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Aviator - Red w/Mic
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Aviator: USA Today Skullcandy Aviator Headphone Review
September 13, 2012
If you insist on listening to music after (or during) a gnarly day on the slopes, these musical earmuffs might appeal to you. With a high maximum volume and decent tracking, these over-ear headphones can provide a bumpin' soundtrack while you think about how extreme you were out on the hill.
Read More...Clearly these headphones aren't for everyone, but for someone willing to shell out extra dough for non-vanilla studio headphones, these beasts beat the Monster Beats in construction and sound.
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Aviator: Skullcandy Aviator
May 1, 2012
Publication: InnerFidelity.com
"The way it was, is not the way it is." - Jamie Oman, Skullcandy Director of Product Developement
Over the course of two days I had conversations with Dan Levine, Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer; Pete Kelly, Director of Industrial Design; and Jamie Oman, Director of Product Developement for Skullcandy.Read More...I asked very direct questions about their intentions from the outset, and throughout the design and development process with regard to the sound quality goals of the Aviators, and I was pleasantly surprised with the answers.
About 2 1/2 years ago, Rick Alden (Skullcandy's founder) decided that Skullcandy needed to be in the game as a serious headphone maker. I think a little context is in order: "in the game" and "serious" is not expressed by these guys in the smooth tones of suited corporate MBA drones. These guys ride boards on snow and surf; they see themselves as just one division of the action-sports army; the one there to provide the tunes. From Skullcandy's SEC filing:
"Our brand symbolizes youth and rebellion, and embodies our motto, "Every revolution needs a soundtrack."
When their "serious" talk about "getting in the game" contained phrases like "successfully implement our growth strategy" or "manufacturer selection and qualification program" or "stylizing a previously-commoditized product and capitalizing on the increasing pervasiveness, portability and personalization of music," it felt a lot more like they were saying "I popped a kick-flip to Nollie on the bench, then smooved a 5-0 grind to Caballerial on the concrete, dude" than some soulless accountant-speak. I liked these guys. In the last two years they've double their engineering staff; spent a half-million bucks on R&D gear for labs here in the States and at their facility in China; and have gotten so serious about premium product this statement appears as one of five major growth strategies in their SEC filing:
"Grow Our Premium Product Offering." - To date, the vast majority of our products have been priced in the $10 to $70 range. With our recently introduced $150 Aviator headphones and $250 Mix Master headphones, we have begun to expand our premium headphone offering and believe we can increase our share of this growing market. By offering premium products, we believe we can further strengthen our brand and broaden our reach to consumers with greater discretionary income. "After a couple of hours on the phone with these guys, I hung-up quite convinced there is a remarkably good possibility we will be hearing better sounding headphones from Skullcandy in the future.
Summary
The terrifically good looking Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator (from $149) is also the best sounding "lifestyle" headphone I've heard to date ... by a wide margin. Head-to-head with all headphones of its type and price, the Aviator compares well against the established bests-of-breed. Understandably, the Aviator falls a bit short in bass extension when compared to the cans with larger earpieces and tighter seals around the ear; but it bests most in its ability to deliver a wonderfully balanced and cheerful sound.If you don't want to walk around with a fugly-black-but-maybe-slightly-better-sounding-lump-of-highly-engineered-plastic on your head, you'll be glad to know I'm giving the Aviators a big thumbs-up with my left hand ... and throwing up an index finger and pinky up with my right. Highly, highly recommended.
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Aviator: Jillian Michaels: What's in My Bag?
February 29, 2012
US Weekly
Food, clothes, a flashlight and a weapon?
"I'm planning for the apocalypse," Jillian Michaels, 38, jokes to Us Weekly about her on-the-go essentials including a Benchmade tactical pen given to her by a Vietnam vet.
Music to her Ears
"My Skullcandy headphones are the most important thing ever.
Read More...They're these giant 1970s brown leather style with gold trim and they're amazing to work out in strangely enough."
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Aviator: Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Review
April 29, 2011
Publication: PC Mag
Summary
Cool design based on Aviator sunglasses. Quality bass response with barely any distortion at maximum volume.Read More...Integrated Apple iPhone/iPod mic and controls.
Skullcandy's Roc Nation Aviator headphones take design cues from that staple of American style, Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses, and branding from Jay-Z's music and entertainment company. Somewhere in the earpieces, which are shaped like Aviator lenses, there are drivers that pump out audio, too. Needless to say, the Aviator is quite the fashion statement. At $149.99 (direct), however, they need to deliver quality audio performance as well, and the Aviator offers a hit-and-miss experience, mixing deep bass that generally does not distort, with treble that seems a bit too sculpted and boosted. The built-in microphone and playback controls for the Apple iPhone (4 stars, $199 and up) and iPods are a nice touch, but the Aviator suffers from a weak physical construction and is not a serious choice for audiophiles.
Design
The Roc Nation Aviator comes in three styles—white, brown and gold, and black. The headphones truly look cool. Our black test unit features transparent "lenses" as the plastic covering over the earpieces, allowing for a glimpse at the innards of the headphones. On the inside of the rounded-triangles that form the ear cups, there is plush padding that comfortably envelopes your ear. This type of headphone, which creates a loose seal, is called circumaural.The headphones are easily adjustable and feature cushioned, pseudo-suede padding on the inside of the headband. The logo for Roc Nation appears on each ear piece, and the Skullcandy logo—an ominous upper half of a human skull—appears above each ear on the headband and once again on the 3.5-inch cable connection. The nylon cable extends from the left ear, and roughly four inches below the ear cup, the mic, and Apple playback controls (for Volume, Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, as well a button for starting and ending calls) are built into a silver-colored plastic compartment. The headphones fold up into a more portable size and they come with a stylish zip-up, pseudo-leather pouch.
While the headphones manage to look exceedingly cool without screaming for attention—kind of like the real Aviator sunglasses—the actual construction is a little flimsy for a $150 investment. Lightly pressing on the inside of the left ear cup lightly—where there happens to be yet another emblazoned Skull logo—temporarily disabled the left ear's drivers. Another press, and the music came back, but I had to repeat this step a few times before the nuisance permanently ceased. A $150 pair of headphones should be able to withstand this sort of activity. When I got the headphones working properly again, the Aviators were comfortable and offered a very solid listening experience. But I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that they're not exactly durable.
Performance
Unfortunately, the Apple controls and mic don't mix well with our HEAD Acoustics frequency-response tests, so we are unable to run frequency response graphs. I can tell you that the performance, from ear-to-ear, is reasonably well-matched—it's quite similar to the KRK Systems KNS-8400 (4 stars, $149) linear frequency response, which is a more-than-acceptable result.Bass response is on par with headphones in this price range. The Knife's "Silent Shout," which has tremendous low end, can be played at maximum volume without serious distortion. Occasionally, I heard the synth drum hits distort slightly, but only at the very highest level, and even this was minor. At normal-to-loud listening levels, the Aviator has no problem reproducing heavy bass, but the treble can often be too bright and intense. Ironically, on Jay-Z's "99 Problems", this is one problem that is apparent—at moderate-to-high volumes, it is almost uncomfortable to listen because the treble is so boosted in certain ranges. On orchestral music, like John Adams's "The Chairman Dances," the high end is still quite present but seems less tweaked and the overall balance is more agreeable. It's probable that pop music, which often has modified high frequencies to begin with, is going to suffer from the inherent brightness the most.
In this general price range, you have a couple more music-friendly headphone options (and plenty of in-ear options), but nothing quite so visually arresting. The same-price KRK Systems KNS-8400 is a great option for home studio engineers and audiophiles on a budget, but it looks like a pair of studio monitors. The Denon AH-D1100 (4.5 stars, $199.99) splits the difference, from a design standpoint, between a more stylish pair of headphones and a studio monitor look, and the extra $50 gets you audio performance worthy of our Editors' Choice. Still, for bridging an oft-ignored gap between style and performance, the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator is to be commended—but I still think it's a bit overpriced.
