Rapture Innovation Labs Sonic Lamb headphones sit at the centre of a different conversation in consumer technology. Instead of competing on price or features, the startup focuses on how sound reaches the human body. Founded in 2018 by Navajith Karkera and Jagath Biddappa, the Bengaluru-based company builds headphones that allow users to hear music and feel it at the same time.

The product, Sonic Lamb, uses a patented hybrid driver system. It combines air conduction, which sends sound through the ear canal, with body conduction, which transfers vibration through physical contact. This design changes how bass and rhythm are experienced. Instead of pushing higher volume, the headphones share the load between ears and body.

Early Interest in Engineering and Sound

Navajith Karkera showed an interest in electronics from a young age. He often took apart household devices to understand how they worked. His family encouraged learning by giving him basic electronics kits. This exposure shaped his interest in engineering.

Karkera later studied mechanical engineering. Jagath Biddappa studied electrical engineering. The two met during their engineering years and shared a common interest in sound systems, vibration, and human response to audio.

Their early experiments did not focus on music. They worked on hearing implants and audio communication systems for safety helmets. These systems used bone and skin conduction so sound could travel without blocking the ears. The goal was safety and clarity, not entertainment.

Shifting From Safety Gear to Consumer Audio

By early 2019, the founders decided to adapt their research for everyday use. They saw potential in applying conduction-based sound systems to personal listening devices. This led them to redesign their technology into a headphone format.

The result was a hybrid driver system. It blends traditional air-based sound with vibration-based feedback. This allows listeners to feel low frequencies instead of relying only on loud sound.

The founders say this approach reduces ear fatigue during long listening sessions. It also creates a deeper connection with music, especially for bass-heavy genres.

Launch of Sonic Lamb

Sonic Lamb became the first commercial product of Rapture Innovation Labs. The headphones are priced at ₹15,999, placing them in the premium segment. The company does not target mass-market buyers.

Instead, Sonic Lamb focuses on users who value sound quality and physical engagement. This includes audiophiles, musicians, and listeners who spend long hours with headphones.

According to the founders, around 60 percent of Sonic Lamb sales come from the United States. This suggests stronger demand for experimental audio products in global markets than in India, where pricing often drives decisions.

A Different Approach in a Crowded Market

India’s audio market is crowded with low-cost headphones and earbuds. Many brands compete on discounts and cosmetic changes. Rapture Innovation Labs follows a different path.

Karkera says much of the industry shifted focus away from sound reproduction toward branding and features. Sonic Lamb aims to bring attention back to how sound is produced and delivered.

This strategy limits scale but builds a clear product identity. The company focuses on engineering depth, patents, and research rather than rapid expansion.

Global Recognition and Support

Rapture Innovation Labs gained global attention when it was selected for the SoundTech accelerator programme by Sound Hub Denmark. Sound Hub Denmark is known for supporting companies working on advanced sound systems.

Only seven startups worldwide were selected for the programme. Participation gave the founders access to testing labs, sound engineers, and mentors in Europe.

The startup has also received support from Deshpande Startups, the National Institute of Design, T-Hub, SINE IIT Bombay, and angel investors. These institutions often back companies focused on original hardware development.

How Sonic Lamb Works

Traditional headphones send sound only through the ears. Sonic Lamb adds a second path. Body conduction transfers vibration through the skin and skull.

This allows users to sense bass without increasing volume. The experience feels closer to live sound or speaker systems. It also helps maintain clarity at lower listening levels.

The founders say Sonic Lamb does not replace speakers or studio equipment. It offers an alternative way to experience music in personal settings.

Industry Feedback

Audio professionals have taken note of the product. Ratish Pandey, former general manager at Bose Corporation, has pointed out that the founders invested time in global testing and refinement. He believes this approach sets the product apart from many consumer gadgets.

Such feedback matters in an industry where many products rely on marketing rather than engineering change.

Recent Developments and Future Plans

In recent months, Rapture Innovation Labs has focused on improving manufacturing quality and supply stability. The team is also working on tuning performance across different devices and music formats.

The founders are exploring use cases beyond music. These include gaming and virtual reality, where physical feedback plays a larger role in user experience.

The company plans to grow at a controlled pace. The focus remains on refining the product rather than chasing volume.

A Slower Path in Consumer Technology

Rapture Innovation Labs represents a different type of consumer hardware startup. It prioritises research, testing, and patents over fast product cycles.

For Navajith Karkera and Jagath Biddappa, success means offering a new way to engage with sound. Not louder. Not cheaper. Just different.

As audio technology evolves, products like Sonic Lamb may influence how people think about listening. Not only as hearing, but as a physical experience.

FAQs

Q1. Who are Navajith Karkera and Jagath Biddappa?
They are Indian engineers and co-founders of Rapture Innovation Labs. Navajith Karkera is the CEO, and Jagath Biddappa is the CTO.

Q2. What is Sonic Lamb?
Sonic Lamb is a premium headphone developed by Rapture Innovation Labs that uses hybrid driver technology to let users hear and feel music.

Q3. What is the price of Sonic Lamb headphones?
Sonic Lamb headphones are priced at ₹15,999.

Q4. Where are Sonic Lamb headphones sold the most?
According to the company, most Sonic Lamb sales come from the United States.