Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 Headset Delivers Thrilling Bass That Shakes You to the Core | Review

As a dedicated Nintendo enthusiast, it’s no surprise that I find the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 Wireless headset’s unique features appealing. The open-back design includes a “Crusher wheel” that, when cranked up, delivers a thrilling vibration that enhances the gaming experience on platforms like Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, or Nintendo Switch.

Equipped with dual bass drivers in each ear cup, this headset vibrates in sync with low frequencies, creating audio that rivals cinematic sound quality. This immersive feature has reignited my passion for FPS games, although it may not be for everyone.

Priced at $269.99 / £249.99, the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 Wireless offers impressive sound quality, whether you engage the bass feature or not. For those who crave deep, resonating bass, this headset is a must-have.

Key Specs

Price	$269.99 / £249.99
Acoustic design	Over-ear, open back
Connection	Wired & Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio
Drivers	full-range 40mm audio drivers / dual bass drivers
Frequency response	20Hz – 20KHz​
Microphone	Uni-Directional Removable Boom Mic with Clear Voice Smart Mic & Mic Status LED​
ANC	No
Controls	Power button, joystick, custom button, Crusher wheel, mic mute button
Battery	48 Hours (38 hours over 2.4GHz + Bluetooth)
Weight	354.2g
Compatibility	PC, Mobile, Xbox Series X/S (Xbox Model), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch/Switch 2​

The sleek all-black design features an open-back structure, allowing the sound from its 40mm drivers to resonate naturally. It sports a typical over-ear style, opting for a headstrap beneath the headband instead of foam padding. While this keeps the headset lightweight at 354.2g, the shiny strap material can snag on hair. However, the ear cups are generously padded with soft fabric, ensuring comfort during extended gaming sessions.

The standout feature of this headset is its patented multi-sensory Crusher bass technology, which is aptly named. Beyond the haptic bass, the Crusher PLYR 720 Wireless comes with a wired 3.5mm cable, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a USB-A wireless dongle, a removable boom microphone, and even a set of stickers. If you opt for the Digi-Black Xbox version, the dongle and stickers sport the iconic green associated with Microsoft’s gaming brand. Plus, a redeemable code for one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is included.

In keeping with the Xbox theme, the RGB lighting defaults to green but can be customized. Uniquely, there are four lighting strips on the exterior, with the main glow emanating from within, reminiscent of tech from a sci-fi horror game.

I’m particularly fond of the unconventional RGB placement, but the on-board controls are even more impressive. The Crusher PLYR 720 features the usual power and mic mute buttons, a custom button, and the Crusher dial, along with a tiny joystick on the left cup. While it may not rival the best Xbox Series X controllers, this little analog stick allows for directional movement and can be customized through the Skullcandy Gaming Software, with volume control as the default setting.

This cup also houses the 3.5mm port for wired connections, the USB-C charging port, and the Uni-Directional microphone port, which includes a small red status LED.

The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 delivers outstanding audio, with or without the bass feature. In CS2, with THX Spatial Audio activated, I could hear every footstep and even the clucking chickens on the Anubis map as if they were right beside me.

Maxing out the Crusher wheel truly enhanced the experience. The intense vibrations with each shot fired made me eager to rack up kills. Even as someone who isn’t a huge FPS fan anymore, this headset reignited my enthusiasm for the genre, making every kill feel addictive.

This immersive experience translated well to games like Marvel Rivals, where every shot as Invisible Woman felt physically impactful. The sound quality reminded me of the thrill of watching the Fantastic Four movie in theaters, something I’ve always wanted to replicate in gaming. The dual bass drivers and full-range 40mm audio drivers worked in harmony, whether I was playing online or enjoying solo titles like Dispatch.

While THX Spatial Audio is exclusive to Windows, the Crusher PLYR 720 still performed admirably on other platforms like the PS5. Doom Eternal’s heavy metal soundtrack was a blast, and with the Crusher dial cranked, the bass was so powerful it felt like it was shaking loose any earwax. In Death Stranding Director’s Cut, the howling wind sounded even more menacing, with the haptics mimicking the eerie sound of a windy Scottish day.

On the Nintendo Switch 2, I tested the Bluetooth haptics, and they were just as impressive. Revisiting Mario Kart World was exhilarating, with even the opening jingle delivering a satisfying punch.

After extensive testing, I found that the default bass without the dial engaged was somewhat underwhelming. However, this isn’t a major issue, as the quick-access bass dial allows for instant adjustments without needing to dive into app settings.

I appreciated the nostalgic design of Skull HQ, which features pixelated text and a 3D dot-matrix representation of the headset. Initially, I thought navigating it would be confusing, but the helpful tips made it user-friendly. It even includes mini-games, like a Skullcandy version of Space Invaders. While not essential, it’s a fun addition that enhances the overall experience. In Skull HQ, you can also tweak EQ settings, adjust mic sidetone, customize the joystick, RGB lighting, and custom button, and complete an Enhanced Sound Perception (ESP) test. Personally, I preferred the headset with the ESP setting off, as the default audio with the Crusher bass near max was perfect for my bass-loving preferences.

The microphone quality, while decent, doesn’t quite meet the expectations for a headset in this price range. I received compliments from friends during gameplay, but I struggled to capture a recording without peaking issues. Regardless of the gain level, recordings consistently hit the red zone, which doesn’t accurately reflect the mic’s performance. It’s not the best out there— that title goes to another brand—but it gets the job done, blending well with game soundscapes, especially in titles like Repo or Marvel Rivals. While it’s not ideal for streaming, it suffices for casual use.

My main concern lies with the boom arm design. I prefer a flexible microphone that I can adjust easily, but this one has limited movement and tends to spring back into place. Fortunately, it’s detachable, allowing me to use my Shure M7Vi microphone with its adjustable stand instead.

At $269.99 / £249.99, the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 is on the premium side of the headset market, but it’s worth every cent for bass enthusiasts.

The Crusher bass technology enhances every game I tested, adding that extra punch I always seek in a headset. Feeling the vibrations of a bass drum during gameplay makes battles more exhilarating, reminiscent of the thrill of live concerts, which I cherish from my days in a band.

If you’re after this headset solely for its bass, be prepared to take regular breaks. The constant vibrations can be overwhelming, but it’s a good reminder to step away and recharge, which is essential for any gamer.

It’s rare for me to find a headset I’m eager to show off, but the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 Wireless has become my go-to recommendation.

I spent over two weeks with the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 Wireless gaming headset, using it exclusively during that time. I played a variety of titles, including Counter Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, and Dispatch on my gaming PC, as well as Marvel Rivals, Death Stranding Director’s Cut, and Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth on the PS5. I also tested it with the Nintendo Switch 2, playing Animal Crossing New Horizons, Mario Kart World, and Donkey Kong Bananza to evaluate the immersive bass on the go.

To fully assess its sound capabilities, I also used the headset to catch up on Frieren Beyond Journey’s End season two via streaming services and enjoyed various music genres, from Mystery Skulls to the orchestral score of the Frieren anime series.