Design and features:This Bluetooth wireless noise-canceling home/studio-style over-ear models closed design and electronic noise canceling feature reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment.
Additional features:Has integrated volume control, microphone, and call connect/disconnect control. Skullcandy app download for Apple and Android mobile devices adds additional features and software updates.
Sound quality:We found the Hesh 540 ANC delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks and very good active noise reduction. In the Skullcandy app with the EQ set to music (default) and the ANC switched on the
bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is somewhat prominent and boomy. The
midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even, but is somewhat congested (think sonic traffic jam) and a bit hazy and grainy and a touch sibilant. The
treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended, but somewhat prominent, sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying) and smeared. While the sound has a decent sense of liveliness, it is somewhat closed (sound-wise it's fairly obvious you have something plugging your ears) Mixed character; warm bass and midrange and coolish treble. The overall sound can best be summarized as somewhat bassy congested, sizzly and smeared. No sound can be heard when there is no audio program to drown it out. The tone settings of the app do have a noticeable effect on the sound of these headphones.
Noise Canceling: Very good noise reduction across the entire frequency range with the low frequencies reduced the most. No sound can be heard when there is no audio program to drown it out. Orientation changes the noise reduction characteristic - when the noise is coming from the front a bit more high-frequency noise can be heard relative to when it's coming from the side or rear, but for the best results you do have to make sure the earpads are providing a good seal all around the ears.
Comfort and Fit:There is a sense of moderate pressure around the ears. As typical of over-ear models the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use.
Large
Users with larger heads might find that the headband does not have enough adjustment range to allow the ear cups to rest properly over the ears and/or that the headband presses uncomfortably on the top of the head.
Users with larger ears might find that the over-the-ear fit of the ear pads feel cramped, or that the ear pads sit on, rather than around their ears; in that case the less-than-ideal fit around the ears might interfere with the ear pad seal and reduce the bass response and/or noise reduction capabilities of the headphone.
Stability
Some users may find that when they lean far forward the headphones feel unstable and shift forward, possibly to the point of falling off.
When wearing this model while walking the muffled vibrations from each foot step can be heard slightly through the headphones regardless of whether or not the headphones are in noise cancelling mode.
When the audio cord is used the sound of it rubbing on clothing may be faintly heard through the headphones.
