What Precision Acoustics does

Precision Acoustics Ltd. is a Dorchester, UK-based specialist manufacturer of acoustic measurement products and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coda Octopus Group (NASDAQ: CODA) following its November 2024 acquisition. The company designs and manufactures hydrophones (needle, membrane, differential membrane, and fibre-optic), ultrasound transducers (0.2 MHz to 50 MHz), automated test stations including the UMSR 2 scanning system, and a portfolio of NPL-licensed acoustic absorber materials (Aptflex family, HAM A, Alberich, Apltile) covering the 40 kHz to 50 MHz frequency range. It also operates an in-house AFiDS finite difference acoustic wave simulation capability developed over a decade by Principal Research Physicist Dr Andrew Hurrell.

The business monetises across multiple revenue streams: catalogue hardware sales through its shop.acoustics.co.uk e-commerce platform (£175 to £2,943+ per unit), ISO/IEC 17025:2017 UKAS-accredited hydrophone calibration services traceable to NPL standards, bespoke transducer and custom sensor development (including arrays of up to 16,384 sensors), acoustic performance modelling, materials characterisation, and IPEM-accredited training courses. Pricing is unit-based for catalogue and training, and quote-based for enterprise custom work. Distribution combines direct online sales, enterprise field sales, and a global distributor network.

Its customer base spans medical ultrasound equipment manufacturers, non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment companies, defence and underwater acoustics end-users, and academic and research institutions. Competitive advantage rests on UKAS accreditation (one of only two UK holders alongside NPL), an NPL Technology Applied co-branding partnership, deep domain specialisation in MHz-frequency ultrasound measurement, and multi-decade engineering expertise. Acquired by Coda Octopus Group in November 2024, the company is positioning to extend its acoustic measurement capabilities into military and commercial underwater markets through the parent's sonar and subsea technology portfolio.

Name

Precision Acoustics

Legal name

Precision Acoustics Ltd.

Website

https://acoustics.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Precision Acoustics is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of hydrophones, ultrasound transducers, acoustic test stations, and NPL-licensed absorber materials serving medical device, NDT, defence, and research customers across the 40 kHz to 50 MHz frequency range, now operating as a subsidiary of Coda Octopus Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ultrasonic Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography) (IMAGAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Microphones & Acoustic MEMS (MEMS Mics/Ultrasonic Transducers) (HDAHALAH)

Keywords

• Acoustic measurement instruments
• Ultrasound hydrophones
• Ultrasound transducers
• Acoustic calibration services
• Non-destructive testing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Dorchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Sale of hydrophones, ultrasound transducers, test stations, acoustic materials, piezo-electric materials, and accessories through online shop and direct sales.
2. Calibration Services: ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited hydrophone calibration services in the range 1 MHz to 40 MHz, traceable to National standards.
3. Custom Development Services: Bespoke ultrasound transducer development, custom sensor development, transducer optimisation, and acoustic performance modelling services.
4. Training Services: Hydrophone measurement courses and sonar hydrophone courses for customer education and skill development.
5. Acoustic Output Measurements: Measurement services for medical and non-medical ultrasound transducers including spatial field mapping and whole-field characterisation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Precision Acoustics manufactures and supplies hydrophones, ultrasound transducers, acoustic test stations, and acoustic absorber materials for measuring acoustic pressure and intensity in the frequency range 40 kHz to 50 MHz. The company also offers ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited hydrophone calibration services, custom sensor and transducer development, acoustic performance modelling, and IPEM-accredited training courses. Products and services serve medical ultrasound equipment manufacturers, NDT equipment companies, defence/sonar applications, and academic research institutions.

Product overview

Precision Acoustics is a UK-based manufacturer and Coda Octopus Group subsidiary, established in 1997, offering a broad portfolio of hydrophone, ultrasound transducer, test station, acoustic material, and sensor products alongside professional services and training. The core product lines include: needle hydrophones, membrane hydrophones (UT-series), differential membrane hydrophones, and fibre-optic hydrophone systems (V1 and V2) for measuring acoustic pressure and intensity from 40 kHz to 50 MHz; Short Leadtime Transducers and bespoke ultrasound transducers spanning 0.2 MHz to 50 MHz; acoustic test stations including the UMSR 2 scanning system; and a range of NPL-developed acoustic absorber materials (Aptflex F28, Aptflex F28P, Aptflex F36, Aptflex F48, HAM A, Apltile SF5048, Alberich Tile) and acoustic phantom materials (Ultrasound Soft-tissue Phantom Kit, Thermochromic Tile). The portfolio also includes piezo-electric PVdF film materials, transducer accessories (Multipurpose Transducer Mount, Teardrop Mount, Coupling Cones, Bounded Output Mask), fibre-optic accessories (EasyGet2 Inspector, Neoclean-E), and supporting accessories. Services offered include ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited hydrophone calibration, acoustic output measurements, ultrasound development consultancy, acoustic performance finite difference modelling, custom sensor development, transducer optimisation, and materials characterisation. Training covers hydrophone measurement courses, sonar hydrophone courses, and ultrasonic measurement training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NPL Technology Applied: A co-branding scheme for instrumentation and software technology developed by NPL (National Physical Laboratory) and incorporated into Precision Acoustics' commercial products. Products include Alberich Tile, Apltile SF5048, Aptflex F28, Aptflex F28P, Aptflex F36, Aptflex F48, and HAM A acoustic absorber materials.

