SKULLCANDY INDY ANC AND EVO: THE TRUE WIRELESS EARPHONES MADE IN THE USA

The market for Bluetooth headphones has never been as thriving as it is right now . We have devices of all types and prices, so it is essential for emerging brands to focus on specific targets to stand out from the crowd . This is what Skullcandy has always done , a dynamic American brand that looks above all to young and very young people, with products with an aggressive price, with a design in step with the times and features suited to their needs.

With the new Indy ANC, for example, Skullcandy has tried to leave a strong mark in the True Wireless headphones sector, without making any particular compromises. As "True Wireless" indicates, we are dealing with two independent in-ear headphonesable to function in symbiosis. At rest, they can be stored in the special "case" which contains a convenient battery - useful for offering hours of extra charge. The same case, equipped with a USB C port, also has wireless charging for added convenience.

True Wireless made in the USA

In terms of design, we are faced with a fresh, young, no-frills package. Not the most original solution on the market, since all True Wireless naturally tend to resemble each other, but still functional. The case is not even the most compact, if compared to much more expensive models (in the picture the direct comparison with Apple's Airpods Pro), it is however useful to guarantee up to about 29-30 real hours of autonomy . Skullcandy's traditional stylized skull can be found both on the case and on the individual earbuds, which are sold with various sized ear tips and two different ear mounts - which serve to increase stability.

The system designed by Skullcandy works and the headphonesthey remain firm even when doing outdoor sports ; we went out several times to race with Indy ANC and we didn't have any problems. The only annoying element can be the wind.

The headphones are equipped with active noise suppression and, although they are not the best solution available on the market, we have a decrease in external sounds of about 65% , a feature that certainly works but that can give way to the wind precisely. or the loud buzz of planes, train or metro, however, the situation should be more than acceptable.

The Indy ANCs also allow you absolute control: both earphones have a touch surface , right where the Skullcandy skull is, which allows you to do many different actions with just the use of your fingers, perhaps too many ... gesture instructions, inserted inside the package, resemble a real "sheet" of paper and it will not be easy to memorize all the combinations.

On this front Skullcandy will certainly have to work in the future and streamline the various proceduresFurthermore, the touch, being quite sensitive, often makes us fall into error. Many of the functions depend on the various touches we make and possibly on the timing, or how many seconds we hold the finger still, a very impractical system that will need to be revised and corrected.

The suggestion is to learn only the gestures related to the functions you use most. For the activation / deactivation of noise cancellation / amplification of environmental sounds, you can also refer to the companion application available on smartphones, well made and functional, even if quite basic.

Through the app we can also analyze our hearing based on the frequencies perceived by our ears and thus have an equalized sound tailored to us, a function that we really liked. Also via the app we can recall the various predefined listening modes: Music, Podcast and Movie .

Sound quality

Thus we come to talk about the sound quality. Looking at the world of the younger ones, it was assumed that Skullcandy was aiming for a sound that was rich in bass - such as to sometimes overpower the rest. The mid and high frequencies are not particularly bright, however the sound produced by Indy ANC will hardly disappoint its reference users. We are talking about a perfect solution to listen to the most popular genres of the moment, with full-bodied and satisfying bass. Even the volume offered is not bad, but be careful not to overdo it with prolonged listening.

For comparison to help you understand, the sound of these headphones is much more like Beatsthan Airpods, perfect for everyday listening and workouts. Perhaps Skullcandy could have offered differently made rubber pads, a little softer, increasing comfort during longer sessions, in general, however, everything is well balanced compared to the price: the Indy ANCs are sold at a list cost of 119 , 99 euros , an honest price that justifies the drivers chosen for the earphones, the wireless charging, the battery life (Skullcandy declares about 9 hours of music for each earphone, let's say that in actual use we are about 7-8 hours, while with the case - we remind you - you get to about 29-30 total).

There remains some doubt about the choice of materials, with a plastic case not particularly refined thatit also betrays a slight sense of fragility . Being a product aimed at younger people, we would have expected a slightly more solid package, but we must instead be careful to treat the case of the Indy ANC with care so as not to destroy it ahead of time.

Mood Boost

To confirm the fact that Skullcandy looks carefully at the world of young people, we also have new limited editions on the market called Mood Boost , with more cheerful and bright color combinations. For the month of March 2021 the brand has chosen the theme of Carefree-Carefree , with the Indy Evo in Carefree Yellow sold in a refined package complete with a color print created by an internationally renowned illustrator - and part of the proceeds from the sale of the bundle will go to the NGO Write Love on Her Arms to help and fund the treatment and healing of young people suffering from depression and addiction .

The Indy Evo are incredibly similar to the Indy ANC, indeed placed side by side they are practically identical, the case of the Evo however does not offer wireless charging, moreover there is no active noise cancellation. In any case, we have up to 30 hours of autonomy declared with the case, IP55 certification against water and dust , touch controls and the possibility of using each headset independently.