Skullcandy Uprock Review: Football Meets Fashion

We are not really fans of on-the-ear headphones since one doesn't get a good seal like with high quality earbuds or a completely closed fit like with over-the-ear headphones. Audiophile-grade headphones just aren't available in this style, which is why manufacturers can make them snazzy to attract the hipster crowd.

The Skullcandy Uprock FC Barcelona edition is colourful and definitelytargets a young audience. Moreover, the 40mm drivers inside the Uprock promise great bass response. Just like the Hesh 2 and the Ink'd 2 we've already reviewed, we want to reiterate that the performance of Skullcandy's products doesn't change across its multiple colours and special editions.

Features and design
The Skullcandy Uprock doesn't cover the ears completely. As a result, there is very little noise cancellation, and ambient sounds creep in. Despite its weight of 280g, the soft pillows on the earcups are comfortable, and we actually found it better for longer listening sessions than the over-the-ear design of the more expensive Hesh 2. We are glad that Skullcandy decided to bestow the FC series of headphones and earphones with flat cables which resist tangling. The Uprock's cable is 1.3m long and has a gold-plated 3.5mm jack. The inline microphone has a single button for answering or ending calls, and it can also be used to play/pause/change tracks.

The predominantly blue Uprock's flat cables have blue and yellow accents akin to the colours of Spanish football club Barcelona's logo - which is also printed on the headband. The Uprock's earcups are designed to look like Barcelona's jersey. We find the design attractive and so will fans of the club.

In our time with the Uprock, it felt sturdy enough, although the adjustable headband is made of flexible rubber-coated plastic material, which makes us doubtful about its durability in the long run.

Skullcandy's claim to fame is thumping sound, and it boldly markets the Uprock's twin 40mm drivers as offering better response in the lower frequencies. Additionally, it operates in a frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz. Skullcandy doesn't state the total harmonic distortion (THD) explicitly in the spec sheet.

Sound Quality
Like many other pairs of headphones and earphones, we've noticed that Skullcandy's products need to go through a burn-in process for the diaphragms to expand and perform to their full potential. We played music for eight hours straight, after which the Uprock really came to life.

The Uprock's sound quality is a welcome change from most Skullcandy headphones' signature bass-heavy sound. Here the lower frequencies are controlled and feel well balanced - a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, the moment high-frequency sounds kicked in it was clear that this pair couldn't handle them. The vocals in Coldplay's Fix You sounded flat and lifeless, which reflects badly on the mids. It feels as though there is an extra layer of foam between the ear cups and our ears, resulting in a thick and muffled texture.

The sound quality is not too great for watching videos either. In intense action sequences, gunshots sound like mere squeaks.

Verdict
The Skullcandy Uprock has an MRP of Rs. 2,999 but can be found cheaper online. However, the final sound quality doesn't warrant the price tag. If you are a fan of Barcelona and want a comfortable pair of headphones, you can take a look at the Uprock. Others who prefer better sound should consider the cheaper Sony MDRXB400 which has superior noise isolation and sounds better in the lower frequencies.

• Comfortable for long listening sessions
• Controlled bass response
  
• Good design
  

Cons

• Muffled overall sound
• Non-existent noise isolation