The Skullcandy Dime 3 earbuds are the latest addition to Skullcandy’s budget-friendly true wireless series. They retain some signature features, like the unique car-key-fob-inspired charging case and Tile integration, while introducing new features such as AI-powered microphones, music presets, and a transparency mode. These earbuds also deliver noticeable improvements in audio quality and call quality, providing a pleasant listening experience for their low price point.
Although some of Skullcandy’s premium features are missing, and the controls may be a bit finicky, these drawbacks are easily forgivable when you consider the Dime 3’s incredibly affordable price tag of $29. These earbuds are a top choice for budget-conscious consumers in search of wireless earbuds and a microphone suitable for voice and video calls.
Skullcandy Dime 3 Specs – Affordable Earbuds with Impressive Features
Skullcandy has made quite a statement in the audio market with their Dime 3 earbuds, which combine quality and affordability. Priced at $29, £34, or AU$79, these earbuds are available in two stylish colors: Bone and True Black.
Battery Life That Keeps Going
The Skullcandy Dime 3 earbuds offer 8 hours of playback time on a single charge, ensuring you can enjoy your music, podcasts, or calls without frequent interruptions. If you factor in the charging case, you’ll get a total of 20 hours, providing ample juice to keep you entertained on the go.
Seamless Connectivity
With Bluetooth 5.3 support and compatibility with codecs like SBC, AAC, and LC3, you can expect reliable and high-quality wireless connections. Say goodbye to the hassle of tangled wires and enjoy the freedom that Bluetooth technology offers.
Built to Withstand
The Dime 3 earbuds are rated IPX4 for durability, meaning they can handle splashes of water and resist sweat during workouts or outdoor activities. This level of protection ensures your earbuds will last through various conditions.
Compact and Lightweight Design
The earbuds themselves measure just 1.06 x 0.77 x 0.73 inches, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. They weigh a mere 0.14 ounces each, so you’ll barely notice them in your ears. The charging case is compact as well, measuring 2.33 x 1.55 x 0.90 inches and weighing only 0.91 ounces.
Affordable Audio Bliss with the Skullcandy Dime 3 Wireless Earbuds
Skullcandy Dime 3 equipped with a robust feature set that defies their modest price point. Notable attributes include Skullcandy’s proprietary AI-enabled Clear Voice Smart Mics, ambient listening, Bluetooth multipoint functionality, digital assistance, EQ modes, Tile integration, and an impressive battery life of up to 20 hours when considering the charging case. This comprehensive set of features makes the Dime 3 a compelling choice in the sub-$30 category.
The Clear Voice Smart Mics showcased remarkable speech recognition, facilitating seamless voice activation of Google Assistant with a simple “Hey Google” command, and executing voice commands with precision. Bluetooth multipoint ensured effortless connectivity between two devices simultaneously, enhancing user convenience. The Tile app simplified the process of locating misplaced earbuds, and Premium Protect Plan subscribers can enjoy exclusive features such as Item Reimbursement and Smart Alerts.
While the official battery life is rated at 8 hours, real-world usage brings it closer to around 7.5 hours, depending on the frequency of power-draining features like multipoint or Tile. With moderate daily usage of around 2.5 hours, users can anticipate approximately 3 days of listening before requiring a recharge. The charging case, despite its diminutive size, can extend the total listening time to 20 hours, a noteworthy luxury in such a compact package. Additionally, the Rapid Charging technology provides an impressive 2 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge, akin to Apple’s Fast Fuel feature on the AirPods, where 5 minutes of charge yields 1 hour of listening.
Skullcandy’s design philosophy shines through in the small-stem earbuds that seamlessly blend with the ear’s contours, avoiding the awkward protrusion commonly seen in many imitation AirPods. Durability is a highlight, thanks to a robust plastic exterior shielding the internal components. With an IPX4 rating, these earbuds offer moisture resistance comparable to some of the top wireless earbuds available. Comfort is paramount, as these earbuds can be worn for extended 2-hour sessions without causing discomfort.
The attractive micro-charging case exhibits thoughtfully designed cutouts that reveal the front of the earbuds when docked. Furthermore, the inclusion of a flat woven lanyard enhances the convenience of attaching keys, and the clamp system ensures a secure lid closure, enhancing the overall user experience.
Exceptional Audio Quality in a Compact Package of the Skullcandy Dime 3 Wireless Earbuds
The Skullcandy Dime 3 wireless earbuds set new standards for sound quality in the budget-friendly earbud category. Priced at a mere $29 / £34 / AU$79, these earbuds offer an impressive sonic experience, making them a remarkable value for users seeking high-quality audio on a tight budget.
These earbuds are equipped with three built-in EQ modes: Music (the default), Bass Boost, and Podcast. Each mode caters to different audio preferences, offering a versatile audio experience.
