Skullcandy's PLYR 2022 headset is a callback to the loud gamer aesthetic of yore, but smart functionality makes it a decent choice.
The Skullcandy PLYR headset is a blast from the past - and not just because Skullcandy, once upon a time, was producing gaming headsets when the aesthetic was still largely to be as eye-catching as possible. From looks to feel, the PLYR headset is decidedly retro - but beneath some design decisions that are likely to be polarizing to potential consumers, there's a solid offering here with some smart functionality that fits it into its price range of $129.99 quite snugly.
The PLYR 2022 headset is the flagship choice alongside Skullcandy's other offerings this year, the $99.99 wired SLYR Pro and the budget-friendly $59.99 SLYR (also wired). PLYR is the only one that actually allows for wireless functionality, with Bluetooth connectivity that is easy to set up on PC, via phone, or on other gaming peripherals - including Nintendo Switch, which we tested. Battery life is advertised at roughly 24 hours, and in limited testing - leaving it on overnight streaming music - this seems promising, but exactly how well this holds up across multiple charges remains to be seen.
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From a design standpoint, the PLYR is not going to be for everyone. It's a headset that features a strange abstract coloring towards the ear cups, and a cheap-looking plastic finish on the outside of its headband. That, coupled with the Skullcandy logo, makes for a somewhat garish aesthetic that certainly stands out, for better and for worse. The mesh material that lines the inside of the headband, however, is a nice surprise. It's adjustable, sits tightly in the frame, and provides a layer of cushion against the headband itself that was comfortable across multiple hours. The same is true of the ear cups, which didn't put pressure on the head, even when wearing glasses.
Of course, aesthetic isn't everything, and the Skullcandy PLYR was rock solid in its performance. The audio quality is good, though it requires some adjustments at the beginning if you've got a specific sound profile you're interested in. The flexibility of its settings are above average for the price range, however, so there should be something that fits most audio profiles.
Perhaps the biggest factor for the Skullcandy PLYR that helps separate it from similarly priced competitors is the Skull-HQ app, which provides a suite of features like audio sliders, the equalizer settings, and more. It was easy to use in testing and provided excellent service, with a smart UI that isn't overwhelming like some other audio apps that can feel like operating a mixing studio on a smartphone. It's a definite selling point, and hopefully something that Skullcandy continues to refine across releases, as it's a step above what's usually on offer when it comes to companion apps.
That said, the Skullcandy PLYR is not, by any means, going to radically change the market. It's in line with expectations for a wireless headset at $129.99, and even a little sub-standard in spots - the microphone registered as muffled to those we tested with, a step down from the $40 desk microphone that it was being compared to. What's here, however, is an average-to-good headset that occupies a unique aesthetic and is accompanied by a way-better-than-expected companion app. For those in the market for a specific set of features, it's hard to imagine a better fit in this price range than the Skullcandy PLYR - with the caveat that a desire for a broader suite of features or a better audio quality should mean looking elsewhere (and, more than likely, for something significantly more expensive).
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The Skullcandy PLYR is available for $129.99 starting in October, and can be purchased from the Skullcandy online store. Screen Rant was provided with a Skullcandy PLYR for the purpose of this review.
Cody is Screen Rant's Game Reviews Editor. He joined the team in 2018 and has been reporting on games pretty well every day since - except on weekends, where he's typically playing them instead. Despite being in a field ostensibly about critiquing and enjoying quality games, his most played game of 2019 was Fate/Grand Order - something unlikely to change in 2020 and beyond.