BACCH Labs

What BACCH Labs does

BACCH Labs is a private spatial audio IP licensing company founded in 2017 by James Mentz (CEO), Professor Edgar Choueiri (President and CTO), and Sam Caldwell (VP of Engineering) to commercialize the BACCH 3D Sound technology developed over more than a decade at Princeton University's 3D Audio and Applied Acoustics (3D3A) Laboratory. The company serves as the exclusive licensing clearinghouse for the 3D3A Lab's spatial audio IP portfolio, which includes 8 granted patents, 25 proprietary algorithms, and 25 software packages. BACCH Labs is headquartered in Princeton, NJ with an engineering office in Gainesville, FL, and operates with approximately 13 named employees; the company is legally separate from Theoretica Applied Physics, which sells high-end audiophile hardware products incorporating the technology.

The company's core offering is BACCH 3D Sound (Band-Assembled Crosstalk Cancellation Hierarchy), a crosstalk cancellation filter technology that delivers spatially accurate 3D audio from stereo or binaural content played through loudspeakers or headphones without the tonal coloration and dynamic range loss that historically prevented XTC adoption. The technology is delivered in three variants: BACCH|SP for stereo loudspeakers (with optional individualized HRTF calibration via the BACCH-BM binaural microphone), BACCH|HP for headphones (with full head externalization and rotational head tracking), and BACCH|X for phased speaker arrays (multi-listener simultaneous sweet spots and personal sound zones with up to 30dB isolation). Distribution occurs through SDKs targeting Qualcomm Snapdragon (BACCH4Hexagon), CSR/QCC Bluetooth SoCs (BACCH4Kalimba), Analog Devices SigmaDSP (BACCH4ADAU), Linux/ALSA (BACCH4ALSA), and Android/iOS/Windows/Mac applications (BACCH4Apps), plus native Audio IP Module integration within DSP Concepts' Audio Weaver platform used widely across automotive and consumer audio design flows.

BACCH Labs monetizes through multiple streams: B2B SDK and IP licensing to OEMs (quote-based, multi-year contracts), direct-to-consumer software sales of the u-BACCH Audio Plug-In via shop.bacch.com, and indirect hardware revenue via Theoretica Applied Physics which sells the BACCH-SP Grand digital audio processor and BACCH-dSP/BACCH4Mac software suite to the high-end audiophile and professional audio market. Target customer segments include consumer electronics OEMs, automotive manufacturers and tier-1 audio suppliers, streaming and media services, gaming and XR developers, pro audio and content creators, and healthcare/hearing applications. The company's most documented historical deployment was licensing to Jawbone, where BACCH 3D Sound shipped in millions of Big Jambox and Mini Jambox Bluetooth speakers branded as 'LiveAudio.' The company has raised approximately $5.87M in cumulative funding across rounds from 2009-2021, with no institutional venture rounds disclosed in the source data.

Name

BACCH Labs

Legal name

BACCH Laboratories, Inc.

Website

https://bacch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BACCH Labs is a private spatial audio IP licensing company commercializing patented crosstalk cancellation technology from Princeton University's 3D3A Laboratory, delivering 3D sound for speakers, headphones, and speaker arrays via B2B SDKs to OEMs and consumer software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spatial Audio Technology

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

akta.pro primary industry

Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB)

Keywords

• Spatial audio technology
• 3D audio processing
• Audio SDK licensing
• Crosstalk cancellation
• Immersive sound IP

Headquarters

HQ city

Princeton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. IP Licensing / SDK Licensing: BACCH Labs licenses its IP portfolio and SDKs to consumer electronics manufacturers, automotive companies, gaming developers, and streaming services. Licensing covers technologies for speakers, headphones, and speaker arrays. SDKs available for Qualcomm Snapdragon, CSR/QCC Bluetooth, Analog Devices ADAU, Linux/ALSA, Android/iOS/Windows/Mac.
2. Consumer Software Sales (Direct): Direct-to-consumer sales of the u-BACCH audio plug-in for Mac and Windows via shop.bacch.com. Also the BACCH4Mac software package sold via Theoretica Applied Physics. A 14-day free trial is offered for BACCH-dSP.
3. Hardware Product Sales (via Theoretica Applied Physics): BACCH Labs is a separate entity from Theoretica Applied Physics, which develops and sells high-end audio hardware products including the BACCH-SP Grand digital audio processor and BACCH-dSP software application. Theoretica handles the high-end consumer/pro audio hardware segment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BACCH Labs is an IP licensing company and technology clearinghouse for spatial audio, commercializing the BACCH 3D Sound (Band-Assembled Crosstalk Cancellation Hierarchy) technology developed at Princeton University's 3D3A Laboratory. The company licenses SDKs and algorithms to consumer electronics, automotive, gaming, and streaming companies for embedding 3D spatial audio into devices, and sells direct-to-consumer software (u-BACCH plug-in) for Mac and Windows.

