VisiSonics
VisiSonics is a Maryland-based audio technology company providing physics-based spatial audio and acoustic measurement/visualization solutions for automotive NVH, consumer electronics, defense, gaming, and research markets; its RealSpace 3D audio business was divested to CEVA in May 2023.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersCollege Park, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What VisiSonics does
VisiSonics is a Maryland-based audio technology company founded in 2009 as a spinout from the University of Maryland. It develops physics-based 3D spatial audio rendering and acoustic measurement/visualization solutions. The company operated two product lines until May 2023: the RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio rendering engine for headphones, TWS earbuds, VR/AR, and gaming, and an Acoustic Measurement and Visualization hardware line (5/64 Audio Visual Camera, Planar Array, Portable Acoustic Camera, and VDAM digital array microphone system) supported by FINDr analysis software. RealSpace 3D incorporated personalization features including ML-extracted HRTFs from smartphone ear photos and 3D Audiogram remote hearing testing developed with University of Maryland researchers.
The company's commercial model combines technology licensing to consumer electronics brands, semiconductor manufacturers, and game developers with direct hardware sales of acoustic measurement systems to automotive manufacturers, research institutions, and industrial customers. RealSpace was ported across the major audio DSP platforms — Qualcomm QCC, Airoha (Tensilica HiFi), Beken (CEVA-X2), and Bestechniq ARM — and integrated with DSP Concepts' Audio Weaver and THX Spatial Audio. Notable commercial partners and customers included Oculus, boAt, THX, Tesla, Ford, BMW, SpaceX, USG, Andrea Systems, CEVA, and government researchers. The platform spans 8 issued patents and has received over $8M in cumulative government R&D funding.
In May 2023, CEVA, Inc. acquired the RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio business, technology, and patents from VisiSonics, ending the spatial audio licensing operation. The company continues to operate its acoustic measurement and visualization hardware business from its Riverdale Park, Maryland headquarters, serving automotive NVH, research, defense, and construction-materials customers. The company is privately held (VisiSonics Corporation, Maryland), operates with 11-50 employees, and is led by co-founders Dr. Ramani Duraiswami and Adam O'Donovan.
VisiSonics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VisiSonics
- Legal name
- VisiSonics Corporation
- Website
- https://visisonics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- VisiSonics is a Maryland-based audio technology company providing physics-based spatial audio and acoustic measurement/visualization solutions for automotive NVH, consumer electronics, defense, gaming, and research markets; its RealSpace 3D audio business was divested to CEVA in May 2023.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VisiSonics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 3D Spatial Audio Technology
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Industries (5122), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Immersive/Spatial Audio Production (Dolby Atmos, 5.1/7.1, Binaural) (MPAHAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB), Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB), Audio Encoding & Processing (Surround, Atmos, Normalization) (MPAHAHAI)
Keywords
Where VisiSonics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- College Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
VisiSonics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: VisiSonics licenses its RealSpace 3D spatial audio technology to consumer electronics brands, semiconductor manufacturers, and game developers. Licensing includes software integration support and customization for specific platforms and use cases.
- Hardware Products: Sale of acoustic measurement and visualization hardware including Audio Visual Cameras, Planar Arrays, Portable Acoustic Cameras, and Digital Array Microphone systems. Hardware is sold to automotive manufacturers, research institutions, and industrial customers.
- Software Licensing: Software-only versions of spatial audio technology available for integration into conferencing software, audio players, and consumer applications for existing headset users.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
VisiSonics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VisiSonics provides physics-based 3D spatial audio rendering technology (RealSpace) and acoustic measurement and visualization hardware solutions. The company offers two product lines: (1) RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio, a binaural rendering engine for headphones, TWS earbuds, mobile devices, gaming, and VR/AR, now wholly owned by CEVA Inc. since May 2023; and (2) Acoustic Measurement & Visualization hardware systems including the 5/64 Audio Visual Camera, Planar Array, Portable Acoustic Camera, and VisiSonics Digital Array Microphones (VDAM), all powered by the FINDr analysis software.
Product overview
VisiSonics is a 3D spatial audio technology company offering two distinct product lines: RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio and Acoustic Measurement and Visualization. RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio is a physics-based rendering engine available as embedded DSP libraries, software-only APIs, game engine plugins (Wwise, Unity, Unreal), and personalization solutions (HRTF and audiogram). The Acoustic Measurement and Visualization line comprises hardware products — the 5/64 Audio Visual Camera, Planar Array, Portable Acoustic Camera, and Digital Array Microphone (VDAM) — all powered by FINDr analysis software. RealSpace 3D was acquired by CEVA Inc. in May 2023 and is now wholly owned by CEVA, while VisiSonics retains its acoustic measurement and visualization business.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio: Physics-based 3D spatial audio rendering technology for headphones, mobile devices, VR/AR, and gaming applications.
