Bose buys headphone maker Skullcandy

Bose has bought Skullcandy, the US headphone maker known for brash, youth-oriented designs. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

Skullcandy remains a separate brand inside Bose's portfolio and stays based in Park City, Utah.

A partnership turned into a purchase

The companies were not strangers. They worked together under a multi-year partnership, and over the summer they released the Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC, which uses Bose's active noise cancellation technology.

Bose says the combination joins its "audio expertise, technology, and global reach with Skullcandy's design, understanding of its consumers, and authentic community connections to create new products and experiences and accelerate growth". It adds that the deal will let it reach markets it has not tapped before. Skullcandy has a strong reputation in board sports, gaming and fitness, with many athletes as ambassadors.

What the executives said

"For more than 60 years, Bose has been committed to delivering incredible audio experiences however and wherever people choose to listen," said Lila Snyder, chief executive officer of Bose Corporation, in a statement. "As we work to reach even more people, we're expanding how we do that, not only through Bose products, but through technology partnerships and a growing portfolio of brands."

Skullcandy's CEO called the deal "a win for Skullcandy and our fans". It lets the company bring Bose's "audio expertise and technology to our products".

Bose will give Skullcandy access to its technology and share resources, global distribution and commercial relationships. Bose says Skullcandy can "continue evolving in ways that are authentic to its identity and consumers".

Source: What Hi-Fi?