Product overview

BACCH Labs is an IP licensing company and technology clearinghouse for spatial audio, built around the patented BACCH 3D Sound technology developed at Princeton University's 3D3A Laboratory. The product portfolio centers on three core technology variants — BACCH|SP (crosstalk cancellation for loudspeakers), BACCH|HP (headphone 3D with externalization), and BACCH|X (phased-array multi-listener and personal sound zones) — delivered through a layered go-to-market approach: (1) hardware products via sister company Theoretica Applied Physics (BACCH-SP Grand processor, BACCH-dSP/BACCH4Mac desktop suite); (2) direct-to-consumer software (u-BACCH Plug-In for universal speaker-angle-based filtering, LiveAudio for Jawbone Jambox); (3) B2B SDKs and Audio Weaver modules for OEM/ODM integration across Qualcomm Snapdragon, CSR/Kalimbra, Analog Devices SigmaDSP, Linux/ALSA, Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac platforms; and (4) spatial audio tools (head tracking, HOA rendering, binaural microphones) for XR/VR developers. The company operates as a separate licensing entity from Theoretica Applied Physics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• u-BACCH Audio Plug-In A universal BACCH filter plug-in that creates spatial audio from any symmetrical stereo device (laptops, tablets, soundbars, Bluetooth speakers) using only the speaker angle as input, requiring no microphones, hardware, or additional setup. Sold directly to consumers via shop.bacch.com for Mac and Windows.
• BACCH4Kalimba SDK Complete Software Development Kit for the CSR 8670 series and Qualcomm QCC5100 series Bluetooth SoCs (Kalimba DSP). Enables wireless speaker and headphone manufacturers to embed BACCH 3D audio. Includes BACCH 3D Sound library, demo app with source code, and sink app.
• BACCH4Hexagon SDK Complete kit for Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs that enables handset OEMs to incorporate BACCH 3D Sound technology into mobile phones and tablets.
• BACCH4ADAU SDK BACCH audio processing technologies for Analog Devices ADAU1466 and ADAU1467 SigmaDSPs, delivered as an Add-In for Sigma Studio. Includes BACCH-SP processing and evaluation blocks.
• BACCH4ALSA SDK BACCH Audio for the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) — a BACCH 3D audio processing utility for Linux platforms running on Intel or ARM CPUs. Includes multiple BACCH 3D Sound profiles, documentation, and source code.
• BACCH4Apps SDK Complete Software Development Kit for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac OS app developers to incorporate BACCH 3D Sound technology into applications. Includes a library and a complete Demo App with source code.
• BACCH Spatial Audio Tools A suite of advanced spatial audio algorithms for XR, VR, and AR applications, including head tracking, high-resolution impulse response measurements, headphones equalization, sliding convolvers, robust FIR interpolation, 3D mixing, early reflection and room reverb synthesis, and HOA-to-binaural rendering. Includes the BACCH-BM Pro binaural microphone.
• LiveAudio for Jawbone Jambox BACCH 3D effect implemented in Jawbone's Big Jambox and Mini Jambox Bluetooth speakers. Big Jambox ships with LiveAudio pre-installed; Mini Jambox requires a Windows-based firmware update to enable the feature.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3D audio delivery for millions of consumer devices (Jawbone Jambox with LiveAudio)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Princeton University 3D3A LaboratorycoreTechnology or IntegrationBACCH Labs is the exclusive IP licensing clearinghouse for the portfolio produced by Princeton University's 3D3A Laboratory (3D Audio and Applied Acoustics Lab), led by Professor Edgar Choueiri. The company also develops additional internal IP in spatial audio. This is the foundational technology relationship — all core BACCH patents and algorithms originated from this research lab.
• DSP ConceptscoreTechnology or IntegrationBACCH algorithms are built natively within DSP Concepts' Audio Weaver platform as Audio IP Modules, making BACCH technology portable across all Audio Weaver-supported processors. Audio Weaver is a standard platform across automotive and consumer electronics markets. DSP Concepts distributes and supports the Audio Weaver platform.
• JawbonemajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerBACCH Labs licensed its BACCH 3D Sound technology to Jawbone for use in the Big Jambox and Mini Jambox Bluetooth speakers. On Jambox, BACCH was branded as 'LiveAudio.' This partnership resulted in millions of Jambox units shipped with BACCH technology, one of the first large-scale consumer deployments of the technology.
