Bose goes more budget-friendly and acquires Skullcandy following a years-long partnership

Skullcandy products will now be an official part of the Bose brand following a collaboration that brought Bose-engineered audio and technology to Skullcandy's budget products. Bose acquired Skullcandy on October 21, a move that came shortly after the release of Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds, the first earbuds with the Sound by Bose designation in October 2021.

The press release from Bose stated that they wanted to retain Skullcandy's design, understanding of consumers, and community connections as it helped create new products and growth for the brand, allowing Bose to meaningfully connect with consumers in markets where Bose has less presence.

The acquisition is significant as it allows Bose to more aggressively target the budget consumer market, a territory currently dominated by Skullcandy. For instance, Skullcandy's cheapest earbuds go for $14.99, while Bose's cheapest earbuds cost $99.99. Wireless and ANC-wise, Skullcandy's buds start at $104.99, while Bose's most affordable pair is priced at $179.99.

The path to this acquisition was evident, especially with Bose's latest collaboration with Skullcandy, the Crusher 1080 headphones. These headphones are described as the most advanced in Skullcandy's history, featuring Sound by Bose, Bose QuietControl 6-mic adaptive noise cancellation, Bose TrueSpatial with head tracking, and Bose WaveForm Audio Engine.

This acquisition marks Bose's third purchase of the year, its first being a consumer audio brand. Prior acquisitions include Firelight Technologies, a maker of an interactive audio software program, and StreamUnlimited Engineering GmbH, a connected audio platform.