IFA 2019: three new Skullcandy headphones

When Jessica Klodnicki, Marketing Director for Skullcandy, steps in front of the fifty media representatives in Hall 1.2 at IFA Berlin, the microphone of all things doesn't work. Irony in its purest form. But Klodnicki isn't shaken. She stays cool as a cucumber, simply continuing without a microphone. Loudly and with charisma. Matching the brand perfectly.

Skullcandy, celebrating youth and adventure

Young people, the young-at-heart and the adventurous. Adrenaline rushers, summit attackers and daring individuals: those are the target groups of Skullcandy, according to Klodnicki. The skull-spangled company is known for developing its audio products in cooperation with (extreme) athletes.

This cheeky impact on the outdoor scene can hardly be overlooked: their stand essentially consists of two black ship containers and chipboard boxes. Somewhere in between stands a screen in front of which Klodnicki and her colleague talk about Skullcandy's values and goals. While this is all happening, tens of other stands are being constructed with hammers, drills and other power tools. And she still manages without a microphone.

Could she be any more sympathetic?

Klodnicki then talks about twelve Moods. A mood for every month of the year, she says. I see, she's talking about some kind of online marketing campaign. Each new mood is celebrated by a selected musician or athlete. In March the mood was «blood», the homepage was coloured red and the commercials were interspersed with hard rap. In April there was «elevated», characterized by the colour green and chill hip hop. Currently we're at «rad». Don't have a clue what that means. If you do, you're welcome to berate my apathy in the comments.

But the campaign was a complete success, according to the Head of Marketing. Rising access numbers and click rates and all that. Worldwide. Clearly, Skullcandy is on the up and up.

Three new stylish headphones

Then Jeff Hutchings, Chief Product Officer, enters the mini stage. Carrying a working microphone this time. No one noticed that the broken one had been replaced. Clever folk, those Skullcandy people.

He brings three tales of good news.

Skullcandy Vert

Skullcandy Vert, Bluetooth earbuds, are designed primarily for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts. They're designed to be comfortable to wear over a longer period of time and are even IPX4 certified, i.e. sweat- and water-repellent. On top of the usual features. Pin sharp sound, quick and easy pairing and the ability to make or receive phone calls.

What really distinguishes the Verts from their competitors, however, aren't the earbuds themselves. It's their remote control: a small window with big buttons and a jog wheel that you can attach to your helmet, backpack harness or bag. This allows them to be used even with thick gloves in deep snow. Or off-road while you're covered head to toe in mountain biking gear.

Note: the earbuds last about 10 hours, with Rapid Charge enabled, and can also be controlled via the microphone. They're available starting from about 79 dollars. European prices aren't quite fixed yet.

Skullcandy Sesh

«There are dozens of wireless in-ear headphones on the market. We therefore want to offer a product that is reliable and equipped with only the most necessary functions. Which is why we can offer it at an affordable price,» says Jeff Hutchings, referring to the Skullcandy Sesh.

The Sesh has a one-button operation system that provides quick access to all control functions for media, the microphone, calls and the digital assistant. The headphones should last up to three hours, up to ten with the charger case. Simple pairing is just as much a part of this as IP55 certification, i.e. protection against sweat and dust.

Cool: the Fearless Use Promise. As the buds are so small, Skullcandy wants to replace new buds «at a low cost» for all those who lose one or more buds. Hutchings: «Sometimes you just want something uncomplicated. And that's exactly what the Sesh offers you.» Specs are never mentioned.

Skullcandy Crusher ANC

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC is an over-ear headphone with active noise cancelling. Hutchings doesn't talk much about it, though. Whether the ANC is as efficient as the WH-1000XM3, Sony's pack leader can be doubted. The «adjustable sensory Bass» is much more interesting anyway: vibration motors inside the headphones should produce a bass sound that you can not only hear, but also feel. «Just like at a real concert,» says the Product Officer. The strength of the vibration can be controlled with a lateral controller.

Hutchings reaches a peak when he talks about the personal sound function. It should be able to adapt the headphone's sound imaging to your own listening behaviour. To do this, the headphones are connected to the smartphone via an app. An approximately three-minute listening test then creates an individual sound profile. Hutchings promises nothing less than a unique sound experience. «Please film yourselves when you try it for the first time,» he says with a broad grin.

This calls for a test, doesn't it?

We weren't allowed to try out the headphones yet. If this changes, updates will follow. All three presented headphones will be available from about mid/end of September. I'll pay close attention.