Can Bose Help Skullcandy Shake Its Bargain-Bin Reputation?
Skullcandy is partnering with Bose to improve the audio quality of its products, specifically its Crusher line of bass-heavy headphones. The company aims to transition from a niche lifestyle brand for board sports enthusiasts to a more serious audio competitor.
Why it matters
This partnership represents a strategic effort by a consumer electronics brand to leverage high-end engineering to shed a 'bargain-bin' reputation.
Its efforts started with a Bose partnership in 2025 and the release of the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, a $130 pair of wireless earbuds that have surprisingly decent audio quality and noise cancellation for the money.
Next on the upgrade list are Skullcandy's notorious Crusher headphones. These wireless cans have been around for more than a decade, and they are notable for letting users crank up the bass vibrations using a physical thumb wheel on the ear cup. Roll that wheel all the way, and the Crushers rumble and vibrate against your skull, thanks to a special driver design.
The company announced a new pair, the Crusher 1080 ANC, during an event in New York City on Wednesday evening. They’re on sale now.
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