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Aviator: Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Headphones
April 24, 2011
Publication: Cnet
The good: The stylish Roc Nation Aviator headphones reach beyond Skullcandy's tween demographic and bring a sophisticated look and detailed sound design to the mobile market.
The bottom line: The style-savvy Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator headphones earn our recommendation for balancing a unique thematic design with exceptional clarity in spite of a slightly passive low-end response.
Skullcandy continues to pursue its youthful listening-device niche with the Aviators, a collaborative effort with Roc Nation, a music publishing and entertainment company founded by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z.
Read More...The $150 on-ear headphones are among the priciest cans the company offers and we have doubts about the price considering the younger demographic, but an attractive retro design, an in-line remote control that doubles as a microphone, and impressive sound quality merit a high score and our recommendation to anyone shopping for a new set of headphones.
Design and features
The Roc Nation Aviator headphones are the first we've seen from Skullcandy that carry a subtle aesthetic--the rest of the company's offerings redefine the meaning of words like "bulky" and "overbuilt," but the Roc Nation Aviators bring an elegant flavor to the product lineup with three color choices (Black, Brown Gold, and White) that all feature a pliable leather headband and light branding on the silver connection points and inside the earcups as well.The two earpieces build on a classic egg shape that invokes the spirit of the aviator sunglasses famously worn by Erik Estrada's character in the '70s TV show "CHiPs." Skullcandy modernizes the classic headphone shape with a translucent outer earcup shell that lets you check out the 40mm speakers and Mylar drivers inside.
Like all over-ear headphones, you can make size adjustments to the Aviators by pulling up and down on the polished silver slide rail that forms the curved shape of the headband. The frame also bends at the top of the both earcups, allowing you to fold them into the headband for safe storage, although we're worried that the continued joint strain from folding and unfolding could damage the structural integrity over the long run.
That said, the rest of the build quality is top-notch; Skullcandy goes the extra mile to reinforce the cable connection that's notorious for headphone hardware failure, and the tough polycarbonate frame forms a protective skeleton for the vinyl-lined headband. We're also assured that the Aviators will withstand a beating thanks to the nylon-braided cable that extends 1.3 meters past the left earcup, but we hope Skullcandy will push its durability further and allow detachable cables in future versions.
The single-sided cable design minimizes annoying tangles and the wire also has a light plastic remote several inches down that you can use to navigate music playback on your Android or iPhone-powered smartphone. Finally, the cord terminates in a straight and narrow plug to fit a universe of existing devices and cases.
We used the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators intermittently for over a week and have few complaints about the fit and shape of the headphones. The plush leather ear protectors create a loose seal that lets you hear ambient noise while also keeping your music between your ears with adequate sound isolation. The headphones are surprisingly light considering the stainless steel accents, and you also get plenty of room within the wide pyramidal-shape earcups to accommodate a range of ear sizes.
Performance
The majority of Skullcandy headphones appeal to the younger market that values bass response over all other instruments, but the Roc Nation Aviators have a sound signature that sways more toward the midrange, with a balanced treble sparkle comparable to the Klipsch Image One headphones.After spending a week listening to all types of music through the headphones, we get the impression that the Skullcandys' open soundstage is better suited for genres driven by string instruments like rock and country, whereas the Image Ones boast a fuller and richer tonal balance that lends itself well to hip-hop and techno.
That's not to say that the Roc Nation Aviators can't handle tracks laden with drum machines and synthesizers--tracks from Nicki Minaj's "Pink Friday" album sound more defined with the Aviators. It's easier to pick out the individual harmonies and focus on the clear vocals without an obtrusive bass peak throwing off the other frequencies.
However, if you prefer the booming nature of extended bass in your headphones, we recommend the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio that border on excessively low-end-heavy thanks to an extra boost from a digital amplifier. Prepare to pay a premium, however, as the Dr. Dre Studios will set you back $300, double the cost of the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators.
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Aviator: Skullcandy Aviator Offers Audiophiles Food for Thought
March 25, 2011
Publication: Wired Magazine
Skullcandy is known for making headphones that put fashion first and sound quality second.
You’ve probably seen its krazy-kool neon and graffiti-splattered cans stacked up for sale in mall kiosks, or clamped to the dome of some young’n on a skateboard as he whisks by and spills your latte all over your Haggar slacks.
The company’s demo skews young, and we all know the kids don’t necessarily care if their music sounds good, as long as it’s loud. Needless to say, Skullcandy’s headphones haven’t ever scored high marks among audiophiles. Being one of these snobbish elites, my expectations were not inflated when I received a shipment of Roc Nation Aviators, a set of headphones cross-branded with Jay-Z and LiveNation’s Roc Nation promotions outfit.
Skullcandy is angling the $150 set as its first foray into audiophile territory. It’s a shrewd move. All those tweens who grew up on Skullcandy cans are now graduating to adulthood, collecting their first real paychecks and looking to upgrade all the little things in their lives. And maybe they’ve outgrown the desire to wear bright pink skulls on their ears.
The Aviators’ styling is unique and fashionable, but not garish. True to the name, they’re reminiscent of the iconic aviator sunglasses. They have see-through plastic over-the-ear cups, leather pads, suede headband, nylon cord and chrome accents along the edges. Three colors are available: white, black and brown/gold.
So, they’re not ugly. That’s a plus, I thought. But then I put them on and — wait a minute, these actually sound pretty good. Not amazing, but much better than anything else I’ve heard from Skullcandy thus far.
The Aviators can get a little abrasive at times, especially when you’re listening to modern rock or techno. And the bass isn’t as present as I’d like it to be. Hip-hop sounds oddly tinny. But put on some mellower stuff that hasn’t been amped up to appeal to today’s ADHD standards — Nina Simone, Cat Power, James Blake, singer-songwriter stuff, classic rock — and the Aviators impress. My headphone nerd friends were all curious, so we passed them around and everyone agreed: solid.
Read More...They perform particularly well in quieter settings. Walking around on the street or riding on a city bus, I found the thin plastic shell didn’t do the best job of blocking out exterior noise. But indoors, in the park or at my desk, they were comfortable to listen to — and to wear — for long stretches.
There’s a remote with a built-in mic on the cord, so you can talk on the phone, change the volume, pause the song and skip tracks. The connector fits the iPhone (with a bumper, even) and all the Android phones I tried.
There’s also a companion app for the iPhone, iPad and Android. Version 2 of the Skullcandy App was just released earlier this month, so I tried it out. It has a library of streaming music that fits the “brand lifestyle” — lots of great West Coast hip-hop and some atrocious Sublime-wanna-be ska-punk — as well as streaming videos of skaters, surfers and snowboarders getting rad. The design is tidy. One cool feature: a map that shows the locations of local skateparks, ski resorts and surf spots, complete with current conditions.
But back to the Aviators. They’re not bad at all, even if they are a little steep. At $150, you can certainly buy a better set of over-the-ear cans. I won’t be trading these for my ATH-M50s or my Shure SRH750 DJ headphones, both of which are in the same price range and out-perform the Skullcandies. But while those are giant Cadillacs, these Aviators are more like a spry Miata. They fold up for travel, they’re comfortable and extremely light, and they come with a handsome leather case. So if you need a set of over-the-ear headphones that can squeeze into a fanny pack, the Aviators are a good choice.
They might actually turn some heads, too.
WIRED Surprisingly good sound. Light and comfortable. They fold up and slip into a svelte travel case. Charming retro styling already matches your sunglasses.
