There’s a widening fault line in the headphone world — between those of us who live for sound and those who treat headphones like a fashion statement. I’m firmly in the first camp, the one that’s happily worn AKG K1000s and Stax L300s in public — models so visually questionable that GQ wouldn’t even return my calls. For people like me, fidelity trumps flair every time.
My kids, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. They’d look at me before a concert or family event and sigh, “Really, Dad… those?” They belong to a generation that views headphones as part of the outfit — an accessory to match sneakers, phones, and curated Instagram grids.
That’s the battlefield Skullcandy is stepping onto with the Aviator 900 ANC, a nostalgic resurrection of its old-school swagger, now armed with Bluetooth LE, active noise cancellation, and a sleeker aesthetic aimed squarely at the fashion-forward crowd. The question is: can Skullcandy’s blend of retro cool and modern tech win over both tribes — or will the purists and influencers keep glaring at each other across the aisle?
Skullcandy was arguably the original lifestyle audio brand, founded in 2003 out of the snow, skate, and surf culture that defined the X Games era. Its founders were avid snowboarders and promoters who saw headphones not just as tools for listening but as part of personal identity. The company’s first product, the Portable Link, allowed users to take calls and listen to music while heading down the slopes — a breakthrough at a time when Bluetooth was still new. The idea hit big, and Skullcandy quickly became a symbol of youth, energy, and defiance.
By 2011, the brand went public and shifted toward the mainstream, losing some of its original spark along the way. It wasn’t until 2016 that Skullcandy began to return to its roots, focusing again on outdoor and action-sports fans who had fueled its early success. In recent years, the company has leaned on nostalgia while updating classic designs with modern features, including better connectivity and noise cancellation.
The Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC continues that mission, blending the original Skullcandy attitude with current tech for both longtime fans and new listeners raised on Bluetooth LE.
Aviator 900 ANC – Skullcandy’s Comeback Statement
The Aviator 900 ANC is a perfect example of Skullcandy’s modern revival. Originally introduced in 2010, the Aviator line stood out with its distinctive teardrop-shaped earcups and quickly became the brand’s flagship through much of the 2010s. The new version keeps that same recognizable design while adding a full slate of 2025 updates.
Under the hood, it brings Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, improved active noise cancellation, THX spatial audio with head tracking, and Mimi sound personalization for a more customized listening experience. Priced at $299.99 USD, the Aviator 900 ANC once again sits at the top of the Skullcandy range — but this time, it’s competing directly with serious players in the premium headphone space. The question is whether this modern Aviator has the performance and polish to hold its own among the industry’s heavyweights.
Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC Unboxing and Build Quality – A Premium First Impression
The Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC arrives in a well-designed retail package that immediately sets the tone. The front features a bold image of the headphones alongside a prominent THX banner and callouts for key features like Spotify Tap, 60+ hour battery life, Active Noise Cancellation, wear detection, and app support. The back showcases a large close-up of the earcup with the tagline “Audio Elevated,” emphasizing the brand’s push toward a more refined, performance-driven image.
Inside, the presentation feels thoughtfully executed. The included soft case is far from the usual cloth pouch found with most headphones. Constructed from black ripstop nylon with red accents, it includes an external pocket for manuals and small accessories, plus versatile attachment points on the back that allow it to be carried horizontally, vertically, or even worn like a sling or fanny pack.
Open the case and you’ll find the Aviator 900 ANC headphones nestled in a soft protective sleeve, the adjustable sling strap, a 3.5mm auxiliary cable, and a short USB-A to USB-C charging cable stored in mesh pockets. The case design reflects Skullcandy’s action-sport DNA — practical, rugged, and made for those who plan to bring their music wherever they go.
Slipping the protective sleeve off, the Aviator 900 ANC is instantly recognizable — those signature teardrop-shaped earcups with a slight forward tilt and a gloss black finish call back to the original 2010 design. The outer shell is made from a smoked transparent polymer, allowing a glimpse of the driver’s rear face through the cup. Etched around the rim are the words “Aviator Headphones, 40mm Driver, Designed in Park City, UT,” grounding the design in Skullcandy’s mountain-town heritage.
