Skullcandy and Bose Unite for Budget-Friendly Premium Earbuds
Skullcandy, known for making affordable audio gear that doesn’t compromise too much on sound, has made an interesting move. The company’s new Method 360 ANC earbuds are priced at $99.99 in the US, which roughly translates to ₹8,300 in India (depending on current exchange rates). These earbuds also carry a launch offer and may see a price hike to $129.99 (₹10,800 approx.) later.
What makes this launch notable is Skullcandy’s partnership with Bose. Bose has licensed its tuning tech to the brand, aiming to offer a richer sound experience—without the heavy premium.
What the Method 360 ANC Offers
The Method 360 ANC aims to bring premium features into a budget-friendly package. These earbuds come with active noise cancellation, a four-microphone setup, and Bose-backed audio tuning. Skullcandy claims it’s their most advanced audio experience to date.
The earbuds include three sizes of ear gels and fins for a more secure and comfortable fit. This design helps in blocking unwanted background noise, though it’s best not to expect Bose QuietComfort-level performance.
Still, for $99, that’s not a bad trade-off. Skullcandy is aiming for a balance of features, comfort, and sound quality that makes sense for most users—not audiophiles.
Unique Charging Case with a Rugged Touch
Unlike most earbuds that come in clamshell cases, Skullcandy chose a sliding case with a built-in O-ring clip, similar to a carabiner. This adds a rugged feel and may appeal to those who want to attach it to bags or belts.
The case is slightly bulky, but it serves a purpose. It boosts battery life from 11 hours on the earbuds alone to 40 hours with the case. With ANC on, you still get up to 32 hours total, which is impressive in this range.
Features That Try to Punch Above Their Price
The Method 360 ANC is more than just another affordable pair of earbuds. It brings some features we don’t often see at this price:
- Stay-Aware mode to let ambient noise in
- Low latency mode for better sync during gaming or videos
- Wear detection that auto-pauses your music
- Multipoint pairing for switching between devices
- Google Fast Pair and Spotify Tap support
- IPX4 water resistance
Plus, the Skull-iQ mobile app lets users customize button shortcuts and adjust the EQ. This level of personalization is a nice touch, especially in this price range.
Where It Might Fall Short
While the collaboration with Bose is a big highlight, it’s essential to keep expectations realistic. These earbuds won’t deliver the same audio precision or ANC strength as Bose’s own top-end products. Also, the charging case is larger than average, which may be a drawback for those wanting something pocket-friendly.
Some users may also find the sound profile tuned for mass appeal, which could mean less clarity in mids and highs for critical listening.
Available in Five Bold Colors
The earbuds come in black, bone, primer, plasma, and leopard color options. This wide range ensures users can pick something that matches their style—something Skullcandy has always emphasized.
Final Take: Are the Method 360 ANC Worth It?
If you’re looking for a feature-rich pair of wireless earbuds under $100, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC seems like a smart pick. The Bose partnership gives them added credibility, and the list of features is impressive for the price.
Still, they may not fully satisfy audio purists or those used to premium ANC earbuds. But for everyday users, they offer solid value, decent sound, and modern features without the hefty price tag.
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