Bass Boost: The Bass Boost mode is perfect for those who relish booming bass and vibrant beats. It effectively handles tracks like Travis Scott’s “Butterfly Effect,” ensuring that deep lows and synthesized elements are clear and distortion-free. Even Scott’s auto tuned vocals remain articulate, providing an immersive listening experience.
Podcast: The Podcast mode takes a different approach, stripping away the bass and focusing on the midrange frequencies. This mode excels when listening to dialogue-centric content. Voices are crisp and highly intelligible, making it ideal for podcasts and talk shows.
Music: The Music mode offers a balanced audio profile with an emphasis on the low-mid range. This setting performs admirably with a wide range of genres. Pop tracks like Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” maintain their punchiness, ensuring that mids are clean for an enjoyable singalong experience. Even classics like Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” are handled with finesse, delivering an infectious bassline while preserving the harmonic chorus and crisp snare hits. The Skullcandy Dime 3 transforms your listening sessions into engaging auditory adventures.
The Dime 3’s “Stay-Aware” transparency mode may not be groundbreaking, but it offers satisfactory ambient listening capabilities. This mode enhances your awareness of your surroundings, making it suitable for daily activities. Verbal conversations and other loud sounds, such as a child’s cries or requests, can be clearly heard, even from a different room. When used outdoors, this feature helps you stay alert to the sounds of construction sites and emergency vehicles like firetrucks and police cars.
While the Skullcandy Dime 3 lacks active noise cancellation, it provides commendable passive noise isolation, effectively minimizing background noise. Whether you’re dealing with construction outside your window or other distractions, these earbuds let you focus on your audio content without unnecessary interruptions.
The standout feature of the Skullcandy Dime 3 is its exceptional voice calling quality. Users have reported remarkable clarity and audibility when making voice and video calls. This level of performance rivals some of the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market. Whether you’re in a noisy environment or a quiet space, your voice will come through loud and clear, ensuring a smooth and frustration-free communication experience for both personal and professional calls.
The Skullcandy Dime 3 proves that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromising on sound quality or call performance. With these earbuds, you’ll enjoy an immersive and crystal-clear audio experience at an unbeatable price point.
Button Layout and Comfort Concerns of the Skullcandy Dime 3
Skullcandy deserves recognition for providing the Skullcandy Dime 3 earbuds with an extensive array of media control functions, encompassing playback management, call handling, digital assistant activation, listening mode adjustment, power control, resynchronization, reset, and volume adjustment. However, these controls, despite their breadth, have some drawbacks due to their placement and execution.
One noticeable issue pertains to the assignment of these controls, making certain functions challenging to access. For instance, executing functions like the EQ Switch (activated by pressing the button four times) or Stay-Aware mode (activated by pressing and holding the button for one second) can be a source of frustration, especially if swift and convenient access is desired.
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Additionally, the layout of the physical buttons raises concerns related to user comfort. Engaging in multi-press commands can result in discomfort, particularly for the right ear, and may lead to discomfort lasting for a significant part of the day.
These factors, while not deal-breakers, are notable quirks that potential users should be aware of when considering the Skullcandy Dime 3 earbuds.
Notable Omissions: Absence of Key Features and Personalization
While the Skullcandy Dime 3 earbuds offer unique and compelling functionality, it’s essential to recognize that they lack certain common features commonly found on wireless earbuds priced under $50. The absence of these features is a significant drawback and may impact the overall user experience.
One notable omission is the unavailability of the Skullcandy IQ app, which represents a substantial loss. The absence of this app deprives users of various appealing perks, including:
- Audio Share: The ability to share audio with a friend through your earbuds.
- EQ (Equalizer) Settings: Customizing sound profiles to suit personal preferences.
- “Hey Skullcandy…” Voice Controls: Voice-activated commands for seamless control.
- Personal Sound: Tailoring audio to individual hearing profiles.
- Spotify Tap: Direct integration with Spotify for a more streamlined music experience.
- Take a Photo: Using the earbuds as a remote control for capturing photos on your smartphone.
Furthermore, there is no option for users to assign and personalize controls to align with their specific preferences. Surprisingly, wear detection, a feature that auto-pauses content when the earbuds are removed, is absent, which is a feature commonly expected in modern wireless earbuds.
These omissions, while not rendering the Skullcandy Dime 3 earbuds unusable, represent a notable limitation, particularly when compared to similarly priced competitors in the market.
Verdict
The Skullcandy Dime 3 wireless earbuds offer an impressive combination of terrific sound quality and call performance, all wrapped in a chic and compact design. Priced at just $29, they represent a fantastic value for budget-conscious consumers. These earbuds incorporate innovative features such as multipoint connectivity and Tile integration, further enhancing their appeal.
While the Dime 3 earbuds are not without their imperfections, the areas that require improvement do not significantly diminish their overall value. The high-quality sound, calling capabilities, and bonus features contribute to their standing as a strong contender among affordable wireless earbuds.
With the Dime 3, Skullcandy has delivered a budget-friendly option that provides excellent audio performance and a compelling feature set, making them an attractive choice for a wide range of users.
