Listen Inc
Listen, Inc. is a privately-held, founder-owned software and hardware company founded in 1995 that makes SoundCheck, an audio and electroacoustic test and measurement system, serving consumer electronics manufacturers, automotive OEMs, hearing aid makers, and communications equipment producers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Listen Inc does
Listen, Inc. is a privately-held, founder-owned company founded in 1995 by Steve Temme in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in audio and electroacoustic test and measurement. The company's flagship product is SoundCheck, a software-based audio test and measurement system that performs both analog and digital measurements on devices ranging from simple electroacoustic transducers to complex wireless and voice-activated devices. SoundCheck incorporates proprietary algorithms developed over three decades, including HarmonicTrak, Normalized THD, Enhanced Loose Particles detection, CLEAR perceptual Rub & Buzz, and Real-Time Masking Curves, many of which were first proposed in peer-reviewed AES conference papers. The company also sells dedicated measurement hardware (AudioConnect 2, AudioConnect 6x2, AudioConnect 8x8, AmpConnect 621, AmpConnect ISC, SCM measurement microphones, SCAmp audio test amplifier, BTC-4148 and BQC-4148 Bluetooth interfaces), a NoiseCheck software module for noise and vibration measurement, and accessories (Halo Automotive 6-Mic Array, automotive audio test kit, impedance box, calibrators, turntables).
Listen serves a horizontal customer base across consumer electronics manufacturers (loudspeakers, headphones, microphones, smartphones, smart devices), automotive OEMs and suppliers (infotainment, in-vehicle audio, BSR testing), hearing aid manufacturers (IEC 60118, ANSI S3.22), and communications equipment makers (TIA, IEEE telephone testing). The company generates revenue through multi-tiered software licenses (SoundCheck Basic, Plus, Advanced, SoundCheck ONE perpetual entry-level), hardware sales, and annual support contracts, sold via a global distributor network and direct sales engineers. The product supports up to 64 channels and integrates with third-party ecosystems from GRAS, Brüel & Kjær, and Portland Tool & Die. Two patent-pending inventions (single-channel impedance measurement and SCAmp measurement circuit) and nearly 30 published research papers underpin the technical moat. In 2025, Listen celebrated its 30th anniversary under continuing founder leadership.
Listen Inc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Listen Inc
- Legal name
- Listen, Inc.
- Website
- https://listeninc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Listen, Inc. is a privately-held, founder-owned software and hardware company founded in 1995 that makes SoundCheck, an audio and electroacoustic test and measurement system, serving consumer electronics manufacturers, automotive OEMs, hearing aid makers, and communications equipment producers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Listen Inc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio and Electroacoustic Test and Measurement Software
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB)
Keywords
Where Listen Inc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Listen Inc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- SoundCheck Software Licenses: SoundCheck software is sold in multiple tiers: SoundCheck Basic/Plus/Advanced, with different packages and modules available. The modular design allows customers to purchase base software with optional add-on modules.
- Audio Measurement Hardware: Sale of audio measurement hardware including AudioConnect interfaces (2-8 channels), AmpConnect systems, measurement microphones, amplifiers, Bluetooth interfaces, and accessories.
- Support Contracts: Annual support contracts available for SoundCheck software, providing updates, technical support, and maintenance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | SoundCheck software tiers (Plus, Advanced) |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | SoundCheck ONE - Budget entry-level system |
| Subscription | Annual | Software modules and test sequences |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Listen Inc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Listen Inc develops and sells SoundCheck, a software-based audio and electroacoustic test and measurement system used for both R&D and production environments, supporting up to 64 channels. The company also designs and manufactures complementary audio measurement hardware including audio interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, measurement microphones, and amplifiers, and offers NoiseCheck software for noise and vibration analysis.