Products and services

• Hydrophones (Needle, Membrane, Fibre-optic) Hydrophones for measuring acoustic pressure and intensity in the frequency range 40 kHz to 50 MHz, including needle, membrane (UT-series), differential membrane, and fibre-optic (V1 and V2) variants. Used by medical ultrasound manufacturers, NDT companies, defence/sonar organisations, and research institutions for precision acoustic field measurement.
• Short Leadtime Transducers Range of immersion ultrasound transducers available in active diameters from 6 mm to 44 mm and frequencies from 0.5 MHz to 30 MHz, with PZT piezoceramic (0.5–7 MHz) or PVdF piezopolymer (≥10 MHz) active elements, integral coaxial cable, and BNC connector. Designed for quick delivery and used in laboratory measurement and testing applications.
• UMSR 2 Scanning System Entry-level XY/YZ scanning system for precise acoustic field measurements, combining affordability with a compact desk-friendly design. Features an upgraded Z-axis with Mitutoyo Digimatic scales for visual feedback and a reinforced framework for enhanced accuracy. Designed for laboratories with limited space performing transducer characterisation and acoustic field mapping.
• Ultrasound Test Stations Fully automated test tanks for acoustic field characterisation in the frequency range 50 kHz to 30 MHz, supporting calibrated point measurements, spatial variation mapping, and whole-field characterisation including total acoustic power measurement via Radiation Force Balance. Used by medical device manufacturers and NDT equipment companies for regulatory compliance testing.
• Ultrasound Soft-tissue Phantom Kit User-castable phantom kit for producing soft-tissue mimic material based on IEC60601-2-5:2015 and IEC 60601-2-37:2024 formulations, used for diagnostic ultrasound studies, therapeutic ultrasound studies, R&D, and training. Available in 2.5-litre and 5-litre sizes.
• Thermochromic Tile Two-layer pre-cast polyurethane sheet developed by NPL for rapid visualisation of acoustic field spatial distribution. The heat-sensitive upper layer turns white when exposed to acoustic heat, suitable for frequencies 500 kHz to 10 MHz at intensities of 0.5 W/cm² and above.
• HAM A Acoustic Absorber NPL-developed high-quality absorber material with two-layer polyurethane rubber construction (acoustic impedance matched top layer and partially air-loaded backing layer) for use as radiation force balance targets and anechoic coatings. Covers frequency range 1–15 MHz with >30 dB/cm/MHz transmission loss.
• Aptflex F28P Cost-effective pyramidal-structured acoustic absorber for radiation force balance targets used in acoustic power measurement devices operating in the 2–100 W range. Based on single-ply polyurethane rubber with ~20 dB/cm/MHz transmission loss.
• Aptflex F28 High-frequency acoustic absorber tile providing effective absorption of unwanted ultrasonic reflections for acoustic isolation in test tanks. Blue polyurethane rubber single-ply homogeneous layer with dimensions 300×300×10 mm or 1200×600×10 mm, covering 1–10 MHz range.
• Aptflex F48 Low-frequency acoustic absorbing tile optimised for the 50 kHz to 1.5 MHz range, using microbubble-filled pre-cast polyurethane for echo reduction and insertion loss in sub-MHz test tanks. Available in 10 mm and 26.5 mm thickness, dimensions 1200×600 mm.
• Aptflex F36 Two-part mix kit version of Aptflex F28 acoustic tile, suitable for casting into specific shapes or moulding around awkward surfaces. Supplied in divided sachets with 12-month shelf life.
• Apltile SF5048 Structured absorbing lining for low-frequency ultrasonic test tanks, optimised for the 20 kHz to 200 kHz range. Single-ply 50 mm thick tile, dimensions 600×600 mm, density 2.1 g/ml, weight 35 kg per tile.
• Alberich Tile Underwater acoustic absorber optimised for 5 kHz to 20 kHz frequency range with 25 dB insertion loss at 10 kHz and 15 dB echo reduction. Tile dimensions 600×300×85 mm, weight 31 kg.
• PVdF Piezo-electric Film Poled piezo-electric PVdF film available in thicknesses of 28 µm, 40 µm, 80 µm, and 200 µm, supplied with or without Cr-Au metallisation on 170 mm × 180 mm sheets. Exhibits strong piezo- and pyro-electric response with acoustic impedance close to water, suitable for ultrasonic sensors.
• PVdF Research Kit Research kit containing poled PVdF film samples (2×40 µm golded and 2×80 µm golded, 5 cm × 5 cm each) for pressure sensors, impact sensors, strain gauges, microphones, and acoustic pickups.
• Hydrophone Calibration Service ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited calibration service for hydrophones in the range 1 MHz to 40 MHz, traceable to National Physical Laboratory (NPL) standards. Positions Precision Acoustics as one of only two UK organisations with this accreditation alongside NPL.
• Ultrasound Development Services Engineering and scientific consultancy for ultrasound transducer development, problem-solving, and design refinement across the frequency range 0.2 MHz to 50 MHz, serving medical and NDT applications.
• Acoustic Performance Modelling Service Finite difference acoustic wave simulation service capable of modelling propagation through solid and fluid media, including longitudinal, shear, Love, Lamb, Rayleigh, and Stoneley waves in 2D Cartesian or 3D axi-symmetric cylindrical coordinates. Uses the proprietary AFiDS simulation software.
• Custom Sensor Development Bespoke ultrasonic sensor development service from concept through pre-production, including high-density sensor arrays, backing material optimisation, and pulse generation, with demonstrated capability of producing arrays with up to 16,384 sensors.
• Materials Characterisation Service Characterisation service for determining acoustic properties of materials (wavespeed, attenuation, acoustic impedance, insertion loss, echo reduction) across 200 kHz to 13 MHz per IEC specification 63081.
• Hydrophone Measurement Course One-day hands-on training course providing basic competence in selecting and using hydrophones for pressure measurements in the MHz frequency range. IPEM-approved CPD course with approximately 50% laboratory practical work, maximum 4 delegates.
• Sonar Hydrophone Course One-day practical course on selecting and using hydrophones for underwater acoustic measurements in the sub-MHz frequency range, focusing on planar, cylindrical, and spherical hydrophones for sonar applications. Maximum 6 delegates.
• Acoustic Output Measurements Measurement services for medical and non-medical ultrasound transducers including spatial field mapping, whole-field characterisation, and total acoustic power determination using Radiation Force Balance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved transducer performance through impedance matching
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Physical Laboratory (NPL), LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose working relationship with NPL acoustics group and academic establishments for ultrasound research. NPL Technology Applied licensing programme for acoustic absorber materials including Aptflex family, HAM A, Alberich tiles. Company uses NPL-calibrated reference hydrophones for calibration services.
• Electronics & Innovations Ltd.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration with US-based Electronics & Innovations (RF power amplifier manufacturer) to establish European service centre at Precision Acoustics' Dorset facility for repair and servicing of E&I equipment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Onda Corporation: Onda Corporation is the closest US-based direct peer, manufacturing needle, membrane, and fibre-optic hydrophones and providing hydrophone calibration services for medical and NDT ultrasound applications. Operates in the same MHz-frequency measurement niche with similar IEC standards orientation.
• Acertara Acoustic & Ultrasound Laboratories: Acertara is an independent acoustic and ultrasound test laboratory offering acoustic output measurements, hydrophone calibration, and IEC-standards testing services to medical ultrasound OEMs. Closely comparable service-based business serving the same medical device regulatory customer base.
• Sonatest: Sonatest designs and manufactures ultrasonic NDT flaw detectors, transducers, and phased array probes, and is a typical NDT customer of Precision Acoustics' beam characterisation and acoustic absorber products. Direct comparable in the ultrasonic NDT transducer and test equipment category.

