soundscape that responds to your head movements. This means that audio cues stay fixed in space even as you move your head, giving you a more realistic and engaging experience, especially for movies and gaming. Razer Tartarus V2 Gaming Keypad Review: Is It Your Next Secret Weapon?

How long does the battery last on the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC?

The Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC boasts an impressive battery life of up to 60 hours with Active Noise Cancellation ANC turned off, and 50 hours with ANC on. Plus, a rapid charge feature gives you 4 hours of playtime from just 10 minutes of charging.

Are the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC headphones comfortable for long wearing sessions?

Yes, reviews consistently highlight the comfort of the Aviator 900 ANC. They feature a lightweight over-ear design with memory foam earcups wrapped in soft leatherette that adapt to your ears, providing comfort for hours without fatigue or pressure points.

How does the ANC performance compare to other Skullcandy headphones like the Crusher ANC 2?

The ANC on the Aviator 900 ANC is generally considered to be significantly better than the Crusher ANC 2. It’s a premium adaptive 6-microphone system that’s powerful enough to effectively block out noise in loud environments like airplanes or gyms.

Can you customize the sound profile of the Aviator 900 ANC?

Absolutely! The Skullcandy App is key for this. It allows you to create a personalized sound profile using Mimi Personal Sound technology, which tunes the audio to your unique hearing. You can also use a 5-band custom EQ and choose from preset modes Podcast, Bass Boost, Podcast to fine-tune the sound to your preferences.

Does the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC have multipoint pairing?

Yes, the Aviator 900 ANC supports multipoint pairing, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously and seamlessly switch between them without having to re-pair. Purina petivity smart litter box monitor review