Review: Skullcandy Grind In-Ear Wireless Earbuds – Stylish design with potent bass and clever features

Review of Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds with Voice Control’s design, features, and performance... Read more

Specifications

Brand	Skullcandy
Model Name	TW_GRIND
Color	True Black
Form Factor	In Ear
Connectivity Technology	Bluetooth

Introduction

Unwrapping the Anticipation: The Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds with Voice Control

When it comes to enjoying crisp audio on the go, nothing speaks volume like true wireless earbuds. Imagine my anticipation as I prepared to unbox the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds with Voice Control. I’ve always believed that reviewing consumer products should be an interactive experience, so let’s embark on this charted yet immersive journey together.

An Overview: Why This Product Review Could Sweeten Your Day

Earbuds are all about convenience and sound quality, right? Well, the Skull Candy Grind is poised to make its mark, but let’s not gets ahead of ourselves. As an unbiased reviewer here to share candid experiences, I’m going to lay out my observations, mixed feelings, and honest criticisms, pretty much as I’ve encountered them. My expectations are grounded though, if you’re here, then, like me, you’re keen to know whether these earbuds indeed offer the crucial balance between function, aesthetics, and the price tag.

Deep-diving into the Product

• Packaging of Skull Candy Grind is smart and clean
• Earbuds have distinct, urban design yet plasticky feel
• Earbuds offer comfortable, zero discomfort fit

In this section, I’ll walk you through my hands-on experience with the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds, right from the moment I cracked open the box.

Retail Experience: Unboxing the Skull Candy Grind

There’s something exciting about unboxing a new piece of tech! Opening the packaging revealed the sleek charging case harboring the earbuds, accompanied by a USB-C charging cable. The packaging was smart and clean, enhancing the anticipation of getting to know the product more intimately.

Aesthetic Review: Dapper Looks Coupled with Classy Touches

The grind earbuds are certainly visually appealing. Skull Candy always manages to make their products stand out with a distinct, urban design and these earbuds were no exception with an effortlessly ‘cool’ vibe about them. However, being wholly honest, the quality of the material gave a slightly ‘plasticky’ impression, which felt a tad down-mark in its overall premium appeal.

Initial Feel: Great Look vs Plasticky Feel

No review is complete without an assessment of the product’s feel. While they indisputably look fabulous, the grind earbuds did have a slightly less than premium feel due to the plastic construction. This came across as a little surprising considering the brand’s reputation and the earbuds’ price point. Nevertheless, it didn’t compromise the comfort level. They nestled into my ears with ease and zero discomfort, which is a massive plus for people like me who use earbuds for longevity.

In the next section, I’ll dig deeper into the technical specifications and features of the product, so stay tuned!

Delving into the Technicalities

• Skull Candy Grind earbuds offer IP55 sweat and water resistance
• Earbuds have 40 hour battery life with charging case
• Features Bluetooth 5.2 and Skull Candy App connectivity

In order to truly understand the powerful punch that the Skull Candy Grind earbuds bring to the table, let’s delve a bit deeper into the specifications and features that make this product tick.

Going Undercover: Unraveling the IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance

At first glance, there might be a slight disappointment given the plastic feel of these earbuds. But, the promise of IP55 sweat and water resistance more than compensates for the material shortcomings, an especially valuable feature for us folks with an active lifestyle. This means they can handle a good dose of perspiration during those intense workout sessions, or even an inadvertent splash of water – a great example of durability meeting practicality.

The Powerhouse: Charging Case and Battery Life

Let’s talk battery life. The charging case promises to add about 31 hours to the 9 hours packed within the earbuds themselves. Sounds like quite a marathon of musical bliss, right? But in reality? Well, we’ll get to that later.

Connectivity: Dancing with Bluetooth 5.2 and Skull Candy App

As expected with most earbuds in this category, the Grind connects to compatible devices via Bluetooth, specifically Bluetooth 5.2 . This is great news as the updated version typically offers better range, speed, and efficiency. Don’t overlook the option to download the Skull Candy App – it’s an entire playground of integrated features to explore.

• How reliable is the Bluetooth connection? In my experience, it has been relatively stable and quick to establish contact with my paired device, although the range could be slightly better.
• What about the app? While it offers a range of controls and adjustments, I did find the user interface a little cluttered. It might take some time to get used to it.