TIRED Priced at $150, but they perform more like $90. Chrome and plastic assembly is light, but feels a little flimsy.
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Value
Quality
Comfort
Excellent but...
May 2nd, 2013
by Jonathan
The first pair I got of these was wonderful, I got it in black, and I only had them for a couple months. But then as I was putting them on one night one side did not have any audio in the ear. So I got the warranty and got a new pair. The second pair was red and it looks really stylish and I have really enjoyed the sound quality. My main complaint for these headphones is the build quality, my experience as far as build quality has not been good. I'm on my second pair right now and there is rattling in one ear, and it's not in very good condition for only being 2 months old. In conclusion these are better than any beats headphones you could buy for a cheaper price and the sound quality is amazing for the price, but the build quality is not up to par for me but I would still recommend these to anyone just because of there stylish look.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Wow!
April 21st, 2013
by Henry M. Wood
These are actually the best headphones I have ever had. I mean this is the first day I've had them but I can tell you straight after I got them and started to use them. It made my mood completely the opposite. I was having a really bad day and these headphones made me smile and I couldn't stop smiling. Thank you skullcandy. Just thank you.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Not the airport headphones lol :) Excellent when equalized!
April 10th, 2013
by Bryan F. Carpio
Excellent Balanced Headphones To start off the Aviators are constructed very well. I've owned a lot of skullcandy headphones and the Aviators have the best construction. Sorry 300$ Mix Masters :P The leather and the shape of the earcups make them very comfortable, the thin metal in the headband makes them flexible so you shouldn't be afraid of breaking them. Sound is amazing too. For the Bass freaks they will not satisfy. In the other hand the mids and highs sound natural and with no distortion. I equalize my music and I got a very favorable amount of bass with high dB on the lower frequencies. The aviators still handled it. Along with them the cable is very nice until the threads begin to loosen then it will tangle but in durability it will still work. The case is beautifully made of leather and has good detail in it. It keeps them from scratches and clean. For the price, get them! They are light comfortable and sound great; even better if you equalize your music!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Great stuff
March 26th, 2013
by Skullcandyfavor
I got the aviators just the other day. After reading reviews and asking friends about goods and bads about over ear headphones, I decided to get them. They first of all look super cool. The triangle shape fits your ear very well. They do have mini subwuphers in them. (If you want proof listen to the Harlem shake. Great!) the padding on top is soft so if you just want to put it on your neck its fine. It comes with a case with cleaner and manual. I love the mic., its super useful. Overall I'm glad I bought them. P.S. if your trying to decide between studio beats and aviators... Aviators is overall better.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Second Pair
March 13th, 2013
by Ray
I had aviators for years without any problems, but when I upgraded to the mixmasters I thought I wasn't going to miss them and I gave them to my brother(which are still going strong). Boy was I wrong. The structure of these headphones are superior to any Skullcandys in the market. The sound is very sharp and clear. I wish it would have much better bass but I would sacrifice Bass for the clarity of this headphone.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Comfort
Fantastic
March 13th, 2013
by Mary
The Aviator is hands down the best looking set on the market. Even better is its spin your head around sound, bam!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Favorite Headphones at a great price!!
February 7th, 2013
by Victor
I'm on my second set of aviators. First pair lasted me about a year and a half of heavy use before the microphone gave out. They were soon replaced by another set of Aviators from Skull Candy's lifetime warranty. I first tested these at an Apple store and was blown away when I realized they were Skull Candy. These are the most comfortable over the ear headphones I have used. For a medium sized head and ears, the cups do not touch my ears, giving me hours of comfortable listening. I'm not an audiophile, but I do enjoy my music. These headphones have a perfect balance of bass and treble for my needs. They are not noise cancelling, but I wasn't looking for a set of noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are pricier in the Skull Candy lineup, but I think they are well worth it for the comfort alone.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Aviators quality
February 2nd, 2013
by Peter
I bought aviators yesterday and they are very good. My friend has Beats Studio and the bass is more clear with aviators and the highs too. Aviators are more comfortable, but studios have noise cancelling and they are overpriced. I still prefer aviators :D Good work skullcandy
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Great sound quality, great comfort
January 23rd, 2013
by Dan
When I bought these headphones I was extremely pleased with the great sound quality and how comfy they were. I could wear them for hours without even noticing i was wearing them. The only problems I had were that the sound leaked quite a bit when the volume was over 70% or so. Also after 6 months the right ear stopped working, but the lifetime warranty saved me
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Another Success by Skullcandy.
January 18th, 2013
by Jonah
I have owned a pair of aviators for over 5 months now, and they have not shown any sign of wear. They are very durable, as well as super stylish, nice to wear around the neck. They are also ridiculously comfortable, light to the touch, but play some music and they blow you away. These are the clearest cans I've ever heard, despite my range of headphones I've used. Beats, Senheiser, to name a few. The bass is tight and strong, not overpowering, but enough to maintain a spotlight for the crisp mids and clear highs. They are well rounded for any genre of music, an they are certainly the greatest cans in their price range. I would highly recommend these to anyone, as they can take on any music genre with ease.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Just as good as Beats
January 12th, 2013
by Erin
I got these for Christmas and i absolutely love these. These far exceed my expectations. When i am listening to music its like i am in my own world they are that good. These are just as good as beats if not better and more comfortable.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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These are amazing!
January 4th, 2013
by Zac W.
I just bought a set of these about a week ago and I have been nothing but impressed with the design, the sound quality, and the functionality of these headphones. The neo-retro style looks awesome in the gold/brown colors; these headphones simply look awesome. As a DJ/producer, I am extremely picky about the quality of my tunes, and these do not disappoint. I have spent countless hours listening to music just to fathom at the quality of the sound these headphones produce. All genres of music sound great! And not to mention how comfortable they are, it feels like clouds are on my ears. The Aviator creates a perfect balance of bass and treble, creating a beautiful tone. I put these on in my living room and I am completely surrounded by whatever I am listening to. I cannot vouch for the durability, however, as I have only had them for a week. In short, these are excellent headphones for the price, and I am nothing but impressed with another great Skullcandy product.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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A great alternative to Beats!
January 2nd, 2013
by Nick Tandy
I was lucky enough to try these alongside a selection of Sennheiser, Beats, Fender and a few other makes. Of the lot the top end aluminium beats are still the king - JUST. At twice the price the Aviators walk all over them, i was lucky enough to be given a pair of white ones for Christmas and are the best headphones i've owned, fantastic spacialisation, great drive at the bottom end, clear and precise treble delivery, they deliver almost everything the beats ones do for a lot less investment. The memory foam ear pads make them incredibly easy to wear for long periods of time, they maybe don't shut out as much noise as the beats but the sound delivery makes up for it. If you're seriously considering paying out over £300 for a set of Beats headphones please try these first - you won't be disappointed, I know i'm not!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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better than beats
December 30th, 2012
by Gm
i bought it yesterday and i think that they have the best sound ever!!!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Awesome!!!!
December 24th, 2012
by Hackettttttt
I just got the customized aviators and they are great! the sound quality is great and are very comfortable. I had a pair of beats mixr's and they are pretty good. but those broke so i got these and they are way better. sound quality is about the same between the 2 but these are way more comfortable. the only thing i can find wrong is that the caps rattle a bit. But, all in all i think these headphones are the best i have ever had.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Just Amazing!
