Seth Combs Interview

Seth Combs is the co-founder of global music lifestyle company SOL REPUBLIC, who previously helped launch Beats by Dre. So if there’s anything you want to know about headphones, Seth’s the guy to talk to. And so we did! Here’s what he had to say on why headphones have become such a vital accessory…

Hi, Seth! Why do you think having amazing headphones has become such a staple for people?

It’s part of our lifestyle; we live, eat and breathe media on our personal devices. Whether it’s your phone, tablet or gaming device, we can easily escape into our own world.

And why have they become the ultimate fashion accessory?

Everywhere I go, people are wearing tees and jeans and they stand out with their accessories – shoes, hats, watches and headphones. I think it started with the original iPod headphones and everyone rocking white ear buds as a fashion statement. It wasn’t until Beats by Dre that you saw bigger headphones come in the mix. We took it to the next level by allowing people to easily swap colours of headbands and cables at a fraction of the cost.

Do you think people are becoming more aware of sound quality than before? And, if so, why?

Absolutely! Kevin Lee, our CEO and co-founder sums it up best when he says, “Good sound is subjective, bad sound is objective.” We all know bad sound and we want more, and know we can get it easier than ever.

And please could you tell us what your personal favourite headphones are?

I have over 100 different types of headphones and like a lot of different ones for different circumstances. My favourite for travelling is our SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks headphones because they are over-ear and really seal in the great sound, plus they are super light. I wore them the entire flight from LA to Sydney. I wear our Tracks HD on-ear headphones while bouncing around town and our Jax in-ear headphones when I’m at home and relaxing. Another favourite of mine is a set of Atomic Floyd in-ear headphones I picked up in Europe. They have a great design and nice mids and highs, but little bass so I listen to those when I’m listening to audio books. Then there is the Grado GS1. It is a great headphone for when I am home and getting into an album, but really expensive and a bit heavy so I don’t take them out while I’m on the go.

Blimey, we’re slacking! Thanks for talking to us, Seth!

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