Unique Selling Points

• Built-in tile finding tech prevents misplacement.
• Offers active noise cancellation feature.
• Skull IQ Smart Voice Control provides assistance.

Every product has its own set of features that make it stand out from the crowd. These are the characteristics that we often refer to as the “unique selling points”. Let’s dive into what makes the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds extra special.

Never Misplace Again: The Built-in Tile Finding Tech

Nothing’s more annoying than misplacing your earbuds, right? Skull Candy gets you covered on this. The Skull Candy Grind earbuds come with a built-in tile finding tech. This means, next time you misplace your earbuds, take out your phone, ring it from the Tile app, and voila, you’ve found your lost earbuds. Saves you a lot of time and frustration!

Keeping the Noise at Bay: Active Noise Cancellation

Who doesn’t love getting lost in their favorite tunes without the outside world interrupting? Offering active noise cancellation, these earbuds allow you to tune out any external disruptions. Simply do a long press on the touch control, and you’re secured in your own world of music. With these earbuds, the distracting noise stays where it should – at bay.

Always Alert: The Awareness Mode

But what if you still want to be aware of your surroundings while rocking to your favorite music? Skull Candy Grind has this sorted too! A second long press switches to the awareness mode, allowing you to enjoy your music whilst maintaining a level of situational awareness. A feature that truly makes these earbuds stand apart.

Talk with the Tech: Skull IQ Smart Voice Control

What if your earbuds were more than just a device? What if they could also act as your assistant? With Skull Candy’s Skull IQ smart voice control technology, you literally have an assistant in your ear. You can perform a range of tasks simply with the sound of your voice. And before you ask, yes, all this including turning the automatic noise cancellation on and off can be achieved with a voice command. Pretty neat, huh?

The User Experience

• Impressive user experience with Skull Candy Grind Earbuds
• Effective voice control in quieter environments
• Performance reduces in noisy environments

I have to admit, the user experience with the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds with Voice Control was quite impressive. The product comes with a host of features that are designed to make your listening sessions more fun, interactive, and personalized. Let’s break it down:

A Treat to the Eyes and Ears

You know those products that you just can’t help but look at? Skull Candy Grind Earbuds definitely fall into that category. With their sleek and trendy design, these earbuds are real eye-catchers. Comfort-wise, wearing them for extended periods didn’t cause any discomfort which adds a bonus point to over-all user experience.

Onto the sound. The true test of wireless earbuds lies in their sound quality, and I’ll say this – the Skull Candy Grind did not disappoint. The powerful bass adds a great depth to the music without overshadowing the mids and highs. Conceivably, the EQ options in the app can come in handy for fine-tuning the audio according to personal preferences.

Controlling with Speech

Particularly interesting for me was the Skull IQ, Skull Candy’s very own smart voice control technology. In quieter environments, the tech seemed to work very efficiently enabling a hands-free and voice-driven control of the earbuds. However, it did falter slightly when surrounding noise levels were high. This indicates room for improvement in terms of noise filtering for the voice control.

Critical Analysis

Pros:

• Sleek and comfortable design that caters to prolonged wearing

• Impressive audio output with deep bass, clear mids, and highs

• Functional and efficient voice control in quieter environments

Cons:

• Skull IQ’s performance drops in noisy environments

On the whole, the Skull Candy Grind offers a delightful user experience with minor areas that could do with some attention for improvement. Treat your ears with this sweet candy!

The Downside

• Battery life shorter than advertised
• Discrepancy might deter potential buyers
• Improvement needed in product description honesty

Battery Life: The Reality Against the Advertised

Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. As fabulous as the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds are with all their nifty and innovative features, they aren’t without a flaw or two.

One that stood out the most during the evaluation was the battery life. They were supposed to last for nine hours on a single charge, as per the advertising claims. However, in reality, they lasted for around five hours . That’s a significant difference and should be something potential buyers keep in mind.

Overall, the review of the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds left me feeling like they’re slightly over-promising and under-delivering on battery life. And in today’s age, where battery life is an essential feature for many tech products, this shortfall might be a deal-breaker for some users.

It’s always ideal for brands to give a realistic estimate of the battery life, and the discrepancy in this case, marred the overall solid impression of the product.

Don’t get me wrong – this doesn’t lessen its appeal in terms of all the incredible features. Yet, honesty in the product description and meeting users’ expectations are quintessential to a satisfying user experience, and here, there’s some scope for improvement.

