Skullcandy SLYR Headphones Review

See full bio

Abdul Hannan

As Tech4Gamers’ editor, I leverage years of hardware exploration to provide nuanced insights. Stay updated with the latest in gaming and tech through my perspective.

See full bio

In this review, I will be testing the Skullcandy SLYR gaming headset to check its affordability and high performance. Targeted by both experienced gamers and those new to gaming accessories, the SLYR offers a blend of style, comfort, and superior sound quality. That’s why my goal is to check if the SLYR is a good option for gamers on a budget or if it is better to spend a bit more to get something pricier.

Key Takeaways

• The Skullcandy SLYR gaming headset strikes a balance between affordability and performance. It appeals to budget-conscious gamers and offers versatility for console and PC gaming.
• It is ideal for PC and console gamers on a budget who want excellent performance without spending top-dollar.
• It may not suit users seeking advanced features and extensive audio customization options, or audiophiles looking for high-end sound quality may find the SLYR lacking in these aspects. 

Box Contents

The following are the box contents:

• SLYR Headset
• Removable Boom Microphone
• 3.5mm Aux Cable 5-pole to 4-pole (5ft)
• 3.5mm PC Splitter Cable
• Quick Start Guide / Warranty Guide

Design

The SLYR headset has a cool and unique design with different color options. Even though it’s made of plastic, it feels sturdy. The comfortable design with memory foam makes it great for long gaming sessions. The overall look is sleek with a mix of matte and glossy black, brushed metal touches, and not too much branding. It’s a good-looking choice for those looking for style on a budget.

Appealing Aesthetics

The SLYR is stylish, especially for those who love unique designs. Despite being entirely plastic, it feels sturdy. I tried the “Digi-Hype” version with pixelated headbands, a fiery cushion, and vivid blue earcups against a matte black background. The contrast between the black and bold colors makes the design pop. The translucent top of the headband, featuring small dark blue Skullcandy emblems, adds to the appealing digital aesthetic.

Variants & Classic Base Color

Check out the green version with cool inner earcups, a vibrant headband, or the blue one with stylish patterns. Both have a sleek design, and the black base color hides scratches well. The headband is comfy inside and looks like brushed aluminum outside. Note that SLYR doesn’t have all the advanced features like Skullcandy PLYR.

Comfort

Skullcandy’s SLYR headset is a comfort champ, perfect for marathon gaming with its lightweight design. The blend of sturdy metals and light plastics strikes a perfect balance. Engineered for long-term comfort, it features memory foam, breathable materials, and flexible 180-degree rotating hinges. The adjustable headband and smoothly rotating ear cups cater to all head sizes. A small tweak could be adding headband padding for extra comfort. Game on with style and ease!

Lightweight And Streamlined

It’s worth noting that the Skullcandy SLYRs are exceptionally lightweight and streamlined, featuring minimal padding and no unnecessary bulk. They tip the scales at just over a pound (265 grams), which is remarkable considering their durability. The flexible design, low weight, and slim profile make these headphones comfortable for extended wear without feeling like an additional burden. However, this design may impart a slight sense of instability, which is effectively counteracted by the earmuffs of the Skullcandy SLYRs, enveloping and securing your ears.

Memory Foam

Our earmuffs have comfy memory foam padding for your ears and headband, offering a perfect mix of firmness and softness. The sturdy plastic joint boosts durability, minimizing the chance of snapping.

Noise Isolation

Our ear cushions boast top-notch memory foam, providing ultimate comfort and excellent noise isolation, perfect for noisy places. Experience a comfy and immersive headphone session without breaking the bank!

Control Scheme

Skullcandy’s SLYR headset has a sleek look with a few buttons and features, expected for its price. It lacks simultaneous sound source fine-tuning, usually seen in pricier headsets. The detachable mic easily fits into the left ear cup alongside a volume wheel, AUX plug, and tap-to-mute button. While buttons are small, they’re practical, allowing easy muting with a tap. Controls are user-friendly with a satisfying click. The mic has a red indicator for mute. Surprisingly, it has a USB-C wire, a plus for connectivity, and a splitter for separating input and output.

Cable Length Considerations

The cable is short; reaching your PC on the desk may be inconvenient. Placing it on the floor worsens the issue. The bright yellow AUX cable works with Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. For Mac or PC, use the black PC splitter cable included. This headset connects to consoles with the cords provided, as it’s wired-only.

Microphone

The Skullcandy SLYR’s microphone is securely designed with minimal flex, thanks to its sturdy rubber construction. While it can only bend its stem and lacks rotation or height adjustment, this trade-off is for affordability and the convenience of a detachable mic. The versatility of removing the microphone lets you use the headset as regular headphones if you don’t need it for communication.

Benefits of Omnidirectional Microphone

Surprisingly, the headset’s microphone is omnidirectional, effectively capturing sound from all directions, including above and below.