Product overview
Listen Inc offers a comprehensive audio and electroacoustic test and measurement system centered around SoundCheck software, a powerful software-based audio analyzer. The portfolio includes dedicated audio measurement hardware (AudioConnect 2, AmpConnect 621, AudioConnect 8×8, AudioConnect 6×2, AmpConnect ISC), microphones and amplifiers (SCM Measurement Microphones, SoundConnect 2, SCamp Audio Test Amplifier), specialist interfaces (BTC-4148 and BQC-4148 Bluetooth Interfaces, MEMS Microphone Interfaces, DC Connect), and accessories (Halo Automotive 6-Mic Array, Impedance Box, Calibrators, Turntables, Automotive Audio Test Kit). SoundCheck software pairs with these test interfaces to offer complete solutions for testing loudspeakers, headphones, microphones, smart devices, communication systems, hearing aids, and automotive audio. The modular software and diverse hardware options allow customers to customize solutions based on specific test requirements, suitable for both R&D labs and production environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SoundCheck: Powerful and flexible software-based audio test system for both analog and digital audio measurements. Measures devices ranging from simple electroacoustic transducers to complex wireless and voice activated devices. Modular design suitable for both R&D and production environments, supporting up to 64 channels.
- SoundCheck Plus
- SoundCheck Advanced
- NoiseCheck
- AudioConnect
- AmpConnect
- BTC-4148
- BQC-4148
- SCM Microphones
- SCAmp
Products and services
- SoundCheck Software Software-based audio test system for both analog and digital audio measurements. Measures devices from simple electroacoustic transducers to complex wireless and voice-activated devices. Modular design suitable for both R&D and production environments, supporting up to 64 channels.
- AudioConnect 2 Portable dual-channel audio interface with up to 192 kHz sampling rate. Powered via laptop USB-C port. Designed for measurements from production line to field, particularly suitable for headphone testing.
- AudioConnect 8x8 High-resolution 8-channel audio interface with 8 analog input and output channels plus 2 S/PDIF digital channels. Expandable to 32 synchronized channels when connecting four units. Features auto-ranging for maximum dynamic range measurements.
- AmpConnect 621 Audio interface with 6 input and 2 output channels for higher channel-count applications.
- AudioConnect 6x2 Audio measurement interface with 6 input and 2 output channels.
- AmpConnect ISC All-in-one audio interface with integral soundcard. Designed to simplify audio test setup.
- NoiseCheck Software Software for noise and vibration measurement and analysis.
- BTC-4148 Bluetooth Interface Bluetooth interface offering full control over Bluetooth protocol settings, CODEC, sample rate, and transmitter power for accurate Bluetooth device testing.
- BQC-4148 Bluetooth Interface Production line Bluetooth interface for high volume testing of Bluetooth sink devices such as headsets, speakers, and car kits, with control over CODEC, sample rate, and transmitter power.
- SCamp Audio Test Amplifier Audio test amplifier specifically designed for the audio test market with a unique measurement circuit. Received CE Mark approval enabling sales in the European Union and other countries recognizing this approval.
- SCM Measurement Microphones Precision measurement microphones for audio testing applications.
- Halo Automotive 6-Mic Array Six-microphone array designed for automotive audio testing applications.
- The Automotive Audio Test Kit Complete test kit for automotive audio testing applications.
Companies that use Listen Inc
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Listen Inc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature8 records
Listen Inc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Audio Engineering Society (AES)coreListen, Inc. regularly presents research papers at AES conferences. Steve Temme has published extensively through AES, including papers on distortion measurement, perceptual testing, and automotive audio. The company actively participates in AES Automotive Audio Conferences.
- ISEATcoreListen, Inc. presents at the ISEAT (International Symposium on Electroacoustic Technologies) conference in Shenzhen, China. Steve Temme presented at the 9th ISEAT Conference in November 2024.
- ALMAminorListen, Inc. presents technical papers at ALMA conferences. The SCAmp measurement circuit was presented at ALMA conferences.
- GRAS Sound & VibrationcoreGRAS production line acoustic test chamber integrates seamlessly with SoundCheck for smartphone, tablet, and Bluetooth speaker testing on production lines. GRAS supplies head and torso simulators, ear couplers, and artificial mouths.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights10 records
Listen Inc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Instruments (NI): NI (now part of Emerson) provides general-purpose test and measurement platforms with audio and acoustic measurement capabilities via PXI and LabVIEW. While broader in scope, NI competes for the same audio engineering and production line test budgets and is a comparably scaled incumbent in T&M.
- Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Brüel & Kjær, now part of HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær), is a direct competitor in audio and electroacoustic test and measurement, with a broader portfolio spanning vibration, sound, and automotive NVH. Listen Inc's founder Steve Temme previously worked at Brüel & Kjær, and the company supplies measurement microphones and accessories that are integrated with SoundCheck.
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight is a large-scale electronic test and measurement incumbent with audio and signal analysis offerings. Though Keysight's focus is broader communications and electronics T&M, it competes for the same enterprise audio test budgets at large OEMs and communications equipment makers.
- Rohde & Schwarz: Rohde & Schwarz is a major T&M incumbent with audio, broadcast, and mobile communications test equipment. Listen Inc competes with R&S communications test products in telephone and voice-over-IP testing (TIA/IEEE standard compliance) where SoundCheck has presence.
Direct peers
- Audio Precision: Audio Precision is a direct competitor to Listen Inc, offering audio analyzers and electroacoustic test software (APx analysers) used for R&D and production-line audio testing across consumer electronics, automotive, and hearing-aid manufacturers. Both companies sell modular software plus hardware front-ends to audio engineering customers.
- NTi Audio: NTi Audio is a direct competitor in portable and production-line audio measurement instruments (XL2, FLEXUS series) for sound level, acoustics, and audio quality testing. Both companies serve cinema, live sound, and broadcast audio customers with measurement hardware and software.
- HEAD Acoustics: HEAD Acoustics provides audio and voice quality measurement solutions targeting telecom, automotive, and consumer audio — a closely overlapping customer base with Listen Inc. Their ACQUA software and laboratory hardware compete head-to-head with SoundCheck in telecom and automotive audio testing.
Emerging players
- Prism Sound: Prism Sound provides audio test and measurement interfaces (dScope Series III) historically competing with Listen Inc in audio analyzer hardware. While smaller in production-line test than Listen Inc, Prism Sound is a comparable specialist in pro audio measurement.
Others
- Portland Tool & Die: Portland Tool & Die manufactures the BTC-4148 Bluetooth interface and BQC-4148 production line Bluetooth interface, both of which are directly controlled from within SoundCheck. Close technology integration partner in the audio test ecosystem.
- GRAS Sound & Vibration: GRAS is a measurement microphone and acoustic test accessories supplier that integrates with SoundCheck for smartphone and Bluetooth speaker production line testing. While primarily a hardware supplier rather than competing software vendor, GRAS is a close ecosystem partner and is comparable on the measurement-microphone side of the stack.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Listen Inc social profiles
Digital presenceListen Inc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Listen Inc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Listen Inc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Listen Inc 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 Listen Inc
What does Listen Inc do?
Listen Inc develops and sells SoundCheck, a software-based audio and electroacoustic test and measurement system used for both R&D and production environments, supporting up to 64 channels. The company also designs and manufactures complementary audio measurement hardware including audio interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, measurement microphones, and amplifiers, and offers NoiseCheck software for noise and vibration analysis.
Is Listen Inc a public or private company?
Listen Inc is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Listen Inc founded?
Listen Inc was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Listen Inc based?
Listen Inc is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Listen Inc make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SoundCheck Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are audio Measurement Hardware and support Contracts.
Who are Listen Inc's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Instruments (NI), Brüel & Kjær (HBK), Keysight Technologies and Rohde & Schwarz. Direct peers are Audio Precision, NTi Audio and HEAD Acoustics. Prism Sound is listed as an emerging player. Others are Portland Tool & Die and GRAS Sound & Vibration.
Does Listen Inc have an API?
No public API is recorded for Listen Inc.
What industry is Listen Inc in?
Listen Inc's product category is Audio and Electroacoustic Test and Measurement Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAB, Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors). Its NAICS code is 33431 and its SIC code is 3825.