December 13th, 2012
by Bichoy
I have just got my Aviator and I was astonished by the quality of its sound and its stunning look! A real masterpiece for those who got ears!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Simply Amazing
November 25th, 2012
by Markaus H
I'm only 16 but I have heard many pairs of headphones. Skullcandy did an amazing job with these headphones. The vocal are angel perfect and the bass is just right. These don't have bass that will make your ears hurt, it is just perfect. Vocals are like a church choir. Mids are hit perfect and lows and highs are mid blowing. I'm not Skullcandy fanboy, or no paid promoter, I'm just a kid with the low of music and great appreciation of whoever can enhance the music in which i listen to.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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November 16th, 2012
by
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Good sound, Mediocre everything else
November 14th, 2012
by Mitchell C
In terms of sound, they are a great value and offer very compelling high, mids, and lows. I am literally hearing things in my music that my old earbuds never produced. They have good fidelity and handle any volume level very well, never allowing a frequency to be washed out or overpowered. For most audiophiles they should be able to meet their need for a wide range of balanced sound while staying true to the source. I will say, however, for the mainstream listeners who enjoy profuse amounts of bass, these may leave you feeling a little underwhelmed. Personally, I enjoy the fidelity over the "boom" factor of bass. Unfortunately, I cannot use these because they offer literally no sound isolation, external or internal sound. On both side of the cups there is simply too much unintended noise being emitted to allow for an enjoyable listening experience when you aren't in a quiet, and isolated place. Any levels above half your volume scale and your seat neighbor on the bus WILL hear the sequels of whatever you're listening to. Likewise, anything below half your volume scale and you will hear every sniffle, snort, mumble and roar that is happening around you. I use public transportation all the time and walk all around my college campus and am rarely in quiet or private places, therefore I need to isolation both ways and these headphones simply do not offer any whatsoever. Also, the braided wire transmits a lot of noise through the left cup, a problem exacerbated by large winter jacket collars that rub the wire when walking, which again, I do a lot of. Finally, while build quality seems above average, I was disappointed with the color-matching of the frame and cups for this red model. The painted red metal and the plastic red are two completely different hues that look cheap when you see them together. The plastic red appears lighter than the painted metallic parts which reminds me of the way plastics fade when subjected to too much sun exposure. This is a problem exclusive to the red headsets though, and shouldn't be a problem on the other headset color combos that intend to have different color finishes and hues.
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outstanding!
November 11th, 2012
by Sienna
Took the Aviators for a spin in the store and I was absolutely left speechless! The quality of these headphones is outstanding and i definitely recommend at least giving them a try.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Good Experience Overall
November 2nd, 2012
by Doug
These are excellent headphones. The sound is excellent. The comfort is wonderful. They style is obviously awesome. One flaw, I am going on my 3rd pair because the cord broke on two of them. I use them very often, probably way more than the average person. But, it's just normal use, and the cord should be designed to handle years of normal use, not months. However, because of the lifetime warranty, and the exceptional service I have received from Skullcandy. I still give them 5 stars overall. The pros far outweigh the one con.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Soo much better than beats by dre
October 30th, 2012
by Xenio
My original idea was waiting to buy beats solo HD but then i tried them at my friends house...and it left speachless they where terribble for SUCH a huge price...so i switched over to skullcandy and they NEVER dissapoint me NEVER even the earbuds are good so keep going skullcandy!!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Spectacular
October 17th, 2012
by Chrispy G
Style, comfort, sound quality, these are all factors to consider when buying headphones. Most headphones focus on one and sacrifice in another area. There are ultra stylish and comfortable headphones that sound like total garbage, and then there are cans that produce sound from the gods and look like something a gargoyle might regurgitate. However, skullcandy saw this problem in the world of headphones and decided to do something about it; introducing the Skullcandy Aviator. These cans not only surpass the competition in style and comfort but also sound quality. Finally a good looking pair of sturdy headphones that sound good...wait not good, AMAZING! The sound staging (imaging) of the aviator is superb. You can really hear the depth in the music as it surrounds you and draws you in. For sure the forte in terms of sound are the vocals and mid highs. The balance is spectacular and makes for a very enjoyable headphone. The bass is very clean but at times it doesn't extend into the lower octaves. I would recommend these headphones to someone who likes rock, alternative, metal, classical, or any other vocal/mids and high focused. For stuff like dubstep, rap, drum and bass, and other bass heavy genres I would go with the Hesh 2.0 or if you are willing to spend a little more then defiantly go for the Mix Masters. for sound I give it a more than respectable 9/10. As far as build quality you can't beat the Aviators. Sure Skullcandy has had quality issues in the past but my goodness they did their best work on making these cans bulletproof. The earcup adjustment is very tight and gives you reassuring clicks as you move the housings up and down. The folding motion is very fluid and has just enough resistance to prevent the speakers from flopping around uselessly. (8/10) Now comfort. No question these are one of the most comfortable headphones on the market. The deep leather earpads sit perfectly on you head and provide just the right amount of cushion. The overall weight is very low so the headband won't fatigue your head. One complaint I do have is the poor sound isolation. In loud environments it can be difficult to hear your music, however at loud volumes it can be tolerated. The noise leakage is very low so others won't hear what you're listening to when you blast the tunes. (10/10 for comfort, 5/10 for isolation) In the end these are extremely desirable headphones that are outrageously comfortable, sound amazing, look fantastic, built like a tank, and hold the best warranty known to mankind. I can say I have suggested these to all of my friends that have asked about a new pair of headphones in this price range and will continue to do so until someone can match the value, quality, comfort, style, and sound of these amazing headphones. Skullcandy you know what you are doing! Keep pumpin' cans out and rock on!!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Got these when they first came out
October 16th, 2012
by Christopher
Build quality is top notch. I've had these for close to 2 years, and they are still holding up everyday use! They are my favorite pair for sure. They show no signs of going any time soon, and whenever they do, I'll just get another pair! The sound is crisp, clean and always where I need it. I can wear these with glasses and my larger frame sunglasses as well. No comfort problems what so ever. These headphones are truly an investment you won't be sorry about!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Not for people who wear glasses
October 16th, 2012
by Imrik
As always skull candy does not disappoint with fantastic sound quality and exquisite design. However I bought these in hope that an over ear headphone would hurt less than an on hear headphone while wearing glasses, as the ear piece of the glasses being pressed into your head for several hours can become extremely painful. Unfortunately this was not the case, they actually ended up hurting even more. If you don't wear glasses then you should have no problem with comfort, these are top notch. If however you, like me, are in search of a pair to comfortably wear with glasses, stay away.
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They're good. No doubt.
October 12th, 2012
by Drew
I've had these headphones since July of 2011. They sound just as good if not better than anything I've ever listened to. I've ran with them on four times a week and the quality has remained the same since the day I got them out of the box. They're durable for sure. If these ever break, I'll buy some more identical ones the next day. They're also relatively inexpensive compared to the brands they compete with. I've never been a die-hard fan of any particular brand of anything, but Skullcandy pretty much owns my ears from now on.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Best sound for this price
October 7th, 2012
by Jo
I love these things! The sound is THE best I've seen, and they're ultra comfy! I've dropped these about 100 times, and the glass is still intact and the sound stays the same. The cord is the only thing I'd complain about. It's pretty flimsy, but you can just go and buy one for about $20 at any tech shop. The cord's detachable so you can just plug in any old cord to fix it. All my friends always complement me on how good they look, and they go with just about anything. If you're considering buying these, do! They last forever, and the sound stays great unlike Beats. A definite must-have for any music addict.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
The first edition were good, I'm expecting this new style to be AWESOME
September 30th, 2012
by Rob Clark Jr
Was looking for a good quality pair of headphones at a fair price. Beats were to much and plastic, as with the rest of the popular head phones. Did my research online, went to best buy and tried them. I bought the all black. At the time, there were only 2 color combos. Fell in love with them. Between music, laptop, and broadcasting, I wore them constantly for almost 2 months. Until the headphone jack started going bad. Used a piece of heat shrink tubing to help fix the issue. Month later, they stopped working all together. Was so upset I just put them in my closet. I watched a review on the newer style (by accident actually) and noticed the new model has a user replaceable head phone cable (which they should have done in the first place). I am super excited about this, and will be shipping my broken ones out ASAP and eagerly awaiting my replacement code so I can pick up the new style, in green and black. I have to say, these headphones provide great quality sound across the board, are durable and super comfortable. Now that the cord issue (which has happened to every pair of headphones I have owned) is user replaceable, I don't see me ever buying another style headphones (as long as I can order a second cord or they can add one in when I get my replacements, I do not see them on the site at this time). Side note: When you first buy them, the highs are a bit tinny. Give them time. Like all High quality headphones, the speaker drivers need to break in. I would plug mine into a music source and play dubstep for about 1.5 hours straight every night for a week at around 65% volume. I didnt even listen to them, just left them sitting in the other room while I did other things. Helped break them in real quick.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
FOR BASS LOVERS OUT THERE!
