One of the biggest factors when I usually review headphones and earbuds is the product’s ability to deliver loud bass. Hence, I am generally reluctant to buy, much less review, open-ear devices.
I have been a long-time fan of Skullcandy products since the early 2000s. If there was one thing I could depend on, it’s their ability to deliver powerful lows while blocking out most external sounds (even without noise cancellation). And here comes the Push 540 Open.
The most prominent feature of the Push 540 Open contradicts my normal preference, intentionally. They are designed to let you hear external sounds while enjoying your favorite music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc., without compromising the experience. And I have to say that in a lot of ways, it’s much safer than walking around the city while fully immersed.
However, Skullcandy has figured out something most brands consistently miss. Through special engineering, they somehow managed to create a listening experience where external noises and phenomenal sound co-exist. If you ever used the in-box headphones with an old Walkman or CD player, you know how completely unsatisfying and dreadful the combination can be.
But how do they sound?
I have truly enjoyed the way they deliver clarity of the low, mid, and high when it comes to vocals and instrumentation, even at maximum volumes. While they may lack the extreme bass-heavy “boom” of most of their other models, they still deliver far more than adequate lows than your typical earbuds. The Skullcandy app also includes an equalizer that allows you to fine-tune the sound to your specific preferences.
They are also extremely comfortable and perfect for long-term use. The earhooks keep them securely in place for hours with no irritation or discomfort. If you want to hang them around your neck when not in use or for added stability during more vigorous movement, you can add a detachable magnetic neckband.
Additional notable features consist of Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connectivity, a total of up to 42 hours of listening time (with 32 hours of charging available from the case), and an IP44 rating for resistance against sweat and light moisture.
Full list of features:
- Open-Ear Design: The earbuds sit outside the ear canal rather than sealing it, allowing environmental sound to mix with audio.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Wireless connectivity with support for modern pairing features.
- Battery Life: Up to about 42 hours total with the charging case (around 10 hours from the buds plus 32 hours from the case).
- Rapid Charge: A quick charge feature gives additional listening time from a short charge.
- Secure Fit: Over-ear hooks and the detachable neckband help keep the earbuds in place during workouts or activity.
- Sweat/Water Resistance: IP44 rating for resistance to sweat and light moisture.
- App Support: Compatible with the Skullcandy app for custom EQ settings, button customization, and disabling touch controls.
- Voice and Controls: Built-in mic with voice call support and touch controls for media and calls.
The Push 540 Open earbuds succeed where most similar products fail. If you’re willing to accept the tradeoff of having more situational awareness than sealed-in sound or noise cancellation, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better audio device at its $99.99 price point.
Be’n Original