Broad incumbents

• Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK): HBK is the global incumbent in acoustic and vibration measurement, offering hydrophones, acoustic calibrators, and full test-and-measurement platforms. Overlaps heavily with Precision Acoustics' hydrophone and transducer calibration services but as part of a much broader sensor and instrumentation portfolio.
• Olympus / Evident Scientific: Evident (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions) manufactures ultrasonic NDT transducers, phased array equipment, and flaw detectors, and is a key end-customer segment for Precision Acoustics' hydrophones and acoustic materials. Comparable through transducer manufacturing and ultrasonic beam characterisation.
• Teledyne Marine / RESON: Teledyne Marine (including RESON) supplies underwater acoustic transducers, hydrophones, and sonar systems for defence and oceanographic applications. Comparable to Precision Acoustics' sonar hydrophone and underwater acoustic absorber (Alberich tile) product lines, particularly following the Coda Octopus acquisition.
• Keysight Technologies: Keysight is a dominant electronic test and measurement incumbent offering oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, and acoustic/ultrasonic measurement solutions. Reaches Precision Acoustics' market through broader electronic test platforms but lacks the specialised hydrophone and NDT acoustic absorber focus.

Regional players

• Sonardyne International: Sonardyne is a UK-based underwater acoustics and sonar technology company serving defence, oil & gas, and marine science markets. Adjacent comparable in underwater hydrophones and sonar calibration, with similar geographic and customer overlap to Precision Acoustics' defence/sonar segment.

Emerging players

• Parker Hannifin (Chelsea Technologies) / Chelsea Tech: Chelsea Technologies (now Parker Hannifin) designs underwater acoustic measurement sensors and fluorometers for environmental and ocean science. Overlaps with Precision Acoustics' underwater hydrophone calibration expertise in adjacent oceanographic and sub-MHz measurement applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Hydrophones
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PrecisionAcoustics/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/precision-acoustics-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Precision Acoustics