As the founder of Ikarao, I am excited to share the inspiring story behind our brand. It all started one Christmas when I was in the US with my family. Wanting to create a memorable experience, I ordered a karaoke machine as a gift for my niece.Little did I know that this decision would spark my determination to revolutionize the karaoke industry.
A DISAPPOINTING CHRISTMAS
The Birth of a Vision
The karaoke set I bought turned out to be a letdown. The product was falsely advertised as a karaoke machine with a screen, but it was actually just a tool to connect to a karaoke app. This meant that my family and friends couldn't fully immerse themselves in the karaoke experience, as they struggled to remember the lyrics without a visible display.
To make matters worse, the machine had numerous technical issues. Within an hour of use, the audio started skipping randomly, and the Bluetooth connectivity was unreliable. One of the microphones stopped working altogether, while the other was intermittent.
As if that wasn't enough, the speaker blew out after only three uses, posing a serious safety hazard that resulted in my niece getting hurt. This incident deeply affected me and made me realize that there was a dire need for a truly reliable and high-quality karaoke machine.
BREAKING THE MOLD
Challenging the Karaoke Machine Industry
Driven by my disappointment and the shared experiences of countless others, I delved into researching the karaoke machine industry. What I discovered shocked me.
The technology and design of these machines had stagnated for over a decade. Most brands relied on outdated and generic models, resulting in a market flooded with similar-looking products.
Furthermore, many so-called "western" brands were nothing more than small OEM labels in China, lacking consistent factory standards. That is why the score on Amazon is very low.
FROM FRUSTRATION TO INNOVATION
Redefining the Karaoke Experience
It was clear that the market needed a revolution in karaoke machine design. We wanted to address the shortcomings of existing products, such as outdated designs, complex interfaces, short battery life, lack of safety features, and excessive bulkiness. Most importantly, we aimed to provide a karaoke machine with a built-in screen, eliminating the need for users to rely on their smartphones for lyrics while singing.
However, as a newcomer to the industry, breaking through these barriers was a significant challenge. I assembled a team of dedicated engineers and set out to redesign the entire structure and circuitry of a karaoke machine from scratch. We were determined to create a product that combined stability, safety, and high quality, while remaining lightweight and portable.
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
The Journey of Iteration and Perfection
Our journey was not without obstacles. We visited over 1,000 families to understand their needs and preferences. We invested more than 5 million R&D costs and collaborated with over 100 engineers who spent three years refining our ideas.
Throughout this process, we went through over 80 iterations of technical solutions, constantly improving our design.
Finally, after countless hours of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, Ikarao launched its first product—the, the truly portable all-in-one karaoke machine.
We successfully integrated a built-in microphone charging system and achieved a perfect balance between power and weight. The sleek design, optimized volume, and clean lines made our machine stand out from the crowd.
Most importantly, it featured a built-in screen, ensuring that users could fully immerse themselves in the karaoke experience without relying on additional devices.
" make the world a better place, connecting people and creating memorable moments"
At IKARAO, our mission is to provide innovative, affordable, and inclusive karaoke products that enrich people's musical experiences. We strive to challenge the status quo, constantly improving and evolving our offerings, while fostering a welcoming and diverse community centered around the joy of karaoke.
DRIVEN BY LOVE
We envision a world where everyone has access to high-quality karaoke products that enhance their musical journey. Through our commitment to innovation, affordability, and inclusivity, we aim to revolutionize the karaoke industry and create a global community where people from all walks of life can come together, celebrate their love for music, and have fun with karaoke.