Sol Republic
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Audio equipment |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Scott Hix, Seth Combs, Kevin Lee |
| Fate | Acquired by HoMedics (around late 2015 or early 2016) |
| Headquarters | Commerce Township , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Kevin Lee (CEO) |
| Products | Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, audio accessories |
Number of employees | 85 (2013) |
SOL REPUBLIC, INC. (commonly presented in all caps and frequently accompanied by the tagline Soundtrack Of Life) was a privately owned American audio equipment company based in Commerce Township, Michigan. Established in 2010 by entrepreneurs Scott Hix, Seth Combs, and Kevin Lee, the firm focused on manufacturing headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and various audio accessories. The company was acquired by HoMedics around late 2015 or early 2016.
One of its flagship offerings included the Tracks over-ear headphones, distinguished by their modular design featuring interchangeable ear cups and headbands, showcasing the brand’s commitment to innovative audio solutions.
History
Sol Republic was created by Scott Hix, Seth Combs, and CEO Kevin Lee—who brought prior experience from Beats Audio along with industry connections through his father Noel Lee of Monster Cable. This foundation enabled the company to quickly gain traction within the competitive audio market. The brand name symbolizes the "soundtrack of life," reflecting its lifestyle-oriented marketing approach.
By December 2011, the organization had grown to employ 33 individuals across offices located in Wilsonville, Oregon, and San Francisco. Initial capital injections included $5.2 million raised in July 2011 followed by $22 million in July 2012 to facilitate product innovation and market growth. In August 2013, Sol Republic introduced the DECK portable speaker through a collaboration with Motorola Mobility, designed to integrate with the Motorola Moto X smartphone. At this stage, the workforce had expanded to 85 employees.
In March 2014, a $27 million funding round led by Riverwood Capital and Greenoaks Capital Management provided resources for further global expansion and new product development. By then, Sol Republic’s products were retailed in approximately 26,000 outlets including Apple Stores, RadioShack, and Best Buy.
During 2014, co-founder Scott Hix resigned from his role as President but retained his status as a significant shareholder; CEO Kevin Lee took over full operational control. Around the same time, business associate Brad Gleeson exited the company.
In October 2015, Sol Republic teamed up with Indiegogo to launch a crowdfunding campaign for the Relay Sport Wireless headphones. Shortly after this initiative, the company’s website underwent a temporary shutdown for redesign coinciding with its acquisition by HMDX Audio. Post-merger, corporate headquarters were relocated to HMDX’s base of operations; several product lines such as the collegiate-themed Tracks and Bluetooth devices like the Deck speaker were phased out. Packaging transitioned from custom designs to more generic formats as part of organizational restructuring.
This strategic realignment signaled a new direction for Sol Republic’s operations focused on streamlining offerings and capitalizing on synergies with HMDX’s international business network.
Products
Sol Republic offers an array of audio devices including headphones, portable speakers, and earbuds. To enhance its market appeal, the company has partnered with influential musicians and DJs such as Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, and Steve Aoki. In 2015, artist Jesse Hernandez contributed to designing a headphone collection for the brand.
Headphones
- Tracks (Available in Regular, HD, Master, Air (discontinued), and Collegiate versions)
- Shadow Wireless
- Relays (Sport and Sport Wireless editions)
- Jax
- Amps (discontinued)
- Amps Air
Speakers
- Punk (no longer available)
- Deck (no longer available) (Available in Regular and Ultra versions)
External links
- Headphone manufacturers
- Audio device manufacturers in the United States
- Michigan-based manufacturing firms
- American enterprises founded in 2010
- Electronics firms founded in 2010
- Manufacturing firms established in 2010
- Companies founded in California in 2010
- Companies founded in Oregon in 2010
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment
- American companies established in 2010