September 16th, 2012
by Callum
I got fixed up with these after breaking my G.I's (thanks to lifetime warranty!) and I have to say these headphones are by far the most crisp and clear sounding headphone in every aspect of sound quality. I personally listen to DUBSTEP and these headphones keep the bass heavy with no distortion what so ever. An even clearer experience with rock and acoustic. I thought the bass could have a little more kick, but listening to other branded headphones, the bass in these will make you a proud owner of such excellent headphones. Build quality = 9/10 Looks = 10/10 Overall = Amazing headphone, well worth the money with lifetime warranty, can't ask for anything more.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
A Must have for mobile.
September 9th, 2012
by Roger
If you are constantly on the go, these headphones are for you, they are probably the best over-the-ear headphones for mobile devices.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
UNBEATABLE!!!
September 8th, 2012
by Thomas
I've had a pair of white aviators for about a year and I've used a bit of headphones and tried some other brands, and no pair of headphones compare to the unbeatable Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators. Comfy, stylish, crystal clear sound, no other headphone has all of these and more, unlike the Aviators. Anyone who likes to listen to music with style, great sound, and a life changing experience should get these perfect headphones!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Mind Blowing
September 8th, 2012
by Jonah
I just got my Chrome/Black Aviators, and when I opened the box, I had no idea that they would look THAT good. The solid build was complimented by the shiny silver rims and cups. So much better than the photos. And then I tried them on....my ears were in heaven the moment the soft ear cushion touched them. So I turned some music on, and my mind EXPLODED. The precise highs teamed with clear vocals, and the kicking bass backed it up. These headphones are perfect in every way.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Avaitors BRN/Gold
August 31st, 2012
by Willie griffin
The Best I`ve ever Had & Heard . Quality Workmanship, Superior Sound. And they look better than BEYON`CE
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
AVIATORS
August 29th, 2012
by Flower child
THESE ROCK !!!! I'm an old hippy and my first set of headphones included a curly cord that needed to be plugged into my stereo receiver. Believe me, the best test for these is to listen to some classic 'headphones only' tunes by Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin . . . . ROCK ON !!!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Great for rock and metal!
August 25th, 2012
by Mark Ryan
The sound quality is very crisp and clear! I have owned two skullcrushers for about a year now, as with skullcrushers the bass is to over powering with rock and metal genres of music and makes it hard to hear the words in the songs. So, I decided to get the Aviators because I heard from another metal head that they were great for rock and metal. I totally agree with my friend they are ideal for rock and metal! Don’t get me wrong the bass is still really good for rap and dubstep! There are only two things I think that could pose a problem; one is the cord is small in width which could be easily lost, and second thing is the sound canceling is to the greatest, it blocks about 50% of room noise. But over all I would recommend the Aviators for anyone who enjoys music in excellent sound quality! They are worth every penny! 5 out of 5 stars hands down!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
Quality
Comfort
Beast Quality And Comfort
August 23rd, 2012
by Holly
The Skullcandy Avaitors are the best Skullcandy With the beast Quality and confort
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Pillows for your ears
August 20th, 2012
by Tina
i have tried several different types of overhear headphones in my day and I must say that I have NEVER worn a pair as comfortable as the Skullcandy Aviator. Not only is the comfort amazing but the sound quality is impeccable! The aviators sleek design and color options will have heads turning for sure!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Aviators = my favorite SC headphones!
August 15th, 2012
by Billy REEF
So, first thing I need to say is that I've had 5 different Skullcandy headphones and 4 of them broke or lost sound in one ear. This sounds like a bad thing but if you think about it, headphones of all brands do this, regular wear will beat up the cable connections, it's just a fact of life. So, Skullcandy has it figured out, they know how to keep their customers happy. My personal example: all 4 of those SC headphones that broke on me were replaced without an extra dollar out of my pocket. The warranty program is the bomb. You don't even have to buy the same ones that broke, you can get a newer version or even a different style. Good work, Skullcandy! Anyway, on to my review of the Aviators. Style: Aviators are d@mn good looking. I've never got more compliments and positive comments on a pair of headphones in my life. These headphones are pretty/hot/boss/ballin'/bad@$$ or whatever words you prefer for describing mad good looks. Comfort: They stay put, keep the wind out when bombing hills on a longboard, and are comfortable for long sessions in front of a computer or biking around town. The "ear well" is shaped like an ear (i don't know why all headphones aren't this way) which I love, especially because I have slightly bigger ears (I'm 6'4"). Quality: These are study and well built. There is metal, not just the typical plastic in the headband. The ear pads come with backups if you want to switch up the color, and they stay put, only come off when you want. The sound is great, never could complain about the bass, mids, highs. I was completely satisfied bumping some beats loud or chilling to some downtempo jazz on near mute. Great quality. They also come with a legit protective carrying case (not the typical black silky bag they give out). The headphones partially fold up nicely , which is convenient and not found in most over the ear headphones. Overall: I would highly recommend these (especially if you can get them cheaper than the retail price)
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
Quality
Comfort
Boss
August 3rd, 2012
by Me
These are awesome and have an amazing look to them.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Skullcandy RocNation Avaitors
July 31st, 2012
by Choice sauce
I would reccomend these headphones to everyone, these are a so good and such a great price. These compared to the beats by dre studio beats are in my opinion are better one way cheeper, two they are so much more comfortable, and three the sound is so crisp and clear not too much bass but not too little the beats are like having subs over your ears which i dont like. anyway the point im trying o reach is that these are outstanding headphones and i would reccomend these to everyone
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
An Absolute Treat
July 23rd, 2012
by Andrew
This is my second pair of Aviators. Not only do they have beautifully defined sound, but they are REMARKABLY comfortable. If you're really sub hungry, you might not get the over powering bass you want, but it's in good taste. I listen to hip-hop, dub-step, and punk, and the bass is nothing to scoff at. The sound is clear, crisp, and full on all levels. An absolute treat to listen to. Moreover: Other headphones just feel cheap and outdated (even tho their sound is fine) after owning these, haha. Seriously, the way headphones feel has never been so much a part of the listening experience. Solid, quality construction, feel, and look.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Roc Nation Aviators
July 19th, 2012
by Root Khan
I have been a big fan of Skullcandy for awhile now and when i saw the Aviators for the first time i immediately wanted them. I could only hope they would sound as good as they look which they do. Most people buy headphones instead of earbuds because of the Bass and these really bang the drums even at low volume. Couldn't ask for a better logo on the brand either, Roc Nation is pretty sick and i'm a fan, which gave me another reason to save up for a pair. Don't go buying Dr. Dre Beats thinking there the best..... because they're not. They're just over-rated and over-priced. Have some style and go get a pair of these instead. Even the box they came in was pretty amazing.....i kept that too.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Better than beats
July 16th, 2012
by Ales Manica
I bought these headphones cause the sound they produce is awesome. I spent an hour trying on different types of headphones and I fell in love with these. The sound quality is as i mentioned awesome, way better than the beats solo hd or beats mixr and they are also the most comfortable. They are the prettiest headphones out there by far. They are 50 bucks cheeper than the solo hd and they are worth every cent.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Awesome!!!!