Rather than branding the earcups themselves, the Skullcandy logo appears in chrome relief on the gimbal just above each cup — a subtle, more mature choice that complements the retro-meets-modern aesthetic. The design nods to the past continue with an exposed coiled cable connecting each cup to the polymer headband, which features suede on top and leather underneath for a balance of grip and comfort.
The fit is adjusted using friction sliders that allow continuous fine-tuning, and the hinges let the headphones fold flat for portability. The left cup includes a 3.5mm input jack, a roller control, and a large multifunction button, while the right cup houses the power button and a four-way rocker for volume and playback control. A small LED display above the power switch provides visual feedback for power, battery level, and volume based on app settings and mode — a clever throwback to the original Aviator’s visual flair.
Weighing in at 292 grams, the Aviator 900 ANC sits comfortably between competitors — lighter than Apple’s AirPods Max (385g) and only slightly heavier than Sony’s WH-1000XM6 (254g). The result is a well-balanced build that feels both familiar and forward-looking, merging Skullcandy’s design heritage with the technical refinement expected in 2025.
Internals and Technology – What Powers the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC
The Aviator 900 ANC uses a 40mm dynamic driver with a nominal impedance of 36Ω and a sensitivity rating of 119dB/mW at 1kHz. The frequency response is listed as 20Hz–20kHz with total harmonic distortion below 1%. While impedance and sensitivity specs aren’t usually critical in wireless headphones due to their built-in amplification, they matter here because the Aviator 900 ANC can also operate passively via the included 3.5mm cable when powered off — a welcome option for travelers and wired enthusiasts alike.
For active noise cancellation and call performance, Skullcandy has gone with a triple-mic array per earcup, one more than many competitors who typically rely on a single external and one internal mic. This configuration helps improve both environmental noise reduction and voice pickup clarity.
Wireless connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.3, supporting both Classic and LE Audio modes, with codec compatibility for AAC, aptX, and aptX HD. While LDAC is absent, the inclusion of LE Audio makes the omission easier to forgive, as the technology becomes more widespread in 2025. Overall, the internal design reflects a thoughtful balance between modern wireless performance and analog flexibility.
Controls & App Integration
Physical controls are split across the cups and mapped logically. On the left earcup, a large rear button cycles sound modes: Music, Podcast, Movie, Bass Boost, and any Custom EQ presets. Below it, a roller switch handles noise control — up for ANC on, down for Transparency, with a center detent for neither.
On the right earcup, the power/pairing button handles startup and Bluetooth duties. Voice prompts confirm “power on”and “See Ya” on shutdown; holding power immediately after startup pushes the headset into pairing mode and the LED flashes red/blue. A five-way rocker sits nearby: up/down for volume, left/right for track back/forward, and center for play/pause/answer.
It’s refreshingly straightforward: no double-tap bingo or long-press guessing games to toggle ANC or skip tracks. The layout is intuitive, learn-once-use-forever, and frankly, a template other brands should copy.
The Skullcandy App adds a wide range of advanced features that take the Aviator 900 ANC well beyond its physical controls. Within the app, users can access Mimi audio personalization, THX spatial audio with head tracking, adaptive ANC, and adjustable transparency levels. Additional tools include sidetone control for calls and gaming, wear detection, low-latency mode, button customization, and multipoint pairing for maintaining connections to multiple devices at once.
The app also supports Spotify Tap, voice assistant integration (varying by phone OS), and even allows users to trigger photos or record audio directly from the headset. Importantly, firmware updates are handled exclusively through the app, so even users who prefer a simple plug-and-play experience will need to install it at least once. During testing, an available firmware update made noticeable improvements to both functionality and sound quality — clear proof that skipping updates isn’t a smart move.
