Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi
Pros:
- Delivering impressive and immersive sound quality.
- Offers multiple sound profiles for various preferences.
- Supports aptX HD codecs for high-resolution audio.
- Designed for extended comfort during prolonged use.
- Features good call quality with its included microphone.
- Provides decent battery life, especially in Hear and Feel modes.
- Allows user-replaceable ear-pads for customization.
- Proudly conceptualized and manufactured in India.
Cons:
- Lacks active noise cancellation (ANC) and has below-average passive noise isolation.
- The ‘Beast’ mode can sometimes produce overly intense sound; could benefit from improved tuning.
- Buttons could be better positioned and constructed for easier use.
- The companion app is currently under development and lacks full functionality.
Price: Rs 16,999
Rating: 3.8/5
Rapture Innovations Labs, a burgeoning Indian startup, has introduced a pair of wireless headphones that promise not just good sound, but a sound experience you can truly feel. While its feature set may appear modest compared to competitors in the Rs 15,000+ price range, the company prioritizes one crucial element: sound quality. The Sonic Lamb headphones have been generating buzz for months, and we finally had the opportunity to put them to the test. Let’s dive into our firsthand experience.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi
Sonic Lamb – Build, Design, and Comfort: 8/10
The Sonic Lamb on-ear headphones sport a sleek, understated two-tone design, particularly striking in the Obsidian Black variant we reviewed. For those who prefer a bit more flair, there are two additional color options available. Constructed mainly from lightweight plastic, they strike a good balance with just the right amount of clamping force.
Adjusting the height is effortless, and both the ear-cups and headband are generously padded, ensuring comfort during extended wear. Notably, the user-replaceable ear pads, soon to be available on the company’s website, enhance long-term usability.
Wearing the Sonic Lamb for a few hours remains comfortable, though it can get slightly warm after an hour or so – a common occurrence with on-ear designs. However, it’s always advisable to take short breaks for your ears’ sake. In terms of build quality, it generally holds up well, except for the somewhat delicate physical buttons located on the right ear-cup. While functional, their placement could be more intuitive, often requiring a bit of searching to find and operate smoothly.
The buttons on the right earcup of the Sonic Lamb headphones serve multiple functions, including play/pause, track skipping, volume adjustment, power control, and pairing mode activation. Additionally, the right earcup features a USB-C charging port, a connector for an optional boom mic, and a versatile multimode wheel (more on this shortly). An LED status indicator is located at the rear of the earcup for easy monitoring.
For added convenience, the earcups can be rotated and flattened, making them easy to store in the sleek carrying case provided by the company.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi
Sonic Lamb – Key Features: 7/10
The Bluetooth 5.1 on-ear Sonic Lamb headphones boast impressive codec support. They are compatible with SBC and AAC codecs, as well as Qualcomm’s aptX and aptX HD, ensuring high-quality audio transmission. Multi-point connectivity allows simultaneous pairing with two devices, offering added convenience.
However, it’s worth noting that these headphones do not feature active noise cancellation (ANC). Additionally, wear detection sensors, which automatically pause audio playback when the headphones are removed, are also absent, which may be a consideration for some users.
While a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack is not included, you can utilize the bundled USB-C cable to use the Sonic Lamb headphones in wired mode. Moving to the drivers, there’s an intriguing setup with hybrid drivers. Each earcup not only houses two microphones for clear calling and noise suppression but also features a dynamic driver and an Impulse driver. The dynamic driver handles various frequency ranges, focusing on mids and highs, while the Impulse driver acts akin to a subwoofer, delivering robust bass performance.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi
The proprietary Impulse driver not only delivers audible bass but also utilizes conduction technology to provide a physical sensation of the sound that you can feel. This feature is quite unique and proves effective in practice. The headphones offer a multimode wheel that allows you to select from four different bass intensities: Hear, Feel, Immerse, and Beast modes, each offering varying levels of bass enhancement. For further sound customization, the Sonic Lamb app is available, though it’s still in development and currently lacks some polish.
Sonic Lamb – Performance: 8.5/10
Image Credit: Loz Blain / New Atlas
Let’s dive into what matters most: the sound quality of the Sonic Lamb headphones. Without active noise cancellation (ANC), the focus shifts entirely to the audio experience. However, it’s important to note that the passive noise isolation falls short, making these headphones less suitable for noisy environments like public transport or bustling areas. Even with their comfortable earpads, ambient sounds can still seep through, such as the hum of a fan in a quiet room.
During our testing, attempting to use them on a local train quickly proved impractical due to the distracting background noise bleeding into every track. Moreover, lacking any ingress protection means they’re not ideal for activities like jogging where sweat could potentially damage them.
Moving on to sound quality, the default Hear mode offers a near-neutral sound signature with well-balanced bass, clear vocals in the mids, impressive instrument separation, and just the right amount of sparkle in the highs. For those craving more bass, switching to Feel mode via the intuitive multimode wheel enhances the lower frequencies, thanks to the unique Impulse driver. This mode adds warmth and a satisfying thump to the bass without overshadowing the mids.
Stepping up to Immerse mode intensifies the bass further, which is better suited for immersive media like action movies or gaming, providing a more dynamic audio experience. However, for everyday music listening, it might be a bit overwhelming. The final stop on the wheel, Beast mode, caters to hardcore bass enthusiasts but can be overwhelming due to its pronounced bass that may lead to listener fatigue. Even the earpads vibrate noticeably, potentially distorting the audio experience.
In terms of volume, the Sonic Lamb remains audible from 50% onwards and performs well with minimal wireless range issues or latency concerns.
Sonic Lamb – Call Quality: 8/10
The microphone quality on the Sonic Lamb headphones is commendable, and attaching the included boom mic further enhances clarity for calls and gaming. It effectively suppresses wind and ambient noise, though outdoor use may slightly soften voices due to noise cancellation. For indoor calls, however, clarity is excellent.
Sonic Lamb – Battery Life: 7/10
Battery performance varies significantly depending on the selected sound mode. Expect around 24 hours in Hear mode, dropping to under 5 hours in Beast mode. During our testing, a mix of Hear and Feel modes provided approximately 20 hours of playback, equivalent to about a week’s worth of daily use.
Charging the headphones fully takes about 2 hours with a standard USB-C charger, though quick top-up options are absent. Oddly, checking battery levels directly from Bluetooth settings on Android phones isn’t possible; instead, it requires using the companion app.
Sonic Lamb – Price and Verdict
Image Credit: Loz Blain / New Atlas
Priced at Rs 16,999 in India with a one-year warranty, the Sonic Lamb competes in a unique niche. While it faces competition from established brands like Sony and Sennheiser, it offers a distinct listening experience. Consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 as an alternative, though the Sonic Lamb stands out for its enjoyable sound and tactile bass experience.
Despite minor flaws typical of a debut product, Rapture Innovations Labs impresses with their inaugural offering. With potential improvements in app functionality and firmware updates, achieving a higher rating seems plausible. This debut signals a promising start for an Indian brand in the competitive audio market, poised to challenge and innovate alongside established industry giants.