QSC
QSC is a Costa Mesa-based designer and manufacturer of integrated audio, video, and control (AV&C) solutions serving enterprise AV integrators, live sound professionals, and venue operators globally through its Q-SYS cloud platform and QSC Audio hardware lines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersCosta Mesa, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What QSC does
QSC is a Costa Mesa, California-based designer and manufacturer of integrated audio, video, and control (AV&C) solutions, founded in 1968 and operating globally through offices in nine-plus countries. The company delivers its offerings via two complementary brands: Q-SYS, a cloud-first AV&C platform built around Q-SYS Cores (proprietary processing hardware), Designer software, Q-LAN networking protocol, UCI user-control interfaces, and the Reflect Enterprise Manager cloud monitoring service; and QSC Audio, a legacy professional audio line spanning loudspeakers, subwoofers, amplifiers (including K Series and PowerLight lines), and digital mixers such as TouchMix. Proprietary technology differentiators include Intrinsic Correction speaker processing, GuardRail amplifier/speaker protection, Advanced Thermal Management, and Flexible Amplifier Summing Technology.
Revenue is generated across four streams: hardware sales of QSC Audio professional products; Q-SYS platform solutions spanning Cores, I/O frames, network video endpoints, and software; recurring cloud subscriptions (Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager, UCI licenses); and professional services including commissioning, training, and technical support. Distribution is hybrid: direct e-commerce through qsc.com for selected products, authorized dealers and integrators for enterprise AV deployments, direct enterprise field sales for large-scale projects, and international distributors covering underpenetrated regions. Customer segments are horizontal and split between Enterprise AV integrators/end users (primary), Professional Audio and Live Sound (primary), and Cinema/Theater (secondary, partially divested in 2025).
Following its January 2025 acquisition by Acuity Brands (now Acuity Inc.) for $1.215 billion, QSC operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary and serves as the audio, video, and control core of Acuity's Intelligent Spaces Group segment, which reported $257.4M in Q1 FY2026 revenue. The 2025 divestiture of the DCS Cinema Loudspeaker line to Moving iMage Technologies and the 2026 launches of RoomSuite (collaboration), NVM Series (network video distribution), and VisionSuite (AI-powered presenter tracking) reflect a strategic sharpening toward enterprise AV&C and software-led growth.
QSC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- QSC
- Legal name
- QSC, LLC
- Website
- https://qsc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- QSC is a Costa Mesa-based designer and manufacturer of integrated audio, video, and control (AV&C) solutions serving enterprise AV integrators, live sound professionals, and venue operators globally through its Q-SYS cloud platform and QSC Audio hardware lines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
QSC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Audio and AV Control Systems
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Home Theater Installation, Calibration & Custom AV Services Retail (CRACAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail (CRACAEAE), DJ & Performance Gear (Controllers, Turntables, CDJs, Mixers) (MPAIAJAC)
Keywords
Where QSC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Costa Mesa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
QSC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: QSC generates revenue from selling professional audio hardware including speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, and digital mixers under the QSC Audio brand. Products range from portable battery-powered speakers to large-scale fixed installation loudspeakers.
- Q-SYS Platform Solutions: Revenue from Q-SYS integrated AV platform including hardware (Cores, I/O frames, network video endpoints) and software (Designer Software, Reflect Enterprise Manager cloud service, UCI licenses).
- Professional Services: Professional commissioning services, training programs (live and online), and technical support services for Q-SYS and QSC Audio products.
- Software Subscriptions: Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager cloud subscription services and software licenses for system configuration and management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise AV solutions sold via custom quotes based on system requirements and scale. |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
QSC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
QSC designs and manufactures professional audio hardware (loudspeakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, digital mixers) under the QSC Audio brand and delivers the Q-SYS cloud-first AV software platform integrating audio, video, and control for enterprise/commercial installations. The company sells to AV integrators, enterprise customers, live sound professionals, and venues globally through direct sales, dealers/integrators, and regional offices.
Product overview
QSC delivers audio, video, and control solutions through two primary brands: Q-SYS (cloud-first AV software platform for integrated, scalable AVC solutions) and QSC Audio (professional loudspeakers, amplifiers, and mixers). The Q-SYS platform serves as the core software foundation, enhanced by modules including VisionSuite (AI-powered presenter tracking), Q-SYS Reflect (cloud monitoring), RoomSuite (collaboration portfolio), and NVM Series (video distribution). QSC Audio products include the CB10 battery-powered loudspeaker, LS218 powered subwoofer, and related portable audio solutions. The company operates as a subsidiary of Acuity Inc. following the $1.2 billion acquisition in 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Q-SYS Platform Cloud-first AV software platform delivering integrated, scalable audio, video, and control solutions for commercial and enterprise applications, including Q-SYS Designer configuration software, Q-SYS UCI, and the Q-SYS NVM Series network video distribution.
- Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager Cloud-based monitoring and management subscription service for Q-SYS deployments, providing system health monitoring, map views, system hierarchies, and reliability reports.
- Q-SYS VisionSuite AI-powered computer vision collaboration feature enabling intelligent presenter tracking and automatic participant switching for hybrid meeting experiences in high-impact spaces.
- Q-SYS RoomSuite Comprehensive collaboration portfolio including collaboration bars, scheduling panels, and integrated workplace solutions for scalable hybrid meeting experiences.
- CB10 Compact Battery-Powered Loudspeaker System Battery-powered portable loudspeaker system combining high performance audio with portability and versatility for mobile applications.
- LS218 Double 18-inch Powered Subwoofer Double 18-inch powered subwoofer for professional live sound and installed audio applications.
- QSC Loudspeaker Control App Mobile application for Bluetooth-equipped QSC powered loudspeakers enabling wireless configuration and control.