The Custom EQ setting in the Skullcandy app is flat by default, and selecting Edit opens a five-band equalizer that allows users to fine-tune their preferred sound profile. The app conveniently saves settings between sessions, so there’s no need to recalibrate each time you reconnect.
The Mimi sound personalization feature takes a more scientific approach, guiding users through a brief hearing test. It plays a series of beeps embedded in background noise to determine the decibel level at which each frequency becomes audible. From there, the system automatically adjusts the frequency balance to match the listener’s hearing profile. In testing, it worked reliably, though a visual graph of the adjustments would have made it easier to understand what changes were made.
Another thoughtful inclusion is Google’s Find My Device support — a real-world bonus for parents or anyone with “borrowing-prone” family members. If your kids take the Aviators for a spin and forget to bring them back, you’ll at least have a way to track them down.
Battery Life and Charging – Long Haul Performance with Smart Flexibility
Battery life for the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC is rated at 60 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC on, and those figures proved accurate during testing, varying slightly depending on codec and listening volume. Even with that kind of stamina, Skullcandy adds quick charge support, giving you up to four additional hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge — a lifesaver if, say, the government shuts down while you’re trying to get home from a conference, or you’re attempting to set the record for most consecutive flights from Cape Town to Dulles, I suppose.
The Aviator 900 ANC also earns points for its wired versatility. It can operate passively without power using the included 3.5mm cable, a feature many premium ANC headphones have abandoned. Even better, it supports simultaneous charging and playback, whether via USB-C to a laptop or a wall charger and analog input at the same time. In other words, the Aviator 900 ANC is never truly dead — just taking a quick breather before the next leg of your trip.
Listening
I tested the Aviator 900 ANC using a combination of wired and wireless connections, switching between LE Audio and aptX HD to check for any changes or artifacts in the sound signature. The same controlled approach was used for evaluating ANC and Transparency Mode — playing the same tracks in identical environments with each feature toggled on and off. I also tested THX spatial audio and head tracking both enabled and disabled, since spatial audio is one of the Aviator 900 ANC’s major selling points.
That said, no one should expect Skullcandy headphones to deliver studio neutrality — they’re not built for mastering engineers. The Aviator 900 ANC is designed for energy, impact, and fun, tuned for the same crowd that hits the slopes or the skate park with adrenaline pumping. Think of ANC not as a luxury feature, but as a survival tool — the thing that keeps your music cutting through engine noise, cheering crowds, or the sirens hauling away the day’s casualties. If it can handle that kind of chaos, it’ll make short work of your morning commute, gym session, or kid’s T-ball game.
Bass is elevated noticeably in the Aviator 900 ANC’s default tuning. It delivers a solid foundation for workouts or travel playlists, but it can drift into boomy territory, occasionally bleeding into the lower mids and softening clarity. This is where Mimi personalization and the Custom EQ make a real difference. Pulling back the lowest two EQ bands evens things out — the bass remains present and punchy, but loses the excess bloom that can cloud vocals and instruments.
When properly adjusted, the sub-bass performance is impressive, extending deep with satisfying rumble that makes action movies and electronic tracks hit hard. The mid-bass remains assertive even after correction, delivering plenty of weight and slam so kick drums and bass lines stay forward in the mix without overwhelming the rest of the spectrum.
The lower mids on the Aviator 900 ANC sit on the recessed side, though how much depends on your EQ tuning. Male vocals have good body and weight but can occasionally get lost behind bass-heavy mixes or dense instrumentals. As the mids climb higher, clarity improves noticeably — female vocals and lead instruments cut through with more presence.
Guitars carry a convincing growl with enough texture to sound raw and lively, while pianos shine more in the upper registers where their tone feels cleaner and more natural. Strings, however, could use a touch more top-end energy to sound fully realistic. Then again, Skullcandy didn’t tune these for symphonic purists — you’re more likely to hear trap beats or metal riffs blasting from a halfpipe than a concerto in this crowd.
