If you want a simple wired, closed-back headphone for focused listening and clear bass, choose PreSonus HD9; if you need wireless listening, active noise cancellation, and adjustable bass for children, choose Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2. The HD9 is the straightforward pick for a stationary setup, while the Crusher ANC 2 offers more flexibility away from a desk. Neither is designed specifically for children, so fit and listening habits still matter.
• PreSonus HD9 strength: Wired, closed-back over-ear design with a stated 10 Hz–26 kHz frequency range; trade-off: no Bluetooth or active noise cancellation.
• Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 strength: Wireless Bluetooth, adjustable active noise cancellation, and bass you can dial up or down; trade-off: its feature-rich design depends on battery power.
• PreSonus HD9 fit: A good match for children listening at home with a wired device and a grown-up nearby to manage volume and cable use.
• Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 fit: Better suited to older children who need wireless listening and adjustable noise control for travel or study.
• Bottom line: Choose the HD9 for a simpler wired setup; choose the Crusher ANC 2 for more features and freedom of movement.
The PreSonus HD9 keeps things simple. Its closed-back, over-ear design and 45 mm dynamic drivers are intended for monitoring and focused listening. The stated frequency range is 10 Hz–26 kHz, and the product details describe its low-frequency response as accurate. For a child listening to lessons, music, or a game at a desk, that makes it a sensible option when the source is nearby and a cable is acceptable.
The 10-foot wired cable gives room to move around a studio or seated listening area, but it also creates a practical drawback for children: a long cord can snag or get in the way. The HD9 has two-way, 180-degree rotating cups, which are useful for adjusting how the headphones sit, though that feature does not make the headphones wireless or child-specific. At 40 ohms, the HD9 is listed for use with devices including phones, laptops, audio interfaces, and game controllers.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is the more flexible choice for listening away from a desk. It connects over Bluetooth and can pair with two devices at once, which may be useful when switching between a tablet and another compatible device. Its adjustable four-microphone active noise cancellation is designed to reduce surrounding noise, while Stay-Aware mode offers a way to hear more of the environment. Those options give families more control over how isolated a listener feels.
Its standout feature is adjustable Crusher bass, supported by two full-range 40 mm drivers and additional bass drivers. That tactile, emphasized low end may appeal to a child who enjoys bass-heavy music or movies, but it is not a neutral sound profile by default. The Skullcandy app offers sound personalization and EQ adjustment, so the listening character can be changed instead of leaving the bass turned up. The stated wireless battery life is up to 60 hours with ANC off, and the product information also lists a 50-hour average battery life; actual listening time depends on settings and use.
I’d look at the Crusher ANC 2 for an older child who will benefit from wireless convenience, noise-control options, or sound customization. I’d be more cautious for a younger child, or for anyone who may turn the bass up without understanding how loud listening can affect comfort. This is also an adult-oriented over-ear model, not a child-sized headset. For families specifically searching for bone conduction headphones for children or the best touch control neckband headphones for children, neither product matches those form factors: both are over-ear headphones.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a straightforward wired setup → PreSonus HD9. It connects by cable and avoids the need to manage Bluetooth pairing or charge a battery.
• Best for wireless listening → Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2. It uses Bluetooth and supports connections to two devices at once.
• Best for a stated wide frequency range → PreSonus HD9. Its listed range is 10 Hz–26 kHz, compared with 20 Hz–20 kHz for the Crusher ANC 2.
• Best for customizable bass → Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2. Its bass level and EQ can be adjusted, including through the Skullcandy app.
• Best for a desk or recording setup → PreSonus HD9. Its monitoring-focused design and long cable suit a stationary listening space, though the cable needs attention around children.
• Best for travel flexibility → Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2. Wireless operation, ANC, and a listed protective case make it the more travel-oriented option.
• Best extra bass true wireless earbuds for children → Neither. Both products are over-ear headphones, not true wireless earbuds. The Crusher ANC 2 does offer adjustable bass, but it is still a wireless over-ear model.
I’d choose the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 for an older child who needs wireless use and adjustable noise control. Its customizable sound gives a family more ways to moderate the bass than a fixed wired setup does. For a child who listens mainly at a desk, I’d choose the PreSonus HD9 instead: it is simpler, but the cable is a real consideration. My recommendation for children is the Skullcandy only when its adult-oriented fit and listening controls suit the child.
For an older child who needs wireless listening, the Crusher ANC 2 offers more flexibility through Bluetooth, ANC, and sound adjustment. The HD9 is a simpler fit for stationary listening, but its long cable may be less convenient around children.
No. The HD9 uses a closed-back, over-ear design for passive isolation; it does not list active noise cancellation. The Crusher ANC 2 includes adjustable active noise cancellation and a Stay-Aware mode.
It may suit listeners who want bass they can adjust, including a tactile bass effect. Its app-based sound personalization and EQ provide ways to change the sound, but anyone who prefers a more restrained presentation may not want the bass emphasized.
The PreSonus HD9 is wired and does not rely on a battery for listening. The Crusher ANC 2 lists up to 60 hours with ANC off, while its product information gives a 50-hour average battery life; battery use varies with settings. For current pricing, check the current price on Amazon.
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