Purchase Guidelines

• Skull Candy earbuds require Android 10/iOS 12 for full functionality
• Incompatibility limits access to additional features
• Consider willingness to upgrade phone before purchase

Before you make the leap and click ‘buy’ on those snazzy Skull Candy Grind earbuds, you’ll need to arm yourself with all the facts. Just like anything in life, purchasing a tech gadget shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Understanding device compatibility

First things first, let’s talk compatibility. You’d naturally think that such a modern device would work well with pretty much any smartphone, right? Well, you might want to think again! The Skullcandy App, which is vital for taking full advantage of all the awesome features and software upgrades, requires either Android 10, or newer, or iOS 12 or newer. This could potentially be a significant drawback for some folks with older phones. Even though the earbuds themselves should still technically work with older operating systems, you won’t be able to maximize their functionality without the App. So, before you go on a shopping spree, make sure your phone is up to the task.

Weighing the additional features

As sweet as the additional features might sound – and believe me, they are – they could be out of your grasp if your device isn’t compatible with the App. Whether it’s the equalizer options, the Skull IQ voice control or the automatic noise cancellation, a considerable chunk of the overall experience lays behind that compatibility barrier. Yet again, think before you click that purchase button.

Gauging your willingness to upgrade

Ultimately, it comes down to a critical question: Are you willing to upgrade your phone to fully harness the power and potential of the Skull Candy Grind earbuds? If you are already due for an upgrade or are looking for an excuse to do so, this might be the perfect opportunity. If not, you might want to explore other products that offer similar features without requiring a specific OS version. Balancing between desire and necessity is key here.

So, there you have it! My humble piece of advice before you throw yourself into the virtual shopping cart. Always remember, the right product aligns well with your needs, expectations, and yes, your smartphone’s operability!

Final Review Score

• Skull Candy Earbuds have solid design, performance, and price
• Key aspects assessed include design, sound quality, battery life
• Final score of Skull Candy Earbuds is 8/10

After a comprehensive testing period of the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds, it’s time to provide the final verdict. These earbuds strike an interesting balance between design, performance, and price, offering a solid package for music enthusiasts with some standout features.

Score Basis

The evaluation of the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds was carried out on key aspects such as design, sound quality, battery life, software compatibility, and unique features. Each parameter was scored out of ten:

• Design: Sleek design and comfortable fit provided a solid start to the experience. The plasticky feel, however, was a setback. (Score: 7/10)
• Sound Quality: The powerful bass coupled with clarity in the mids and high-end was commendable. The EQ option within the app further enhances the auditory experience. (Score: 9/10)
• Battery Life: The discrepancy between the advertised and actual battery life was disappointing. (Score: 6/10)
• Software Compatibility: The app compatibility limitations could potentially restrict features for some users. (Score: 7/10)
• Unique Features: The Skull IQ Voice Control performed exemplary in quiet environments but struggled in noisy situations. The tile finding feature is a strong plus. (Score: 8/10)

Final Verdict

Consolidating all the scoring aspects, I’d award the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds a deserving final score of 8/10 . It’s an impressive piece of tech that provides substantial value, despite having room for enhancements. The earbuds bring a noteworthy combination of style and functionality, justifying the score.

So, if you’re someone who prioritizes audio performance and innovative features in your wireless earbuds, Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds could be worth considering in your search.

How to Acquire Your Pair

• Acquire earbuds via direct purchase or lucky drawing
• No guaranteed outcomes in random drawing

Now that you’re familiar with the distinctive features, functionality, and potential drawbacks of the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds, it’s time to answer the big question: How can you get your hands on a pair?

Your Acquisition Options: Buy or Win?

There are currently two routes you can follow to acquire these earbuds.

1. Purchasing outright: If you’re impressed with what you’ve read and can’t wait to immerse yourself in the Skull Candy experience, then making a direct purchase could be your go-to option. However, be mindful of the compatibility requirements we discussed earlier. The product is currently priced at 78.99, which, considering its features and functionalities, offers quite a bang for the buck.
2. Winning them: Another intriguing way of gaining ownership of these earbuds is by entering a drawing. Yes, it’s not guaranteed like a purchase, but on the bright side, it could save you some bucks if lady luck sides with you. This option adds a fun element to the entire process. After all, who doesn’t enjoy winning tech gadgets?