This design choice offers two significant advantages.

• Enhanced Voice Pickup: Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all angles, mitigating factors like echo and reflection that affect voice quality. As per my usage, the high-quality microphone proves useful for making calls and recording audio.
• Noise Suppression: An omnidirectional mic can discern the origin of a sound and relay that information to the system, greatly improving noise suppression in applications such as Discord, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and streaming software like OBS.

Microphone Quality

My teammates were initially surprised by the microphone on my Skullcandy SLYR headset in Discord, saying my voice was a bit quiet. They easily fixed it by adjusting their user volume. Overall, the microphone consistently delivers clear audio quality in conversations. I’ve had long chats with people who all praised the clarity of my voice, making our talks enjoyable. Just a heads up, the SLYR model’s microphone sits a bit far from my mouth and has some flexibility but doesn’t bend much.

Limitations in Customization

Unfortunately, unlike the premium offerings from the same manufacturer, the Skullcandy App doesn’t provide extensive customization options for this microphone’s audio settings. These top-tier models allow users to fine-tune the balance between chat and game audio and offer various sound engineering options to tailor the audio experience to their preferences.

Acoustics

SLYR provides good sound at a budget-friendly price but lacks some equalization choices. The default game profile, though, delivers great audio for gaming.

Supreme Sound Technology

Get ready for an audio experience like never before with the SLYR headset. It rocks Skullcandy’s groundbreaking “Supreme Sound” tech; it’s not just a fancy phrase! These bad boys boast dynamic drivers for super-rich sound across a wide range of frequencies – 20Hz to 20KHz. No kidding, you’ll feel the power with balanced bass, midrange, and treble. This is next-level audio, not your typical headset hype.

Balanced Sound Profile

SLYR’s sound is smooth and V-shaped, with good lows and highs. The midrange may seem harsh, but it’s great for gaming, highlighting footsteps and making explosions more immersive. Remember, though, that highs and upper mids can sometimes be a bit sharp.

Versatile Performance

The Skullcandy SLYR rocks a unique design and delivers top-notch performance. It effortlessly connects to my PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and PC with its aux cable, making it a go-to choice for gamers using multiple consoles. Affordable and impressive sound quality, though occasional tinny sounds linked to Supreme Sound. Overall, it won’t let you down in the audio department.

Effective in Gaming

Skullcandy SLYR rocks for games like Valorant, giving you clear sounds for gunfire and explosions in Fortnite. It nails in-game communications, and my teammates love the mic clarity. Versatile across games, from Doom Eternal’s booming bass to precise sound positioning for an immersive experience. Affordable but top-notch audio quality with a well-balanced mix for crystal clear and fully immersive gaming.

Well-Balanced Audio Mix

The SLYR headphones may not wow audiophiles, but they’re a solid and budget-friendly choice for gaming. I found them sturdy and effective, especially for gaming. Plus, they offer decent noise cancellation, a handy feature for gamers who get immersed and might miss outside sounds.

Should You Buy The Skullcandy SLYR?

Carefully analyzing Skullcandy SLYR headphones, I concluded that:

Buy it if

✅ You’re Seeking Affordable Quality: The Skullcandy SLYR is priced at a mere $60, providing a balance between price and performance, which is hard to come by in the gaming headset market.

✅ You Need Multi-Platform Compatibility: The SLYR is versatile with its compatibility across various gaming platforms, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, making it a hassle-free choice for gamers who play on multiple systems.

Don’t Buy it if

❌ You’re an Audiophile: If you have high expectations for audio quality and are accustomed to customizable sound profiles, the SLYR might fall short as it doesn’t offer extensive equalization options.

❌ You Prefer Advanced Features: The lack of high-end features like active noise cancellation, wireless connectivity, or comprehensive software customizability might be a deal-breaker if you seek a premium audio experience.

Final Words

Skullcandy SLYR gaming headset is a solid choice without burning a hole in your wallet. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a newbie, the SLYR balances affordability and performance. It may not have all the bells and whistles of high-end headsets, but for the essentials, it delivers. Comfortable for long gaming sessions and compatible with various platforms, it’s a reliable option. It may not be for audiophiles or those craving fancy features, but it does the job without fuss. Game on!

Recent Updates:

Abdul Hannan

[Hardware Reviewer]

After many years of exploiting various pieces of hardware, Abdul Hannan now serves as an editor at Tech4Gamers. He’s been in the PC hardware reviewing industry for almost a decade, and his staff of passionate geeks and reviewers is second to none.

Abdul Hannan is constantly seeking new methods, you will always see him running into New Computer Courses to improve the performance of his computer components since he is an ardent overclocker. He is well-known for providing the most extensive and unbiased analysis of the newest and greatest hardware for PC gaming, including everything from GPUs to PSUs.