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The wireless noise-canceling headphone market is more saturated than ever, which is great for consumers because there are more options. It also means that you don’t necessarily have to pay $300+ for a solid pair of headphones. Enter Skullcandy’s first wireless noise-canceling headphones, Venue, which cost $180. As an audio company, Skullcandy has had a stigma for being geared towards younger crowds, specifically those involved with outdoor or extreme sports, but it has taken a more bespoke, fashion-focused line with these noise-canceling headphones. The Venue headphones come in either black or white and lack the giant skull logo (although a small skull is there) that the company is known for. However, the Venue headphones have a couple neat tricks, including fast charging and compatibility with Tile’s app so you can easily find them in case they’re misplaced.
The Good: The noise-canceling ability of Skullcandy’s Venue headphones is its standout feature, as it does an admirable job of blocking out most ambient noise whether you’re listening to music or not. The headphones have a number of on-button controls that let you do things that normally require you to break out your smartphone, such as play/pause and skip tracks. There’s a quick access button for your smartphone’s virtual assistant, too. Even though the Venue headphones still charge via micro-USB, it can still fast charge: a 10-minute charge gets you another five hours of juice. For those comfortable using the Tile app, the headphones essentially act as another Tile device so you can track them down if they’re lost.
Who They’re For: Anybody who wants noise-canceling headphones, but doesn’t want to spend more than $200. The black models are bespoke and have virtually no branding on them, so you might be able to pass them off as Bose or Sony headphones.
Watch Out For: These aren’t audiophile-grade headphones and the audio quality won’t blow you away. When listening to more expansive tracks with a range of vocals and instrumentals, the midrange and high-end can sound muddled. The audio can bleed through when played at high volumes, meaning your neighbors can hear you. There aren’t any swipe gestures – which is a good thing – but the controls aren’t super intuitive, so you’ll need to at least read the owner’s manual once (or twice). The earpads are comfortable, but the build quality of the headband doesn’t feel premium. Headphones aren’t collapsible, so they’re not as travel-friendly as they could be.