June 24th, 2012
by Mike
I have these and I can listen to them forever without them hurting. They don't leak. They look very nice, and they are the most comfortable headphones ever !
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
awesome
June 20th, 2012
by Steve
these headphones sound and look awesome and the price is good.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
Quality
Comfort
pretty good,
June 10th, 2012
by Andrew
ITS PRETTY GOOD,only problem is it sounds a little hollow,but over that its not bad,the bass is not overwhelming,but it packs a punch in volume.the case is leather and has pockets inside for the detachable cable,and the box is really cool.the headphones are a retro finish which changes the game when you rock these out in public.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Well done, Skullcandy.
May 26th, 2012
by Curtis G.
I've had Aviators before, Brown/Gold combo, but they were the old model that didn't feature a detachable cord. These headphones are top notch. SUPER comfortable, I've been wearing them since this morning when I got them and no discomfort whatsoever. Its like clouds on my ears. Sound quality is brilliant as well. Bass is controlled yet prominent, not muddy or anything. Not too much or too little; Its just right. Treble and clarity are fantastic, very crisp and warm sounding. You owe it to yourself to get these wonderful headphones.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
Quality
Comfort
Honest Review by Loyal Customer
May 11th, 2012
by William Patterson
The sound is crisp. The mids and highs are on point, and the bass is there, but not as "boom" as they should be in my opinion. I understand, you weren't going for a bassy phone, but sometimes I have to listen for the bass. My 2011 Chrome FMJ buds had 3x the bass and still a clear range of sounds. I also really miss the see-through plastic lenses. That was a really cool feature unique to the black and brown Aviators and a real selling point. It was also where the character of these phones came from. Being able to see the driver and mechanics reminded me of looking at a pair of aviators. The pouch and boxing was incredible though, as always.
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Value
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Comfort
i like these headphones
May 10th, 2012
by DahooH.
very crisp, clear sound, best ive owned & i had beats studios, beats solo hd, beats wireless, and mix master mikes , but i dont know why i like these the most
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Sound = Amazing, Comfort = Most Amazing
May 9th, 2012
by Maggie
I've tried several over ear headphones, and these are by far my favorite. I had some other headphones at a similar price point, and these are 10 times better. The sound quality is great, listening to any type of music. I've used these on the plane, and while they aren't noise cancelling, they sure do get loud enough to make you forget you are on the plane, without bursting your ears. My favorite thing about these headphones though, is the comfort. I have my headphones on all day at work, and these are sooo much more comfortable than anything I've found. The cushion around the ears is so, so nice. The band that goes over and sits on top of your head is soft and never digs in. I used to have to take other headphones off after a few hours, but these babies last me through the whole day.
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Value
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Comfort
Best Skullcandy Product
May 9th, 2012
by Dallen Pearson
Sound lives up the the supreme sound name. Very good build, im not sure if i like the change from metal to plastic in the main bars on the headphones. I like the detachable wire simply because it makes it easier to store the headphones and its give them greater durability. Plus ive heard that if the wire breaks you just have to send in the wire and theyll send you a new one, instead of having to send in the headhones themself. The mic, track control and volume buttons work great. Vioce control on my ipod is smooth and accurate. Volume change is easy and very convinient. The comfort is very, very good. When you first put these babies on they just feel natural. No pressure points, no shallow padding. Some people question whether the headband will be uncomforable, not the case, it provides a very natural fit that doesnt cause discomfort. Overall a very good pair of cans :)
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Recommended if you're on a $150 budget
May 9th, 2012
by Aaron
Very good bass and sound and very comfortable. Quality seems good and cool style. Could be a little cheaper but not too overpriced, definitely recommend if you are willing to spend some extra money.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
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Comfort
Seriously the best looking headphone ever made
May 8th, 2012
by Robbie
This is the raddest looking headphone I've ever seen. And they are comfortable! The sound is better than some other high end headphones I've tried so I guess I'm pretty impressed that they only cost $150. Way to go Skullcandy.
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
Quality
Comfort
Best Headphones Ever
May 6th, 2012
by Connor McCoy
These headphones are very comfortable, portable, and the sound quality is the best i have ever heard. The detatchable cord feature is also very useful. It also comes with a leather carrying puch. Buy these
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
Quality
Comfort
I love this product!!!!!!
May 5th, 2012
by Diana
I love this product!!!!!! my #SkullCandy headphones have amazing bass lol i love it :))
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
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Value
Quality
Comfort
These are Great
May 1st, 2012
by Connor McCoy
These are the best headphones on earth!!!!!! I definately reccomend these, i won them off of a skullcandy contest on facebook and i am extremely satisfied with these. They blow Beats By Dre Pro's out of the water. Buy these!!
BOTTOM LINE YES, I recommend this product
Well done, Skullcandy.
Press
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Aviator: USA Today Skullcandy Aviator Headphone Review
September 13, 2012
If you insist on listening to music after (or during) a gnarly day on the slopes, these musical earmuffs might appeal to you. With a high maximum volume and decent tracking, these over-ear headphones can provide a bumpin' soundtrack while you think about how extreme you were out on the hill.
Read More...Clearly these headphones aren't for everyone, but for someone willing to shell out extra dough for non-vanilla studio headphones, these beasts beat the Monster Beats in construction and sound.
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Aviator: Skullcandy Aviator
May 1, 2012
Publication: InnerFidelity.com
"The way it was, is not the way it is." - Jamie Oman, Skullcandy Director of Product Developement
Over the course of two days I had conversations with Dan Levine, Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer; Pete Kelly, Director of Industrial Design; and Jamie Oman, Director of Product Developement for Skullcandy.Read More...I asked very direct questions about their intentions from the outset, and throughout the design and development process with regard to the sound quality goals of the Aviators, and I was pleasantly surprised with the answers.
About 2 1/2 years ago, Rick Alden (Skullcandy's founder) decided that Skullcandy needed to be in the game as a serious headphone maker. I think a little context is in order: "in the game" and "serious" is not expressed by these guys in the smooth tones of suited corporate MBA drones. These guys ride boards on snow and surf; they see themselves as just one division of the action-sports army; the one there to provide the tunes. From Skullcandy's SEC filing:
"Our brand symbolizes youth and rebellion, and embodies our motto, "Every revolution needs a soundtrack."
When their "serious" talk about "getting in the game" contained phrases like "successfully implement our growth strategy" or "manufacturer selection and qualification program" or "stylizing a previously-commoditized product and capitalizing on the increasing pervasiveness, portability and personalization of music," it felt a lot more like they were saying "I popped a kick-flip to Nollie on the bench, then smooved a 5-0 grind to Caballerial on the concrete, dude" than some soulless accountant-speak. I liked these guys. In the last two years they've double their engineering staff; spent a half-million bucks on R&D gear for labs here in the States and at their facility in China; and have gotten so serious about premium product this statement appears as one of five major growth strategies in their SEC filing:
"Grow Our Premium Product Offering." - To date, the vast majority of our products have been priced in the $10 to $70 range. With our recently introduced $150 Aviator headphones and $250 Mix Master headphones, we have begun to expand our premium headphone offering and believe we can increase our share of this growing market. By offering premium products, we believe we can further strengthen our brand and broaden our reach to consumers with greater discretionary income. "After a couple of hours on the phone with these guys, I hung-up quite convinced there is a remarkably good possibility we will be hearing better sounding headphones from Skullcandy in the future.
