Ace of Bass: Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active Headphones Review

When you think of full-size over-ear headphones, you usually think of long flights or a quiet desk — not a high-intensity workout where you’re dripping sweat, your lungs are searching for oxygen, and your brain is looking for any excuse to quit.

Usually, I’d tell you that mental grit is the only way through. But after a few weeks with the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active ($210), I’ve found a pretty compelling alternative: sheer, skull-rattling haptic vibrations.

Since I’m often coaching, I don’t usually wear headphones to work out. But I made a point of doing some solo lifting to see how the Crusher 540 Active performed. And I’ll tell you this: sometimes, a brain-shaking bass is just what you need to push through that last set. 

In short: The Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active combines sensory bass with a comfortable, workout-ready build. While they lack active noise cancellation and sufficient clamp force, the 40-hour battery life and washable pads make them a solid companion for the dedicated plate-slinger. 

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active Headphones Review

Brand Background

Skullcandy started out in 2003 as a headphone brand primarily marketed toward action sports athletes. The Park City–based company appears to be maturing with its initial audience, expanding into eco-friendly options and premium sound products, such as the Crusher line of headphones, including the 540 Active.

How I Tested the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active Headphones

I used the  Skullcandy Ecobuds over a period of 4 months. I used them during powerlifting and CrossFit workouts, as well as on training runs to test the clamp strength. I also used them while working and puttering around the house. 

The Good 

The main appeal for these headphones is clearly the sensory bass. It isn’t just a software trick; it’s also a physical haptic driver that vibrates the earcups. With the right music (say, EDM or rap), the vibration that comes with every boom feels like being in a car with an amp and a few 10-inch subs. That’s a nice adrenaline shot during your last set of squats. The bass can be controlled via a slider on the left earcup, so you can pick how boomy you want it. 

Since I lift at a CrossFit gym, there’s usually music blasting, weights banging, and a coach yelling while I’m powerlifting. With the bass turned up, I found I could really lock in and focus before squatting or deadlifting a weight I was nervous about. Plus, hearing Rob Zombie yelling at me really helped me push through those last few reps. 

Besides the outstanding bass, the audio is solid, but dedicated audiophiles will probably find something to complain about. However, the Crusher 540 has a cool Personal Sound listening test that customizes the sound to your preferences, which was just dumbed down enough for me to use to great effect. 

Skullcandy uses a moisture-resistant nanocoating to protect the internals from sweat, preventing degradation over time. The ear pads are also comfortable and breathable; they never felt too sweaty during workouts. Plus, they can be removed and washed, which is a nice bonus.

At 40 hours, battery life is another win. Even if you’re a high-volume trainer, you’re looking at once-a-week charging. If you do get caught at 0%, a 10-minute Rapid Charge buys you roughly 4 hours of playtime — more than enough for a standard session.

The Bad

Audio-wise, the most glaring omission is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). While the thick pads provide decent passive isolation, they won’t drown out a clanging weight room or a loud kid’s class on the other side of the gym the way premium ANC cans do.

The lack of ANC isn’t a deal-breaker, since the loud bass and ear cups go a long way toward canceling out ambient noise. The real issue that I have with the Crusher 540 Active is what Skullcandy calls the Clamp Force Secure Fit. While the fit is extremely comfortable, they’re pretty much unusable for any movement that involves lying down. 

When I did something upright and fairly stable (squatting, deadlift, cable work, etc.), the headphones stayed put. But any time I’d have to lie prone, they invariably slipped down toward the floor. During movements like planks, flat bench presses, and situps, they had a lot of trouble staying on my head. 

If you keep the movement to a bare minimum, they’ll stay in place, but if I’m trying to push 315 pounds off my chest, the last thing I want is to be distracted by my headphones slipping off. 

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active Headphones: Final Thoughts

Skullcandy has been around since my pals and I haunted the skate parks in the ’90s. Seeing the brand grow up with me into offering more premium options like the Crusher 540 Active has been a bit of nostalgic joy. In this case, the headphones offer the best, most tactile bass I’ve experienced. If it weren’t for the lack of clamp stability, these could be my favorite gym headphones. 

On the other hand, they’re extremely comfortable, the bass is outstanding, and the audio personalization is effective and easy to use. This means they’re staying in my bag for deadlift and squat days. If you’re a lifter who loves pushing weight to your favorite tunes, and you like the music loud, the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active Headphones might be a great option.