Our Story

A new genre of product. A new dimension of expression. Worn on the most visible symbol of our love for technology and music.

Introducing qlix.

Wear them, collect them, mix and match them to your heart's content. Frame your persona in unique and striking ways. Elevate your vibe, protect your sound.

Personalization + Protection without Obscuring

qlix Frames are a fresh take on headphone accessories and protection. Our hope from the beginning was to give AirPods Max enthusiasts a new level of personalization while respecting the principles of slimness and minimal design. Our product was born from one simple question: why buy premium headphones just to hide them under a case? After much sketching, prototyping and trial and error (and lots of energy drinks) we had our results! Unique "frames" capable of housing infinite design iterations that users can mix and match! Personalize and protect without obscuring!

Our Goals

Minimal design

We understood that many of the reasons (beyond flexing) that people choose AirPods Max as their daily driver are its design, feel and build quality. We wanted to make a product that complemented that experience—adding an element of customization without overpowering or obscuring it. Why hide sleek aluminum under any old plastic case?

Smart Case, USB-C & Lightning compatibility

One of the most common questions we get is whether or not our frame cases fit inside the AirPods Max Smart Case (especially crucial given the Smart Case triggers the headphones to power down). The answer is yes. What's more, you can charge via USB-C or Lightning with the frames on with the Smart Case on top. Connectivity doesn't change!

Personalization

With the introduction of our second design, our dream of a more personalized AirPods Max is finally here. Mix and match colors and frame styles as you desire! Our original Drip Frames opened the door to 16 different color combinations. Now, with additional colors and our Chain Frames, the number of possible pairings exceeds 2,000!

Our Process

"Universal Frame"

With the above goals in mind, our process required us to create a slim, unique, and recognizable base design that could house all of our future designs. We settled on the concept of a "universal frame" that easily clips onto AirPods Max.

Prototyping

Through rapid prototyping we were able to hone our universal frame and experiment with different clip styles, thicknesses, and case profiles. Most importantly, we ensured that all cutouts accommodated the volume dial, noise-canceling button, and both generations of charging (USB-C and Lightning).

Injection Molding

Finally, we chose injection molding for its durability and scalability. Made from rapidly cooled thermoplastic resin, our frames are flexible, durable, and lightweight—only 0.05 lbs (0.025 kg)! This process ensures a high-quality product and quick production of all your favorite frame combos!

Thank you for your support!

We're a small (overcaffeinated) outfit based in Houston, TX, partnered with our manufacturer in South Korea. We like to think of qlix as a lovechild between Houston grillz culture and Seoul minimalism. We couldn't be more excited to bring them to life!

We appreciate your support! And we're especially excited to be expanding the qlix family. Be sure to visit our Kickstarter page as well as our Chain Frame page for more information on our upcoming frame case and color options.

Stay tuned for updates as we strive to improve our customer experience. And feel free to chat with us here, via email or on our socials. Welcome to the World of qlix!

-Qlix Team