Skullcandy’s latest Method 540 ANC earbuds are basically a rehash of the popular Method 360 model, with the same design, drivers, and sound profile that made the originals a solid pick for budget-conscious runners and gym rats, but they’ve jacked up the price by 25% for what amounts to an optional AI chatbot subscription. This AI feature, powered by Bragi and OpenAI tech, lets you chat via the buds for an extra $5 a month or $50 a year—because who wouldn’t want to pay more to talk to a bot while jamming to tunes? While the buds still deliver reliable fit, decent ANC, and over 11 hours of battery life, there’s zero meaningful upgrade in performance, making the price hike feel like a sneaky cash grab amid the AI hype. If you’re an SMB owner or MSP techie looking for value, stick with the discounted Method 360 or explore rivals like Cambridge Audio’s offerings, as forcing AI into everyday gear often adds cost without real benefits—lesson learned, Skullcandy.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandy-method-540-review
