I have a few items of tech from Skullcandy, so I know what to expect, and I am always pretty excited when I get my hands on something else to take a look at.
Skullcandy is more than just an audio brand; in my experience, it guarantees a premium-quality offering. That's always been the case for me, so when the Method 360 ANC earbuds landed in my hands, I couldn't wait to try them.
Undoubtedly, these are designed for people way cooler than me. The earbuds come packaged in a nifty keyring carry case that slides open to reveal the listening device.
It's instantly pretty funky, and my teenage daughter took one look and said 'you don't really want those, do you?'.
Once I had sent the pesky teen packing, I charged them and hooked them up to my iPhone I always test headphones in the same way, with the best album ever produced - Appetite For Destruction, by Guns N' Roses.
This blistering slice of brilliance features raw punk rock, anthemic classics, and a solid ballad - it's perfect for all ranges.
The sound quality didn't let me down, and it backed up the great design of the packaging. The noise was crisp but with that trademark Skullcandy power.
The best bit for me was that these were really strong when it came to noise cancelling. I've had some decent earbuds and headphones that do this, but certainly these are the best small listening devices I can recall in this area.
That's not to say they gripped the ear like an over-enthusiastic bath plug, these were really snug and comfortable.
For all the reasons above, I loved these, and without wishing to sound like a cliched car enthusiast, when you lift the bonnet, there are many reasons why they are so impressive.
The emphasis is on premium. The build materials are very high quality, BOSE provides the sound, and they can play for 40 hours off one charge.
Throw in how unobtrusive they are and the fact that they are sweat and water-resistant, and there are so many redeeming features.
You can use the accompanying app to customize the sound experience, and the buds have touch functionality for ease of use.
My membership to the Skullcandy fan club has been renewed. A very decent price, and it feels like you get more than what you pay for.
The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds are available (RRP: £99.99) from Amazon UK.
What users say
"Great set. App control is easy and the ANC function really is incredible.Also last location function works great if you ever misplace them. The large case and design is actually very attractive and functional. Probably the best earphones at this price range I have purchased and intact better than some higher range priced sets. Connectivity is simple and battery life is good. The additional spare components make fit perfect. Definitely recommend.
"Bad case design, immediate Bluetooth pairing issues with one earbuds, immediate charging problems with the same earbuds. They're being returned ASAP."
Alternatives
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Earbuds
I've also been testing Skullcandy's Crusher ANC 2, a pair of over-the-ear headphones that make you stand up and take notice. You see, these are probably the most powerful things I've stuck on or in my ears with an explosive bass vibration that really hits the mark.
It can be too much, but you can control the levels using a wheel on the ear set. When you hit a bass line or deep sound within a stream, by heck, do you feel it.
The cups deliver a booming bass vibration equivalent to a solid kick from a mule. They are more than just audio; they are a whole bass sensation. They probably aren't for everyone, because they are very powerful, but they are certainly impressive.
I tried them with a bit of rock music, and I had to turn the bass down pretty quickly, but on podcasts and more ambient music, the sound is wonderfully deep.
It's a serious bit of kit from Skullcandy, and it offers everything you want from headphones and more. They have a built-in microphone for hands-free and you can control volume, track skipping, and connections via the headset.
They are a delight when it comes to comfort. Their padded headband moulds to your head, and they also fold up nicely into a carry bag. A very powerful set of headphones, but maybe too powerful for some!
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones are available for £190 via Amazon.