Summary
The terrifically good looking Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator (from $149) is also the best sounding "lifestyle" headphone I've heard to date ... by a wide margin. Head-to-head with all headphones of its type and price, the Aviator compares well against the established bests-of-breed. Understandably, the Aviator falls a bit short in bass extension when compared to the cans with larger earpieces and tighter seals around the ear; but it bests most in its ability to deliver a wonderfully balanced and cheerful sound.If you don't want to walk around with a fugly-black-but-maybe-slightly-better-sounding-lump-of-highly-engineered-plastic on your head, you'll be glad to know I'm giving the Aviators a big thumbs-up with my left hand ... and throwing up an index finger and pinky up with my right. Highly, highly recommended.
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Aviator: Jillian Michaels: What's in My Bag?
February 29, 2012
US Weekly
Food, clothes, a flashlight and a weapon?
"I'm planning for the apocalypse," Jillian Michaels, 38, jokes to Us Weekly about her on-the-go essentials including a Benchmade tactical pen given to her by a Vietnam vet.
Music to her Ears
"My Skullcandy headphones are the most important thing ever.
Read More...They're these giant 1970s brown leather style with gold trim and they're amazing to work out in strangely enough."
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Aviator: Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Review
April 29, 2011
Publication: PC Mag
Summary
Cool design based on Aviator sunglasses. Quality bass response with barely any distortion at maximum volume.Read More...Integrated Apple iPhone/iPod mic and controls.
Skullcandy's Roc Nation Aviator headphones take design cues from that staple of American style, Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses, and branding from Jay-Z's music and entertainment company. Somewhere in the earpieces, which are shaped like Aviator lenses, there are drivers that pump out audio, too. Needless to say, the Aviator is quite the fashion statement. At $149.99 (direct), however, they need to deliver quality audio performance as well, and the Aviator offers a hit-and-miss experience, mixing deep bass that generally does not distort, with treble that seems a bit too sculpted and boosted. The built-in microphone and playback controls for the Apple iPhone (4 stars, $199 and up) and iPods are a nice touch, but the Aviator suffers from a weak physical construction and is not a serious choice for audiophiles.
Design
The Roc Nation Aviator comes in three styles—white, brown and gold, and black. The headphones truly look cool. Our black test unit features transparent "lenses" as the plastic covering over the earpieces, allowing for a glimpse at the innards of the headphones. On the inside of the rounded-triangles that form the ear cups, there is plush padding that comfortably envelopes your ear. This type of headphone, which creates a loose seal, is called circumaural.The headphones are easily adjustable and feature cushioned, pseudo-suede padding on the inside of the headband. The logo for Roc Nation appears on each ear piece, and the Skullcandy logo—an ominous upper half of a human skull—appears above each ear on the headband and once again on the 3.5-inch cable connection. The nylon cable extends from the left ear, and roughly four inches below the ear cup, the mic, and Apple playback controls (for Volume, Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, as well a button for starting and ending calls) are built into a silver-colored plastic compartment. The headphones fold up into a more portable size and they come with a stylish zip-up, pseudo-leather pouch.
While the headphones manage to look exceedingly cool without screaming for attention—kind of like the real Aviator sunglasses—the actual construction is a little flimsy for a $150 investment. Lightly pressing on the inside of the left ear cup lightly—where there happens to be yet another emblazoned Skull logo—temporarily disabled the left ear's drivers. Another press, and the music came back, but I had to repeat this step a few times before the nuisance permanently ceased. A $150 pair of headphones should be able to withstand this sort of activity. When I got the headphones working properly again, the Aviators were comfortable and offered a very solid listening experience. But I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that they're not exactly durable.
Performance
Unfortunately, the Apple controls and mic don't mix well with our HEAD Acoustics frequency-response tests, so we are unable to run frequency response graphs. I can tell you that the performance, from ear-to-ear, is reasonably well-matched—it's quite similar to the KRK Systems KNS-8400 (4 stars, $149) linear frequency response, which is a more-than-acceptable result.Bass response is on par with headphones in this price range. The Knife's "Silent Shout," which has tremendous low end, can be played at maximum volume without serious distortion. Occasionally, I heard the synth drum hits distort slightly, but only at the very highest level, and even this was minor. At normal-to-loud listening levels, the Aviator has no problem reproducing heavy bass, but the treble can often be too bright and intense. Ironically, on Jay-Z's "99 Problems", this is one problem that is apparent—at moderate-to-high volumes, it is almost uncomfortable to listen because the treble is so boosted in certain ranges. On orchestral music, like John Adams's "The Chairman Dances," the high end is still quite present but seems less tweaked and the overall balance is more agreeable. It's probable that pop music, which often has modified high frequencies to begin with, is going to suffer from the inherent brightness the most.
In this general price range, you have a couple more music-friendly headphone options (and plenty of in-ear options), but nothing quite so visually arresting. The same-price KRK Systems KNS-8400 is a great option for home studio engineers and audiophiles on a budget, but it looks like a pair of studio monitors. The Denon AH-D1100 (4.5 stars, $199.99) splits the difference, from a design standpoint, between a more stylish pair of headphones and a studio monitor look, and the extra $50 gets you audio performance worthy of our Editors' Choice. Still, for bridging an oft-ignored gap between style and performance, the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator is to be commended—but I still think it's a bit overpriced.
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Aviator: Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Headphones
April 24, 2011
Publication: Cnet
The good: The stylish Roc Nation Aviator headphones reach beyond Skullcandy's tween demographic and bring a sophisticated look and detailed sound design to the mobile market.
The bottom line: The style-savvy Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator headphones earn our recommendation for balancing a unique thematic design with exceptional clarity in spite of a slightly passive low-end response.
Skullcandy continues to pursue its youthful listening-device niche with the Aviators, a collaborative effort with Roc Nation, a music publishing and entertainment company founded by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z.
Read More...The $150 on-ear headphones are among the priciest cans the company offers and we have doubts about the price considering the younger demographic, but an attractive retro design, an in-line remote control that doubles as a microphone, and impressive sound quality merit a high score and our recommendation to anyone shopping for a new set of headphones.
Design and features
The Roc Nation Aviator headphones are the first we've seen from Skullcandy that carry a subtle aesthetic--the rest of the company's offerings redefine the meaning of words like "bulky" and "overbuilt," but the Roc Nation Aviators bring an elegant flavor to the product lineup with three color choices (Black, Brown Gold, and White) that all feature a pliable leather headband and light branding on the silver connection points and inside the earcups as well.The two earpieces build on a classic egg shape that invokes the spirit of the aviator sunglasses famously worn by Erik Estrada's character in the '70s TV show "CHiPs." Skullcandy modernizes the classic headphone shape with a translucent outer earcup shell that lets you check out the 40mm speakers and Mylar drivers inside.
Like all over-ear headphones, you can make size adjustments to the Aviators by pulling up and down on the polished silver slide rail that forms the curved shape of the headband. The frame also bends at the top of the both earcups, allowing you to fold them into the headband for safe storage, although we're worried that the continued joint strain from folding and unfolding could damage the structural integrity over the long run.
That said, the rest of the build quality is top-notch; Skullcandy goes the extra mile to reinforce the cable connection that's notorious for headphone hardware failure, and the tough polycarbonate frame forms a protective skeleton for the vinyl-lined headband. We're also assured that the Aviators will withstand a beating thanks to the nylon-braided cable that extends 1.3 meters past the left earcup, but we hope Skullcandy will push its durability further and allow detachable cables in future versions.