- FINDr
- VDAM (VisiSonics Digital Array Microphone)
Products and services
- RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio Physics-based binaural spatial audio rendering engine providing immersive 3D sound through stereo headphones, supporting multi-channel, ambisonics, and object-based rendering with dynamic head tracking. Available as embedded DSP libraries, software APIs, browser-based delivery, and game engine plugins (Wwise, Unity, Unreal). RealSpace 3D is now wholly owned by CEVA, Inc. following the May 2023 acquisition.
- 5/64 Audio Visual Camera Spherical microphone and video array consisting of 5 HD video cameras and 64 microphones mounted on an aluminum sphere, generating synchronized and co-registered audio and video streams for real-time visualization of noise sources and reflections, with slow-motion recording up to 4000 fps. Used by automotive manufacturers such as Tesla, by construction materials companies such as USG Corporation, and by research institutions and acoustic consultants for NVH analysis.
- Planar Array Directional microphone array with 64 microphones using the same architecture as the Audio Visual Camera but in a planar form factor, optimized for focused area recordings. Includes FINDr analysis software with an Order Analysis Module for NVH diagnostics. Frequency range 400 Hz to 12 kHz.
- Portable Acoustic Camera (PAC) Fully portable, battery-powered, untethered microphone array with built-in NVH analysis and visualization, real-time acoustic visualization, slow-motion acoustic video at 4000 fps, order tracking for rotating machinery, and a frequency span down to 400 Hz. Includes a touch interface for field deployment by automotive and industrial users.
- VisiSonics Digital Array Microphone (VDAM) Patented digital microphone array with A/D conversion at the microphone capsule, eliminating the need for preamplifiers or rack-mounted equipment. Connects via USB directly to Matlab for real-time processing. Provides 24-bit digitization and customizable array designs for acoustics, electrical engineering, and architecture research.
- FINDr Software User-friendly acoustic analysis software used with VisiSonics microphone array products (Audio Visual Camera, Planar Array, PAC, VDAM) for recording, visualization, and analysis of noise sources and reflections. Supports real-time mode, optimized session management, and easy data comparison across sessions for NVH and industrial noise diagnostics.
- HRTF Personalization Software Personalized Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) extraction using ear photos captured via smartphone camera. Combines machine learning, anthropometric feature matching, and head-and-torso modeling with a proprietary HRTF database to generate individualized audio profiles for spatial audio applications in gaming, headphones, and VR/AR.
- 3D Audiogram Technology Remote hearing test technology developed with University of Maryland audiology researchers that automatically adapts audio content based on individual listening sensitivity across frequencies. Users self-administer the test via headphones, mobile devices, or PCs, enabling personalized audio for gaming headsets, military aviation, and consumer audio applications.
- RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio Game Engine Plugins Plugin versions of RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio for the Wwise, Unity, and Unreal game engines, enabling game developers and music producers to integrate immersive spatial audio into video games, metaverse experiences, and music production. Bundled into the THX Spatial Audio plugin suite following the April 2022 licensing agreement with THX Ltd.
Quantifiable outcome
- Improved STC ratings by +3 after identifying and sealing acoustic flanking paths
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use VisiSonics
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
VisiSonics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability7 records
Feature8 records
VisiSonics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- CEVA, Inc.coreCEVA acquired VisiSonics' spatial audio business in May 2023. The RealSpace 3D technology is now integrated with CEVA's MotionEngine sensor fusion software and licensed through CEVA's DSP platforms. Partnership enables CEVA to offer complete spatial audio solutions with head tracking to OEM customers.
- boAtmajorboAt, India's leading consumer electronics brand, featured RealSpace3D in their Nirvana Eutopia premium headphones with dynamic head tracking. First headphones with headtracking from boAt, demonstrated at CES 2023.
- DSP ConceptsmajorVisiSonics' RealSpace 3D spatial audio integrated with DSP Concepts' Audio Weaver development framework, enabling easier embedding into efficient chipsets. Included in DSP Concepts' TWS Toolkit powered by Audio Weaver.
- QualcommmajorRealSpace 3D spatial audio ported to Qualcomm QCC chip system for integration into TWS and headphone products.
- Airoha (MediaTek subsidiary)majorRealSpace 3D spatial audio ported to Airoha SoC/Audio Weaver by DSP Concepts (Tensilica HiFi) for TWS applications.
- BestechniqmajorRealSpace 3D spatial audio ported to Bestechniq ARM-based DSP chips for headphone and TWS integration.
- THX Ltd.coreTHX licensed VisiSonics' 3D audio and personalization technologies for integration into THX Spatial Audio tools for game developers and music producers, and for THX audio personalization in headsets. Creator tools include THX Spatial Audio plugins for Unity, Unreal, Wwise game engines.
