26
Feb
2009
I have always had a bit of a soft spot for off the wall headphone designers Skullcandy. They have been ahead of the game when it comes to stylish yet ridiculous (but still affordable) headphones for some time now, ensuring that anyone can look like an outlandish DJ whilst on the train home from work.
Some of my favourite series’ so far have been the cute little in ear Full Metal Jacket range. Subtle, metallic and very cool. The chunky, large and very comfortable G.I DJ headphones. And the lovely range of Pink headphones they have for us girly music lovers. really over the years Skullcandy has collaborated with a range of artists and designers to produce a really unique and interesting array of headphones which while all different – are united by their ethos to create unusual and very cool headgear for the masses. Originally just a tiny startup company they have grown into quite a household name in the headphone industry of late and I am happy to see it happen. I hope this opens to door for more collaborative work with other artists and special edition headphones in the future.
But seriously, skullcandy have created some iconic and truly unique fun headphone designs over the years and update them often enough that there is always something new to see on their site skullcandy.com. They have branched out into accessories and other paraphernalia recently, including logo necklaces, backpacks, sweatbands and stickers. The stickers are very skateboard and schoolbook friendly though so I can see why they have expanded their offering in that direction. The MP3 players and iPod docks however just seem to be re-branded Chinese made goods to me – correct me if I am wrong – but they just don’t have any of the uniqueness and originality that I love about the brand. I hope this isn’t something they continue – a foray into skate fashion and a t-shirt line would be far more in keeping with their brand identity and probably sell much better to their target audience. So I am ignoring that aspect as for me they water down what is actually a good offering of quality headphones.
And they are quality – this has always been one of the things that set Skullcandy apart. Yes they are statement fashion pieces and looks are probably the reason anyone buys them – but they are also rather good quality built headphones – their DJ ones especially having a very crisp and phat sound quality which kicks your standard iPod headphones to the curb. The fluffy funfur lined ones are actually the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn. They certainly turn heads and back in the days before they had distributors such as HMV I found I was often asked where I got them by passers by.
Each series of headphones come in a variety of flavours from uber ghetto cool camo with fake bullets – to sleek black, stylish and simple and then all the way up to pink funfur fluffy nonsense – and we love them all.
Even with the shameless accessories and MP3 player sales int he end we all know Skullcandy can do no wrong. They pretty much define what a cool pair of headphones is for me and I think it is unlikely that will change anytime soon.
Shameless plug:
Check out the range available on Amazon.co.uk
