The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are nothing short of a gift to Bose fans on a budget.
Skullcandy has made lots of decent-sounding, budget-friendly wireless earbuds and headphones over the years. But no Skullcandy product has ever had noise canceling or sound quality that approaches, let alone rivals, a brand like Bose, until now.
Enter the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC. At first glance, with their stem-based shape and slide-out charging case, they look a lot like the company’s Dime Evo. But when earbud aficionados look a little closer, they’ll notice the Method 360’s uncanny resemblance to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. That’s no accident, and no, Skullcandy didn’t rip off Bose’s design. Instead, the two companies partnered to create the Method 360 ANC, and the result is stunning. These are easily the best-sounding earbuds Skullcandy has ever made. And with an introductory price of $100, Bose fans aren’t the only ones who should be paying attention.
Editor’s note: Skullcandy has indicated that the Method 360 ANC will cost more in the weeks after they launch — possibly as much as $130. However, this review reflects our thoughts at the $100 launch price. If and when the price goes up, we may alter our rating.Comfort and style
There are no two ways about it, the Method 360 are nearly identical to the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (QCUE). Put the two side by side like I did in these pics, and it’s immediately obvious how similar they are. The Method 360 even use the same stability bands — the silicone gaskets that provide a secure but comfortable fit. Like the QCUE, you get three sizes of these bands and three sizes of eartips. I’ve always liked the way the QCUE feel, and the Method 360 are every bit as comfortable. Like the Bose buds, the Method 360 are rated IPX4 for basic water resistance.
Skullcandy has found a few ways to put its own unique spin on the design. The Method 360 uses a glossy stem with the distinctive half-skull emblem, and there are indicator LEDs on the outer surface.
I’m less excited by the charging case. Skullcandy has opted for a sliding sleeve design over the more traditional clamshell or flip-top. It makes for a big and bulky package that isn’t as easy to slip into a pocket. Maybe that’s why you get an included carabiner — to clip it to a belt loop instead.
On the other hand, Skullcandy fans may adore the case’s many styles. It comes in four translucent solid colors (black, white, red, and beige) plus a leopard-look animal skin pattern.
Getting the buds in and out is also quite fiddly. You have to learn the correct orientation for each side, because there’s nothing immediately intuitive about it.
Here’s a tip: hold the case upside down, with the skull logo facing up, but away from you, and the carabiner loop pointing toward you, but on the bottom. Pull on the loop, and when the earbud holder slides out, the right earbud will be on the right side and the left on the left. You can pull them straight out and put them in your ear without any twisting or turning.Controls and connections
Though the Method 360 may look like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, from a software perspective, they appear to use the same platform as the newer Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, and that’s mostly a good thing.