- University of MarylandcorePartnership to create licensable 3D audiogram technology that adapts content based on individual hearing sensitivity. Research collaboration supported by Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program. Technology developed with UMD audiology researchers led by Dr. Matthew Goupell.
- Andrea SystemsmajorAndrea Systems incorporating VisiSonics' RealSpace 3D technology into a 3D audio conversion kit for military aircraft. Proprietary kit enables upgrading existing aircraft communication systems with spatial audio to improve pilot situational awareness and reduce fatigue.
- Beken CorporationmajorJoint reference design with CEVA and VisiSonics bringing complete 3D spatial audio hardware and software solution to headset and TWS earbud OEMs and ODMs. Beken's BK3288X Bluetooth Audio SoC with CEVA-X2 Audio DSP running RealSpace 3D software.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
VisiSonics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Polytec: Polytec manufactures laser vibrometers and acoustic measurement hardware used in NVH testing and acoustic research. Competes with VisiSonics' acoustic cameras in automotive NVH and industrial noise detection end markets.
- THX Ltd. THX licensed VisiSonics' 3D audio and personalization technologies in 2022 to power THX Spatial Audio for game developers and headset personalization. THX also competes directly as a spatial audio tools provider, with overlapping Unity/Unreal/Wwise plugins.
- Brüel & Kjær (HBK): HBK's Brüel & Kjær is the dominant supplier of acoustic measurement instrumentation and microphone arrays used in automotive NVH, aerospace, and research. Directly competes with VisiSonics' Audio Visual Camera, Planar Array, and VDAM hardware products.
- Dolby Laboratories: Dolby Atmos is the dominant spatial audio format for headphones, mobile, and home theater. Dolby directly competes with VisiSonics' RealSpace 3D rendering engine and has substantially larger OEM licensing reach, brand recognition, and R&D resources.
- Meta (Oculus VR Audio): Oculus was VisiSonics' first major VR audio licensee (2014). Meta's Reality Labs now develops first-party spatial audio for Quest headsets, and continues to evaluate third-party spatial audio engines including RealSpace — making Meta both a former customer and a long-term competitive threat in VR audio.
- Microflown Technologies: Microflown produces particle velocity sensors and acoustic cameras for NVH, auralization, and acoustic source localization. Comparable technology and customer base to VisiSonics' acoustic measurement hardware product line.
Broad incumbents
- Apple Spatial Audio: Apple's Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos is integrated across AirPods, iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While not a direct licensor, Apple's bundled spatial audio experience competes with RealSpace 3D for OEM mindshare and consumer expectations.
- Sony 360 Reality Audio: Sony's 360 Reality Audio platform provides spatial audio rendering for music and headphones, bundled with Sony's broader consumer electronics ecosystem. Comparable in target use case (spatial headphone audio) but operates at vastly larger scale through Sony's hardware distribution.
Emerging players
- Hot Sound Audio (Binaural recording/processing): Niche providers of binaural/HRTF spatial audio rendering tools and plugins that compete with VisiSonics' RealSpace engine for game audio, VR/AR, and headphone applications.
- Smyth Research (SVS): Smyth Research develops real-time head-tracked spatial audio renderers for headphones (SVS technology). Comparable in delivering personalized HRTF-based binaural rendering, but focused on consumer headphone listening rather than OEM licensing.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
VisiSonics social profiles
Digital presenceVisiSonics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VisiSonics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
VisiSonics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VisiSonics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VisiSonics
What does VisiSonics do?
VisiSonics provides physics-based 3D spatial audio rendering technology (RealSpace) and acoustic measurement and visualization hardware solutions. The company offers two product lines: (1) RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio, a binaural rendering engine for headphones, TWS earbuds, mobile devices, gaming, and VR/AR, now wholly owned by CEVA Inc. since May 2023; and (2) Acoustic Measurement & Visualization hardware systems including the 5/64 Audio Visual Camera, Planar Array, Portable Acoustic Camera, and VisiSonics Digital Array Microphones (VDAM), all powered by the FINDr analysis software.
Is VisiSonics a public or private company?
VisiSonics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was VisiSonics founded?
VisiSonics was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is VisiSonics based?
VisiSonics is headquartered in College Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does VisiSonics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are hardware Products and software Licensing.
Who are VisiSonics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Polytec, THX Ltd., Brüel & Kjær (HBK), Dolby Laboratories, Meta (Oculus VR Audio) and Microflown Technologies. Broad incumbents are Apple Spatial Audio and Sony 360 Reality Audio. Emerging players are Hot Sound Audio (Binaural recording/processing) and Smyth Research (SVS).
Does VisiSonics have an API?
No public API is recorded for VisiSonics.
What industry is VisiSonics in?
VisiSonics's product category is 3D Spatial Audio Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAEAJ, Immersive/Spatial Audio Production (Dolby Atmos, 5.1/7.1, Binaural), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAB, Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors). Its NAICS code is 5122 and its SIC code is 3823.