Finding a decent set of wireless earbuds is relatively straightforward, but discovering a truly exceptional pair is a different challenge altogether. Great earbuds must strike a balance between price, comfort, battery life, ease of use, and, most importantly, sound quality. Achieving this equilibrium is no small feat, but Skullcandy's Dime Evo buds make a commendable effort.
Priced at $49.99 in the US and £39.99 in the UK, these earbuds are positioned in the budget-friendly segment of the wireless headphone market. While they are not the cheapest available, they're not expensive either, yet they offer a compelling feature set that rivals more expensive options. So, are they worth the investment? After a few days of testing, here are my thoughts.
Table of Contents
Design
When unboxing the Dime Evo earbuds for the first time, I was immediately impressed by the packaging and the overall design, shape, and feel of the slide-to-open charging case and the earbuds themselves. The case struck me as particularly rugged, providing ample protection for the delicate earbuds inside. It would seem Skullcandy made the case durable to accommodate the handy clip, which allows you to attach your earbuds to a backpack, keychain, or any looped object. Personally, I didn’t find much use for the clip, but I can see its appeal, and having the versatility of the clip is a nice touch for storing them in general.
One downside to the rugged design is that the case is a bit bulky compared to something like an AirPods case. I measured the case with the Dime Evos inside at 66 grams, whereas my AirPods in their charging case weighed just 46 grams. Most of that weight seems to come from the case itself too, as the earbuds are incredibly light. This lightness significantly contributes to their comfort. Although there are three earbud tip sizes to choose from, I found the default set to be the most comfortable, staying securely in place even during gym workouts, which was likely helped by their Sweat & Water Resistance IPX4 rating. I might even go as far as to say they are some of the comfiest wireless earbuds I have used, although I haven't trialed too many over the years.
The Dime Evo earbuds also feature onboard controls, which I generally appreciate as they can be real time-savers. The ability to pause and play music with a single click of an earbud is fantastic, and it was the command I used the most. The other commands were sometimes tricky to remember, so I often turned to the accompanying app for assistance. However, with more practice, I could see myself taking full advantage of the onboard controls, which are also customizable—a feature I'll delve into later.
Performance
We'll begin where I began—the connection. The initial pairing with my phone was simple, as the earbuds were immediately in their pairing mode as soon as I took them out of their case. They utilize a Bluetooth 5.3 connection, which I had next to no trouble with, and they offer multipoint pairing too. The multipoint pairing worked extremely well, I must say, seamlessly swapping between audio outputs from my phone and my laptop without any issues or delays.
Multipoint pairing was important because I used them during a full day's work, which also really put their battery life to the test. Skullcandy advertises 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, with an extended 36 hours using the charging case. From my experience, this 8-hour claim seems to be accurate. However, if you do run out of juice, they, fortunately, have a quick charge capability, which is a handy feature for those constantly on the move, ensuring you’re never without your music during commutes or travels.
Regarding audio quality, the Dime Evos perform admirably for their price range. While the sound isn’t extraordinary, it’s quite respectable for earbuds under $50. The bass could be more pronounced, even in Bass Boost mode, and the sound separation isn’t on par with higher-end models. However, the 6mm drivers deliver a satisfactory overall performance.
One downside is the lack of active noise cancellation. However, the "Noise Isolating Fit" surpassed my expectations, effectively handling moderate background noise. They struggled a bit with louder environments, specifically busy roads, where they couldn't match the noise cancellation of more expensive options like the Beats Studio Buds. Nevertheless, considering the price difference, the noise isolation is commendable.
For those who prefer to stay aware of their surroundings, the Dime Evos offer a Stay-Aware mode that you can adjust the "Stay-Aware" level of via the accompanying app. This feature was particularly useful during outdoor activities, allowing me to stay alert. They also come with a built-in microphone, which I found to perform as expected for this price range. It’s adequate but not outstanding, though the Clear Voice technology impressively minimized background noise during calls, making it a practical choice for busy environments.
Software
Skullcandy offers two apps: Skullcandy and Skull-iQ, with the latter being mostly compatible with their higher-end products. For the Dime Evo earbuds, only the main Skullcandy app works. This was a bit of a shame, but wasn't a huge let-down as the main Skullcandy app was exceptional to use.
Firstly, the app's design is visually appealing and user-friendly, with clear on-screen instructions guiding you through the menus. Once the earbuds are connected, you can toggle between various EQ presets, including Music, Podcast, and Bass Boost modes. There's also an option to customize the EQ settings to your preference. While I experimented with different settings, I found the Bass Boost mode best suited the music I was listening to. One thing I will say, though, is that the robotic voice announcing the selected EQ mode was excessively loud, and its volume remained unchanged even when I adjusted the volume on my phone.
Anyway, the app allows you to activate the earbud's Low Latency mode, which is particularly useful for gaming and watching videos. You can also customize the onboard controls via the app. This wasn't a feature I used much, as I wanted to get to grips with the default settings to begin with. However, I did appreciate the customization options being there.
The app also lets you disable multipoint pairing and even use the earbuds as a remote control for your device's camera. Firmware updates are available through the app too, ensuring you get the best performance from your Dime Evo earbuds over time.
Verdict
Overall, the Skullcandy Dime Evo earbuds impress with their inexpensive price, comfortable fit, and practical features. The sturdy slide-to-open charging case, while a bit bulky, ensures the earbuds are well-protected, and the clip adds versatility for on-the-go use. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable, and, performance-wise, I found the audio quality to be decent for their price range. The lack of active noise cancellation is a minor drawback. However, the noise-isolating fit does a commendable job in moderate environments, and the Stay-Aware mode enhances safety during outdoor activities.
The accompanying Skullcandy app is a real highlight for me, as the experience with its intuitive design and various customization options was superb. There are options to toggle between EQ presets, enable low latency mode for gaming, and customize the onboard controls for complete personalization. Despite the loud announcements for EQ changes, the app's functionality is great, helping the Skullcandy Dime Evos offer great value for their price all things considered.
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