How to Win them: At no cost, Only for Subscribers

The process to enter the drawing is exceedingly straightforward. However, it requires you to follow certain rules outlined by the competition handlers. They’re primarily focused on engagement factors. While the concept of winning might sound alluring, remember there are no guaranteed outcomes in a random drawing. Either way, wouldn’t it be exciting if your entry were to be selected? That’s a win-win situation, right?

Being aware of both scenarios provides you with an informed choice: to buy or try your luck. Whichever route you decide to take, ensure it aligns well with your expectations from the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds.

Conclusion

That’s a wrap on my thorough examination of the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds with Voice Control and I must say they’ve hit quite a few sweet spots. They deliver on some great aspects, balancing aesthetics, functionality, and technology, making them worth considering in the competitive wireless earbuds market.

Final Impressions

The Grind earbuds not only look cool but also boast considerable comfort for extended listening sessions. Their audio performance is pretty impressive, delivering powerful bass without drowning out the mids and high ends. The integrated EQ options within the app allow fine-tuning to match personal preferences, which is indeed thoughtful.

Potential Deal-Breakers

While there’s a lot to cherish about these earbuds, they do not exist without their shortcomings. The prominent one being the overquoted battery life. An advertised nine hours that barely stretches past five hours on a single charge is a potential deal-breaker for some.

In addition, while the Skull IQ worked well in quieter environments, it struggled a bit amidst loud noises. This limitation could impact the user experience significantly, especially for those using them in busy or noisy environments.

Would I Recommend Them?

Yes, and no. If you’re sporting a newer phone model and can tolerate relatively shorter battery life, then these Grind earbuds would make a fantastic choice, given their unique features like built-in tile finding tech and active noise cancellation. However, if long-lasting battery life is a deal-breaker for you, you might want to consider other options.

Final Verdict

So, despite their shortcomings, the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless Earbuds still managed to score a respectable 8 out of 10. In essence, they package impressive sound, sleek design, and smart tech neatly, although with room for improvement. In the world of wireless earbuds, they surely have their place.

Moving Forward

Keep an open ear for our next product showcasing, as there’s always something new, exciting, and potentially perfect for you just around the corner. As always, be sure you do your homework and decide what’s most important to you before making any purchasing decisions.

Should you buy the Skullcandy Grind In-Ear Wireless Earbuds?

Buy it if…

You are keen on unique, tech-savvy features

Integrated features like Skull IQ Voice Control and Tile Finding Tech, along with the Skull Candy App, make these earbuds cutting-edge and stand out from its competitors.

You value style and comfort

With a cool and sleek design, that is comfortable for long-use sessions, these earbuds are a perfect fit for style-conscious, avid music listeners.

You appreciate strong sound quality

With powerful bass that doesn’t drown the mids and high end, along with EQ options in the app, these earbuds provide an exceptional sound experience.

Don’t buy it if…

You need longer battery life

If you’re looking for earbuds that can last well beyond 5 hours on a single charge, these might not live up to your expectations.

Your mobile device runs on an older operating system

The Skull Candy App is only compatible with Android 10 or newer or iOS 12 or newer. If you have an older operating system, you might not be able to access all the features.

You use earbuds in a noisy environment

While Skull IQ works well in quieter settings, it may struggle to perform accurately in noisy surroundings.

FAQ

What’s in the box when purchasing Skull Candy Grind Earbuds?

The box contains the earbuds inside its charging case and a USB-C charging cable.

How durable is the Skull Candy Grind in terms of sweat and water resistance?

The earbuds are rated IP55 for sweat and water resistance.

What’s the total battery life of the Skull Candy Grind?

It is advertised that the charging case should provide 31 hours in addition to the 9 hours of the battery in the earbuds. However, actual playback time on a single charge in testing proved to be closer to 5 hours.

What is the unique ‘Tile Finding’ feature?

This is a built-in tech that allows users to ring their earbuds from the Tile app if lost.

What is Skull IQ?

Skull IQ is Skull Candy’s smart voice control technology which allows users to perform a range of tasks at the command of their voice.

Are there any device compatibility issues with the Skull Candy app?

Yes, the Skull Candy app is only compatible with Android 10 or newer and iOS 12 or newer.

What’s the cost of the Skull Candy Grind True Wireless earbuds?

The product is available for purchase at $78.99.

How can I win a pair of Skull Candy Grind earbuds?

You need to subscribe to the channel, like the review video and leave a comment with a specific hashtag provided in the video.