The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless is a set of earplugs for about eighty euros. The set has useful functions, such as voice control, a transparent sound mode and a direct connection with music streaming service Spotify. But what kind of audio quality do you get for those few bucks? We’ll find out in this review.
Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless
Recommended retail price €79.99
Colour black/orange
Link Bluetooth 5.2
Battery life 44 hours (total)
Weight 95 grams (charging box)
Features microphone, ambient sound mode, IP55, voice control
To upload usb c
Website www.skullcandy.com
7 Score 70 
- Pros
- voice control
- IP55 certificate
- parentheses
- Price
- Negatives
- Audio quality
- design
- No noise cancellation
Everything about the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless screams “athletes.” You notice this from the hooks on the earplugs that you slide around your ears and from the new Skull-iQ function. That technology should improve the audio experience and enable voice control. The latter is especially useful during exercise, especially when you have your hands full or don’t have time to reach for your phone. With a simple command you can pause and activate music, skip to the next song and activate Spotify on your smartphone. You can also control the volume and reach a voice assistant.
Skull-iQ from Skullcandy
With the command “Hey Skullcandy” you activate the earplugs. Then you give English commands, such as play, pause, next volume up or assistant. The earplugs almost always hear you well. During testing, we never encountered a time when the earplugs did not respond to the command. It’s a bit of a pity that no Dutch commands are available, but it’s not a big blemish on the experience. The commands are clearly described in a short manual, so you know exactly what to say.
A major drawback is the fact that you must always have your phone’s Skullcandy app open to use the voice control. The location services must also be enabled. Unfortunately, this leads to a higher battery consumption on your smartphone. An alternative option is to use the buttons on the earbuds. There is a clearly tactile button on the back with which you activate the various functions, for moments when you can’t speak out loud and you want or have to keep your phone in your pocket.
These actions are also clearly described in the manual. Skullcandy has managed that well; all smart and useful functions are immediately obvious to the user. You can also change the functions of the buttons in the app. This way you can decide for yourself what happens when you press the button. For example, if you want to consult the Google Assistant on your phone at the push of a button (we tested the set on an Android smartphone), you can arrange that yourself. This means that the system is not only accessible, but can also be used flexibly.
Audio quality and app features
Speaking of flexibility: within the app you will find a simple, yet effective equalizer for adjusting the sound. You can choose from preset profiles for music and podcasts, for example, but you can also decide for yourself how you want to hear something. This gives the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless a unique character, tailored to your own hearing. The equalizer is easy to use and has an audible influence on the audio quality. And that is also necessary, because the audio reproduction is basically a bit dull and boring.
This is partly due to the relatively small drivers of six millimeters. The bass doesn’t sound very deep, for example. The highs and mids come out much better. That is mainly nice for podcasts, but for your music experience – certainly also important during sports), it is a bit less. The equalizer can compensate for part of the loss, but never completely solves the problem. Admittedly, we are dealing with a set of less than eighty euros, so we should not set too high standards. Within that segment, the earplugs sound nice and clear.
Another nice feature of the Skullcandy Push Active is the Stay-Aware mode. This is another name for a transparent mode. Ambient sounds are amplified when you activate the function, so you can always hear what is happening around you while running or cycling. The earbuds don’t have active noise cancellation, but they can keep out some noises when you turn the mode off. Don’t expect miracles, but the noise reduction that is there is subtle and you can really appreciate it at times.
Finally, the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless has two more useful functions. Then think of the integration with Tile, so that you can always find your lost earplugs. There is also the photo mode. Right, a photo mode on your set of earplugs. Once activated, you can take a picture of yourself with the push of a button on the earbuds. You put your smartphone down, take an earplug in your hand and take a picture of yourself with the camera on the back. So you don’t have to take selfies, on which your forearm seems very long. A nice addition from Skullcandy.
Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless – Conclusion
For an amount of eighty euros you can make some demands on your hardware, regardless of the hardware. In terms of audio, Skullcandy performs exactly as you would expect in the market segment. The audio is sometimes a bit superficial, but the digital equalizer can absorb some of it. In addition, voice control is a really handy addition during exercise and we notice that the earplugs always stay in place, because of the hooks that are around your ears. The earplugs are therefore a bit bulky and cumbersome, but we prefer function over form here.
It is also good to see that there is an ip55 certificate for repelling water, dust and sweat and that the battery lasts for more than 45 hours (then we combine the earplugs with the time of the charging box). Because of the shape of the earplugs, the box is large, but it also contains a large battery. If you want slightly better sound quality or a comfortable fit, then you can go to the 1More ColorBuds2. Those earplugs are the same price. Otherwise, consider the JLab Epic Air ANC True Wireless Earbuds, which cost just a few bucks more.
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