The single-sided cable design minimizes annoying tangles and the wire also has a light plastic remote several inches down that you can use to navigate music playback on your Android or iPhone-powered smartphone. Finally, the cord terminates in a straight and narrow plug to fit a universe of existing devices and cases.
We used the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators intermittently for over a week and have few complaints about the fit and shape of the headphones. The plush leather ear protectors create a loose seal that lets you hear ambient noise while also keeping your music between your ears with adequate sound isolation. The headphones are surprisingly light considering the stainless steel accents, and you also get plenty of room within the wide pyramidal-shape earcups to accommodate a range of ear sizes.
Performance
The majority of Skullcandy headphones appeal to the younger market that values bass response over all other instruments, but the Roc Nation Aviators have a sound signature that sways more toward the midrange, with a balanced treble sparkle comparable to the Klipsch Image One headphones.After spending a week listening to all types of music through the headphones, we get the impression that the Skullcandys' open soundstage is better suited for genres driven by string instruments like rock and country, whereas the Image Ones boast a fuller and richer tonal balance that lends itself well to hip-hop and techno.
That's not to say that the Roc Nation Aviators can't handle tracks laden with drum machines and synthesizers--tracks from Nicki Minaj's "Pink Friday" album sound more defined with the Aviators. It's easier to pick out the individual harmonies and focus on the clear vocals without an obtrusive bass peak throwing off the other frequencies.
However, if you prefer the booming nature of extended bass in your headphones, we recommend the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio that border on excessively low-end-heavy thanks to an extra boost from a digital amplifier. Prepare to pay a premium, however, as the Dr. Dre Studios will set you back $300, double the cost of the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators.
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Aviator: Skullcandy Aviator Offers Audiophiles Food for Thought
March 25, 2011
Publication: Wired Magazine
Skullcandy is known for making headphones that put fashion first and sound quality second.
You’ve probably seen its krazy-kool neon and graffiti-splattered cans stacked up for sale in mall kiosks, or clamped to the dome of some young’n on a skateboard as he whisks by and spills your latte all over your Haggar slacks.
The company’s demo skews young, and we all know the kids don’t necessarily care if their music sounds good, as long as it’s loud. Needless to say, Skullcandy’s headphones haven’t ever scored high marks among audiophiles. Being one of these snobbish elites, my expectations were not inflated when I received a shipment of Roc Nation Aviators, a set of headphones cross-branded with Jay-Z and LiveNation’s Roc Nation promotions outfit.
Skullcandy is angling the $150 set as its first foray into audiophile territory. It’s a shrewd move. All those tweens who grew up on Skullcandy cans are now graduating to adulthood, collecting their first real paychecks and looking to upgrade all the little things in their lives. And maybe they’ve outgrown the desire to wear bright pink skulls on their ears.
The Aviators’ styling is unique and fashionable, but not garish. True to the name, they’re reminiscent of the iconic aviator sunglasses. They have see-through plastic over-the-ear cups, leather pads, suede headband, nylon cord and chrome accents along the edges. Three colors are available: white, black and brown/gold.
So, they’re not ugly. That’s a plus, I thought. But then I put them on and — wait a minute, these actually sound pretty good. Not amazing, but much better than anything else I’ve heard from Skullcandy thus far.
The Aviators can get a little abrasive at times, especially when you’re listening to modern rock or techno. And the bass isn’t as present as I’d like it to be. Hip-hop sounds oddly tinny. But put on some mellower stuff that hasn’t been amped up to appeal to today’s ADHD standards — Nina Simone, Cat Power, James Blake, singer-songwriter stuff, classic rock — and the Aviators impress. My headphone nerd friends were all curious, so we passed them around and everyone agreed: solid.
Read More...They perform particularly well in quieter settings. Walking around on the street or riding on a city bus, I found the thin plastic shell didn’t do the best job of blocking out exterior noise. But indoors, in the park or at my desk, they were comfortable to listen to — and to wear — for long stretches.
There’s a remote with a built-in mic on the cord, so you can talk on the phone, change the volume, pause the song and skip tracks. The connector fits the iPhone (with a bumper, even) and all the Android phones I tried.
There’s also a companion app for the iPhone, iPad and Android. Version 2 of the Skullcandy App was just released earlier this month, so I tried it out. It has a library of streaming music that fits the “brand lifestyle” — lots of great West Coast hip-hop and some atrocious Sublime-wanna-be ska-punk — as well as streaming videos of skaters, surfers and snowboarders getting rad. The design is tidy. One cool feature: a map that shows the locations of local skateparks, ski resorts and surf spots, complete with current conditions.
But back to the Aviators. They’re not bad at all, even if they are a little steep. At $150, you can certainly buy a better set of over-the-ear cans. I won’t be trading these for my ATH-M50s or my Shure SRH750 DJ headphones, both of which are in the same price range and out-perform the Skullcandies. But while those are giant Cadillacs, these Aviators are more like a spry Miata. They fold up for travel, they’re comfortable and extremely light, and they come with a handsome leather case. So if you need a set of over-the-ear headphones that can squeeze into a fanny pack, the Aviators are a good choice.
They might actually turn some heads, too.
WIRED Surprisingly good sound. Light and comfortable. They fold up and slip into a svelte travel case. Charming retro styling already matches your sunglasses.
TIRED Priced at $150, but they perform more like $90. Chrome and plastic assembly is light, but feels a little flimsy.
Product Q&A
Ask your questions. Share your answers.
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Do the white aviator that are on skullcandy's page now come with a detachable chord?
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Where may I obtain replacement ear cushions for the Roc Nation aviator headphones?
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my aviators will work 100% capacity (mic buttons and sound) while plugged to a Sony Ericsson Xperia S LT (android) phone?
Answers
Does the volume control and mic work with 2nd gen ipod touches? Beause I tried my friends beats on mine and the volume control and mic didnt work.
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i know it says made for ipod, ipad, and iphone but would it work for a phone
Answers
Can you tell me what the main differences are between the old (model # s6avcm-...) and the new (model # s6avdm-...) aviators if there are any?
Answers
does it come with another cable without the Mic and does the Mic cable works with an android device?
Answers
when will skullcandy start to sell their own interchangeable parts, especially their cord with the in-line mic3?
And where(what specific store) can i buy a aux cord with an in-line mic?
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Get aux cords on amazon but be careful not to get one that is too big on the outside
what is the code for the new version (2012) black aviator ? i live outside US so, for me to buy one i need to know the code of the new version
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Up to how many months or years can the aviators perform high quality?
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If I were to use these with a headphone amplifier, would that make the in-line controls unusable?
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Product Q&A
Ask your questions. Share your answers.
Answers
Answers
Answers
Do the white aviator that are on skullcandy's page now come with a detachable chord?
Answers
Answers
Answers
Answers
Answers
Answers
Answers
Answers
Where may I obtain replacement ear cushions for the Roc Nation aviator headphones?
Answers
Answers
my aviators will work 100% capacity (mic buttons and sound) while plugged to a Sony Ericsson Xperia S LT (android) phone?
Answers
Does the volume control and mic work with 2nd gen ipod touches? Beause I tried my friends beats on mine and the volume control and mic didnt work.
Answers
i know it says made for ipod, ipad, and iphone but would it work for a phone
Answers
Can you tell me what the main differences are between the old (model # s6avcm-...) and the new (model # s6avdm-...) aviators if there are any?
Answers
does it come with another cable without the Mic and does the Mic cable works with an android device?
Answers
when will skullcandy start to sell their own interchangeable parts, especially their cord with the in-line mic3?
And where(what specific store) can i buy a aux cord with an in-line mic?
Answers
Get aux cords on amazon but be careful not to get one that is too big on the outside





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