- QSC Audio Loudspeakers and Amplifiers Professional audio hardware product line including K.2 Series loudspeakers, WideLine line arrays, AcousticDesign installed loudspeakers, AcousticCoverage ceiling speakers, AcousticPerformance installed loudspeakers, AD-P.HALO pendant speakers, and PowerLight amplifiers — empowering entertainers and sound reinforcement professionals with reliable, high-performance equipment.
- TouchMix Digital Mixers Compact digital mixers for professional audio mixing in live sound and recording applications.
- QSC Professional Services Professional commissioning services, training programs (live and online), and technical support services for Q-SYS and QSC Audio products.
Quantifiable outcome
- Intelligent Spaces Group segment revenue surged 250% following QSC acquisition, reaching $257.4 million in Q1 FY2026
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use QSC
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
QSC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability3 records
Feature8 records
QSC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP)coreQSC joined the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform, enabling tighter integration and greater confidence for organizations deploying Q-SYS solutions at scale within Microsoft-centric environments.
- Rise AVminorQSC is a sponsor of Rise AV, a not-for-profit supporting women in the audiovisual industry. QSC supports the organization's expansion into Asia Pacific with its first overseas council and mentoring program starting in Singapore and Hong Kong.
- ROE VisualminorROE Visual is a co-sponsor with QSC of the Rise AV Asia Pacific Council and mentoring program.
- Acuity Inc. (formerly Acuity Brands)flagshipQSC was acquired by Acuity Brands in January 2025 for $1.215 billion. Acuity rebranded as Acuity Inc. in March 2025. QSC drives the company's Intelligent Spaces Group segment, providing audio, video, and control capabilities for building automation.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
QSC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Crestron Electronics: Crestron is a direct competitor in enterprise AV control and integrated room systems, with NVX networked AV, DM NVX, and room control platforms targeting the same corporate, education, and government accounts as Q-SYS. Both compete heavily on integrated control + AV + video distribution.
- Bose Professional: Bose Professional is a direct competitor in installed sound reinforcement, portable PA, and conferencing audio. Both companies target live sound, houses of worship, hospitality, and corporate AV with branded loudspeakers, amplifiers, and signal processing — closely overlapping with QSC Audio and Q-SYS product lines.
- Biamp Systems: Biamp is a direct competitor to Q-SYS in enterprise AV integration, offering Tesira and Devio conferencing platforms with networked audio/video/control processing for conference rooms, classrooms, and large venues. Both compete on IT-friendly, software-configurable AV platforms sold through integrators.
- HARMAN Professional Solutions: HARMAN's pro audio brands (JBL Professional, Crown, Soundcraft, Martin) compete directly with QSC across professional loudspeakers, amplifiers, and mixers for live sound, touring, and installed AV. Both serve large venues, rental companies, and enterprise integrators globally.
- Shure Incorporated: Shure competes with QSC Audio in professional microphones, wireless systems, and increasingly networked audio (Shure Microflex Ecosystem). Both target conference rooms, live sound, and integrated AV with software-managed audio solutions.
- Extron Electronics: Extron is a direct competitor in AV signal processing, switching, distribution, and control — overlapping significantly with Q-SYS in enterprise and education installations. Both sell through AV integrators and emphasize IT-convergent AV infrastructure.
Broad incumbents
- Sennheiser: Sennheiser's Business Communication division (TeamConnect, SpeechLine) competes with QSC Audio and Q-SYS in pro audio and conferencing. The Sennheiser Group's broader portfolio (microphones, headphones, Neumann studio gear) gives it incumbent scale in adjacent pro audio categories.
- Poly (HP): Poly, now part of HP, sells video conferencing hardware and software (Poly Studio, Poly Lens) that competes with Q-SYS RoomSuite and VisionSuite in hybrid meeting rooms. As an incumbent owned by a major enterprise PC vendor, Poly competes aggressively in the same Microsoft Teams Rooms ecosystem QSC just joined.
- Yamaha Unified Communications: Yamaha UC (part of Yamaha Corporation) competes with Q-SYS in enterprise conferencing and installed sound, leveraging Yamaha's broader pro audio and music instrument business. Both target conference rooms with networked audio processing and pro mixer offerings.
- Logitech: Logitech's video collaboration business (Rally Bar, Room Solutions) competes with Q-SYS in mid-market and enterprise meeting rooms, particularly with Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms. As a broader incumbent in conferencing peripherals, Logitech bundles software (Sync, CollabOS) that competes with Q-SYS Reflect and VisionSuite.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
QSC social profiles
Digital presenceQSC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
QSC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
QSC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
QSC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
QSC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
QSC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about QSC
What does QSC do?
QSC designs and manufactures professional audio hardware (loudspeakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, digital mixers) under the QSC Audio brand and delivers the Q-SYS cloud-first AV software platform integrating audio, video, and control for enterprise/commercial installations. The company sells to AV integrators, enterprise customers, live sound professionals, and venues globally through direct sales, dealers/integrators, and regional offices.
Is QSC a public or private company?
QSC is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was QSC founded?
QSC was founded in 1968. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is QSC based?
QSC is headquartered in Costa Mesa, United States, in the North America region.
How does QSC make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are Q-SYS Platform Solutions, professional Services and software Subscriptions.
Who are QSC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Crestron Electronics, Bose Professional, Biamp Systems, HARMAN Professional Solutions, Shure Incorporated and Extron Electronics. Broad incumbents are Sennheiser, Poly (HP), Yamaha Unified Communications and Logitech.
Does QSC have an API?
No public API is recorded for QSC.
What industry is QSC in?
QSC's product category is Professional Audio and AV Control Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAEAK, Home Theater Installation, Calibration & Custom AV Services Retail, with a secondary code of CRACAEAE, AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail. Its NAICS code is 33431 and its SIC code is 3651.