• Theoretica Applied PhysicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBACCH Labs and Theoretica Applied Physics are separate entities. Theoretica is a company dedicated to developing and selling BACCH-powered products (BACCH-SP Grand hardware processor, BACCH-dSP software) for the high-end audiophile and professional audio sector. BACCH Labs handles IP licensing; Theoretica handles high-end consumer products.
• QualcommmajorTechnology or IntegrationBACCH4Hexagon SDK enables handset OEMs to incorporate BACCH 3D Sound technology into mobile phones and tablets powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs. This enables large-scale deployment of BACCH in the smartphone market.
• Qualcomm / CSR (QCC5100 series)majorTechnology or IntegrationBACCH4Kalimba is a complete SDK for the CSR 8670 series and Qualcomm QCC5100 series of Bluetooth SoCs, enabling wireless speaker and headphone manufacturers to embed BACCH 3D audio. Includes demo app and sink app with full source code.
• Analog DevicesmajorTechnology or IntegrationBACCH4ADAU provides BACCH-SP audio processing technologies as an Add-In for Analog Devices Sigma Studio targeting ADAU1466 and ADAU1467 SigmaDSPs. Available via evaluation download in Sigma Studio and licensed version upon contact.
• UF Innovate | The Hub (University of Florida)supportingOthersBACCH Labs maintains its engineering office at UF Innovate | The Hub in Gainesville, FL, a university-affiliated innovation and startup support facility.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dolby Laboratories: Dolby develops and licenses Dolby Atmos, the dominant spatial audio format for cinema, home, mobile, and automotive. Both Dolby and BACCH Labs license spatial audio IP to OEMs, content platforms, and chip makers — they directly compete for the same OEM design wins and streaming service partnerships.
• Sony (360 Reality Audio): Sony's 360 Reality Audio is a spatial audio technology licensed to streaming services, headphones, and automotive audio platforms. Like BACCH, it competes for OEM integration deals and content ecosystem partnerships in the spatial audio market.
• Xperi (DTS): Xperi owns DTS and DTS:X, a competing spatial audio format deployed in cinemas, home theaters, headphones, and automotive audio. Both companies license audio processing IP to consumer electronics and automotive OEMs in the same design-in cycles.
• Dirac Research: Dirac licenses audio optimization software — including spatial audio, room correction, and headphone personalization — to automotive, headphone, and consumer electronics OEMs. Like BACCH, it competes for premium automotive audio design wins and chip-level integration.
• Comhear: Comhear develops spatial audio and beamforming technology licensed to speaker and headphone manufacturers. It competes directly with BACCH in delivering personalized, head-tracked 3D audio playback on consumer devices.
• THX Ltd. THX licenses audio certification and spatial sound technologies to consumer electronics, automotive, and cinema customers. Both companies compete to bring premium spatial audio quality marks and processing IP into high-end consumer products.
• Waves Audio: Waves licenses audio processing plugins and DSP technology for music production, consumer audio, and live sound. It competes with BACCH on audio processing IP licensing into consumer electronics, automotive, and content production tools.

Broad incumbents

• Apple (Spatial Audio): Apple's Spatial Audio is integrated across AirPods, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Music as part of a broader consumer hardware and services ecosystem. While not a direct licensor to third parties, Apple sets the competitive benchmark that BACCH must beat to win iOS-ecosystem-adjacent OEM deals.
• Bose Corporation: Bose develops proprietary spatial audio and AR audio technology embedded in its own consumer headphones, soundbars, and automotive audio systems. As a vertically integrated incumbent, it competes with BACCH for premium audio brand recognition and OEM partnerships.

Others

• DSP Concepts: DSP Concepts operates the Audio Weaver audio development platform used across automotive and consumer audio OEMs, and is a direct technology partner of BACCH Labs. While not a competitor — it bundles BACCH as an IP module — it is the most strategically relevant ecosystem participant for understanding BACCH's distribution leverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/bacch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bacch-laboratories

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BACCH Labs