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Sennheiser HD 25 vs Skullcandy Icon® ANC: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 25 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sennheiser HD 25 - Outstanding overall at around $110.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Skullcandy Icon® ANC leads on 5 of 7 measures.

  • Sennheiser HD 25
  • Skullcandy Icon® ANC
HearWiki score
81
68
Sound
7.8
6.5
Noise cancelling
-
7.0
Battery
-
9.1
Calls
-
6.4
Value
8.0
8.1
Price (USD)
$110
$90

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

Both shipped in 2024. These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Skullcandy Icon® ANC adds USB-C.

  • HD 252024
  • Icon® ANC2024
What differsHD 25Icon® ANC

Everyday features

USB-C
No
Yes

Specifications

HD 25Icon® ANC
Type
On-Ear
On-Ear
Price (USD)
$110
$90
HearWiki score
81
68
Released
2024
2024
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
-
40 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
16 Hz - 22 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
70 Ω
32 Ω
Sensitivity
120 dB/mW
97.5 dB/mW
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
120.4
-
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, LC3
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
-
60 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
50 h
Quick charge
-
10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Controls
none
-
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
140 g
225 g
Water resistance
-
IPX4
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
No
Yes
Microphones
-
4
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Sennheiser HD 25

The Sennheiser HD 25 is a lightweight, wired on-ear headphone built for professional tasks like DJing, broadcasting, and field recording. It offers a neutral, accurate sound with good separation and a durable, modular design, though its lack of ANC and limited passive isolation make it less suited for travel or office use. Comfort can be an issue during long sessions, and the cable connection at the earcup is a known weak point.

  • Pro:Accurate, neutral sound with good separation
  • Pro:Lightweight and stable fit for active use
  • Pro:Durable, modular build with detachable cable
  • Con:Comfort declines during extended wear
  • Con:Weak passive isolation without ANC
  • Con:Cable connection at earcup is fragile

Skullcandy Icon® ANC

The Skullcandy Icon ANC is an affordable on-ear wireless headphone that emphasizes long battery life, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and IPX4 sweat resistance. Its active noise cancellation and transparency mode add versatility, though sound quality is generally considered average with a bass-forward tilt. The build is lightweight, and the companion app provides a custom EQ for tuning.

  • Pro:IPX4 water resistance for workouts or light rain
  • Pro:Lightweight at 225g with USB-C charging
  • Pro:Custom EQ and app support for personalization
  • Con:Sound quality is only average, with a bass-forward signature
  • Con:ANC performance is underwhelming compared to competitors
  • Con:Comfort may be an issue for prolonged wear

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

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New comparisonSennheiser HD 25Skullcandy Icon® ANC