The lower treble on the Aviator 900 ANC is clean and reasonably detailed, with a noticeable lift around 8–10 kHz that helps counterbalance the elevated bass. That bump adds some welcome clarity but can verge on harshness at higher volumes or with brighter recordings. Percussion has decent presence, though the snap and shimmer are slightly rounded off, and overall air and sparkle are limited. That said, this is typical for closed-back and especially ANC headphones, and in this regard, the Aviator 900 ANC’s treble tuning lands right in line with much of its competition.
The soundstage on the Aviator 900 ANC is somewhat limited in size, offering more width than depth and only modest height. Still, imaging performance is solid, with instruments and effects placed accurately within the available space. When head tracking is enabled, spatial consistency improves noticeably — those footsteps behind you in Assassin’s Creed stay locked in place even as you turn your head.
The THX spatial audio processing adds another layer of immersion, giving the presentation a greater sense of dimension. Its impact varies by source material: sparser mixes open up significantly with more defined separation, while dense or multi-layered tracks benefit less from the effect but still gain a mild sense of expansion.
The Bottom Line
“This marks Skullcandy’s bold entry into the premium headphone space,” said Justin Regan, VP of Marketing for Skullcandy, and “bold” is the right word. At $299, the Aviator 900 ANC steps directly into competition with major players like Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser — and it does so with confidence.
This isn’t a headphone aimed at studio professionals or ANC obsessives, but that’s not its mission. Skullcandy’s goal has always been to deliver style, utility, and energy, and the Aviator 900 ANC succeeds on all three counts. The retro design stands out in a market full of anonymous black plastic, and the carry case is one of the smartest, most practical designs for active users. If the headphones or the bag were waterproof, the Aviator would be even more appealing for outdoor and on-the-go use.
In sound, it’s tuned for fun over flat, with strong bass and a lively presentation that pairs well with modern genres. The addition of Mimi personalization and a Custom EQ lets users dial it in closer to their own taste. ANC and spatial audio performance are both solid, if not class-leading, but more than capable for travel, workouts, or everyday use.
For active listeners, style-conscious users, and longtime Skullcandy fans, the Aviator 900 ANC offers a rare blend of nostalgia and modern tech. It’s a confident return to what made Skullcandy matter in the first place — attitude, accessibility, and personality. Time will tell if Skullcandy’s bold move is boldly rewarded, but the Aviator 900 ANC gets enough right that it deserves to be.
Pros:
- Distinctive retro teardrop design with excellent build quality and finish
- Comfortable fit with soft pads and balanced weight for long sessions
- Versatile case design doubles as a sling or fanny pack, ideal for active users
- Strong battery life (50–60 hours) with fast charging support
- Can be used wired or wireless, including playback while charging
- Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and aptX HD for solid wireless performance
- THX Spatial Audio and head tracking add genuine immersion for gaming and movies
- Mimi sound personalization and Custom EQ allow meaningful sound tuning
- Multiport pairing, Find My Device, and Spotify Tap integration add useful everyday features
- Bass-heavy, energetic tuning works well for pop, EDM, hip-hop, and workouts
Cons:
- Not waterproof, limiting outdoor or sports use in wet conditions
- Bass bleed into the lower mids can reduce clarity without EQ adjustment
- Lower mids slightly recessed, making male vocals less distinct
- Treble lift around 8-10 kHz can sound sharp on bright tracks
- Soundstage is limited, with modest depth and height
- ANC performance is good but trails class leaders from Sony and Bose
- No LDAC support, which some audiophiles may miss
- Closed design limits air and openness, typical of ANC models
Where to buy:
Related Reading:
- Sennheiser HDB 630 Review: High-Resolution Wireless Headphones With Smart ANC, BTD 700 Dongle, And Exceptional Clarity
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Review: Superior Sound And Build With Improved ANC
- CMF Headphone Pro By Nothing: ANC, Spatial Audio, LDAC, And ChatGPT Access Redefine Affordable Wireless Listening In 2025
- Noble Fokus Apollo Review: The Best Balance Of Price, Build, And Sound In Wireless Headphones?
