Bose Corporation has acquired Skullcandy, adding the action-sports–linked headphone maker to Bose’s Premium Consumer Audio portfolio while promising that Skullcandy will continue to operate as a distinct brand from its Park City, Utah, base. The purchase was announced in October 2026; Bose did not disclose the transaction price.
What Bose says it will do with Skullcandy
Bose said the acquisition follows a period of partnership between the companies, including product collaborations under the Sound by Bose licensing program that began in 2025. Bose plans to invest in Skullcandy’s growth by providing access to its audio technology, global distribution channels, retail relationships and engineering resources, while allowing Skullcandy to retain “the freedom and voice” that define its products and marketing.
“We believe this is a win for Skullcandy and our fans,” Brian Garofalow said.
Skullcandy’s CEO Brian Garofalow, quoted by the companies, said joining Bose will give Skullcandy more access to Bose’s audio expertise and open new routes for product development and distribution. The firms pointed to prior joint products — including the Method 360 ANC earbuds and the Crusher 1080 ANC headphones — as tests of technical collaboration before the acquisition.
Brand strategy and market positioning
Under Bose ownership, Skullcandy will be one of four consumer brands in the parent company’s premium audio grouping alongside Bose, McIntosh and Sonus faber, according to the companies. The acquisition is positioned as a way for Bose to reach younger, more price-sensitive and lifestyle-oriented consumer segments associated with snowboarding, skateboarding, gaming and fitness — markets where Skullcandy has established cultural ties.
The companies said Skullcandy will remain headquartered in Park City, Utah, and will continue to operate its existing business and brand identity.
Recent collaborative history
- 2025: Sound by Bose licensing began with the Method 360 ANC earbuds — Skullcandy designed the product; Bose provided and tuned the audio components.
- July 2026: Skullcandy launched the Crusher 1080 ANC headphones combining Skullcandy’s adjustable bass system with Bose noise-cancelation and spatial-audio technology.
- IFA Berlin 2026: Skullcandy showed the Noise Master Buds Open, another product in the companies’ collaborative timeline.
The acquisition will give Bose direct ownership of a brand that has worked with its Sound by Bose program and that brings established consumer channels and cultural connections in boardsports, gaming and fitness.
| company | role after deal | headquarters | price disclosed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bose Corporation | Parent, Premium Consumer Audio business | Framingham, Massachusetts (Bose) | not disclosed |
| Skullcandy | Independent brand within Bose portfolio | Park City, Utah | — |
The firms said the acquisition should enable Skullcandy to leverage Bose’s technical capabilities and distribution without losing the brand characteristics that appeal to its core customers. Bose emphasized that Skullcandy will continue to develop products reflecting its established identity while benefiting from Bose’s resources and global reach.
No financial terms were released, and executives cited the companies’ prior product collaborations as part of the rationale for pursuing a closer corporate tie.
