In modern times where concepts like online meetings, streaming, and travelling are becoming more rampant, it is no surprise that sales for things like wireless Bluetooth earbuds have skyrocketed. We totally understand though because the convenience and portability of it all is so appealing. This is why now, we will review the Skullcandy Indy XT – one of Skullcandy’s entries in the earbud market.
While Skullcandy is known for their colorful earbuds, the Indy is a sleek black pair whose design alludes to the Apple Airpods. It boasts of having great fit providing maximum comfort which is great for travel and everyday wear. With this pair, you’re also expected to get 16 hours of battery life which is pretty standard – if not a bit on the lower side – of modern wireless earbuds. It’s also IP55 sweat, water, and dust resistant so it should hold up well in different weathers and climates.
But with all those great-sounding features, let’s find out what exactly the Skullcandy Indy XT is capable of. Starting off with the Pros, we will explore the strengths of this pair in being a great daily wireless earbud option.
Pros
IP55 Rated. Having a water and dust resistant pair of earbuds is practically essential nowadays in the culture of travel and individuals on-the-go. Fortunately, the Indy is IP55 rated which means that it is water and dust proof (Note: An IP55 rated product is protected against dust ingress and water projected up to 6.3 mm). Gone are the days where you have to scramble to protect your earbuds from getting wet from a sudden drizzle or from getting damaged in a dusty street.
Comfortable Fit. Even though their design is similar to Apple AirPods, they incorporated some features to make sure you get a great fit. They’re closed-back in-ear earbuds with narrow stems that make it easier for you to put them on and pull them out. They also include stabilizing gels upon purchase to ensure that you have a better feel with them in your ears.
Now after looking at the Pros, we looked at the Cons as well for these earbuds. Even though they do seem like a pretty comfortable pair for everyday, we found some things that need improvement. Here are the Cons below.
Cons
Poorly Built. Before we looked at the earbuds itself, we looked at the case first. Like many other pairs when opened, the case reveals a cut out where the earbuds perfectly slip. They’re held in place by magnets which are pretty hard to navigate when closing the case as there is an element of resistance at times. This can be quite frustrating as it is an extra hassle when you’re in a hurry. As for the earbuds themselves, they’re made from plastic. On one hand, this is understandable since it’s meant to be lightweight but this also means that they do fall out quite easily which makes them bad for working out and other activities that may cause you to move around a lot.
Inferior Sound Quality. With sound quality being the most important aspect of earbuds, this pair unfortunately does not deliver. It lacks both bass and depth which is a shame for those who like listening to punchy beats or EDM. There’s also a slight lag when watching videos between the earbuds and what’s being said on screen which isn’t super distracting but it’s definitely noticeable especially if you’re particular about those things.
Too Expensive. As we have laid out the Cons for these earbuds, we think that at the price point of $84.99, you’re definitely paying more for what you get. There are much more alternatives out there not only for a cheaper price but also for better value for money.
All in all, the Skullcandy Indy XT is a decent option for everyday listening with its comfortable fit and IP55 rating. This means that you shouldn’t have to worry too much about them holding up in different environments especially if you’re someone who is constantly travelling. It’s also great for rainy days if you’re someone who commutes on the daily.
But with that being said, the Indy can still use some improvements especially on its build and sound quality. Because of its material, it falls out a lot which is such a pain especially on runs and vigorous exercises. Its sound quality is pretty poor as well, lacking bass and depth which is a shame since at the price they retail for, you would expect more.
All things considered, while we saw that the Skullcandy Indy XT has some good qualities, we think that it still needs much improvement to be able to justify its high price range and to be able to satisfy more of their target market. Before getting this pair, we recommend broadening your horizons and looking at other pairs first to determine if this is what will really fit your lifestyle. With this review, we hope to have helped you with your earbud hunting journey and decision.
