CSD

What CSD does

CSD Group, LLC is a privately-held U.S. audio, video, lighting, and acoustic (AVLA) systems integrator headquartered in New Haven, Indiana, with additional offices in Fort Worth, Texas and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 1993, the company designs, engineers, and installs custom AVLA systems for houses of worship, businesses (offices and multi-room conferencing facilities), entertainment and performance venues, and educational institutions. Notable deployments include the first U.S. church installation of a full 360-degree d&b Soundscape immersive audio rig at Summit Church in Durham, NC, and a Meyer Constellation acoustic system at Ravenscroft in Scottsdale, AZ.

The company's underlying technology stack spans premier audio, video, lighting, and acoustic OEM platforms: Meyer Sound (Constellation electroacoustic shaping, LYON line arrays with cardioid subwoofer configurations, CAL 96 beam-steering column arrays, RMS remote monitoring), d&b audiotechnik (Soundscape object-based immersive audio, KSL subwoofers), Q-SYS networked AV control, Dante audio-over-IP networking, and Panasonic PTZ cameras. CSD's stated differentiator is the integration of physics, psychology, acoustics, engineering, and live production expertise into space-specific design rather than generic equipment installation. Technical capabilities highlighted in client deployments include phase-linear loudspeaker design to eliminate comb filtering, real-time room-acoustic re-shaping, and remote monitoring across entire loudspeaker fleets.

CSD operates a direct enterprise field-sales model with no reseller or distribution intermediaries, supported by Client Relationship Managers and a structured listen-design-install engagement process. Revenue is generated primarily through project-based professional services (custom design, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, on-site training) ranging from multi-million dollar flagship builds down to smaller upgrades, augmented by three monetization paths: Immediate Ownership Plan, Financing Plus Plan, and a recurring Subscription Plan that bundles 3-to-5-year equipment refreshes with CSD-managed maintenance. The firm is backed by Goldman Sachs and acquired the autism services firm Behavior Change Institute in February 2026, signaling a platform-expansion move beyond the core AVL integration business.

Name

CSD

Legal name

CSD Group, LLC

Website

https://csdus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CSD Group is a U.S.-based AVLA (audio, video, lighting, acoustic) systems integrator that designs, engineers, and installs custom immersive systems for houses of worship, entertainment venues, corporate offices, and educational institutions from offices in Indiana, Texas, and Colorado.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audio Visual Systems Integration

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Backline & Musical Instrument Rentals (Concert/Performance Support) (THAHAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classroom AV Systems Integration (Projectors, Displays, Sound, Control) (EDAEAHAC), Staging, Scenic & Set Fabrication (Stages, Backdrops, Scenic Builds) (THAHAEAC)

Keywords

• Audio visual integration
• Lighting system design
• Acoustic design services
• Immersive audio solutions
• AV system installation

Headquarters

HQ city

New Haven

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. AVLA System Design and Installation: CSD designs, engineers, and installs custom audio, video, lighting, and acoustic systems for churches, businesses, entertainment venues, and schools. Revenue is generated through project-based professional services including custom design, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and on-site training. Projects range from multi-million dollar building projects to medium and smaller-sized upgrades.
2. Payment Plan Options (Financing): CSD offers three financing structures to clients: (1) Immediate Ownership Plan—straightforward purchase for outright ownership; (2) Financing Plus Plan—spreading costs over time; (3) Subscription Plan—monthly payments that include equipment refreshes every 3 to 5 years, CSD-handled maintenance and replacements. These options are targeted at houses of worship, performing arts centers, corporate offices, and college campuses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CSD designs, engineers, and installs custom audio, video, lighting, and acoustic (AVLA) systems for churches, businesses, entertainment venues, and educational institutions. Services span the full project lifecycle: consultative needs discovery, custom AVLA system design, equipment procurement, on-site installation, commissioning, post-installation training, and ongoing support including remote monitoring and equipment refresh plans. The firm integrates leading third-party platforms such as Meyer Sound loudspeakers, d&b Soundscape immersive audio, Q-SYS networked control, and Dante audio networking into purpose-fit systems across worship, corporate, education, and entertainment verticals.

Product overview

CSD (Custom Sound Designs) is an immersive audio-visual, lighting, and acoustics (AVLA) systems integrator offering design, installation, and integration services. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of AVLA solutions comprising audio systems design and integration, video systems and production, theatrical lighting design, and acoustic solutions. These core offerings are supported by financing options (Immediate Ownership Plan, Financing Plus Plan, and Subscription Plan) and educational resources (AVLA Planning Guide, AV Budget Guide). CSD also provides on-site training services to ensure client teams can effectively operate installed systems. The company serves worship venues, entertainment spaces, businesses, and educational institutions across multiple U.S. locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Audio Systems Design and Integration Custom audio system design, engineering, and installation for venues including loudspeaker systems, line arrays, subwoofers, distributed audio, and networked audio platforms (Q-SYS, Dante). Includes equipment procurement, system commissioning, and post-installation training. Designed for churches, entertainment venues, businesses, and educational institutions requiring even coverage, intelligibility, and aesthetic integration.
• Video Systems and Production Visual communication technology design and integration covering live streaming, multi-camera production, LED walls, PTZ cameras (e.g., Panasonic), broadcast systems, and video production suites. Built for environments where in-person and broadcast experiences must be delivered simultaneously, including houses of worship, corporate, education, and entertainment venues.
• Lighting Design and Integration Theatrical and architectural lighting design and installation for expressive, immersive environments. Includes stage lighting, house lighting, broadcast-ready lighting, and programmable controls configured for volunteer operation (e.g., Elation, Chroma-Q fixtures with pre-programmed presets). Deployed in worship, entertainment, and corporate venues.
• Acoustic Solutions Science-driven acoustic solutions including acoustic treatment, sound masking, reverb control, and electroacoustic systems such as Meyer Constellation for real-time room acoustic shaping. Custom acoustic paneling conceals bass traps and audio diffusers behind stretch fabric, combining acoustic performance with visual aesthetics. Designed to balance environments for speech intelligibility and music reproduction across houses of worship, corporate offices, performance venues, and educational institutions.
• On-Site Training Services Hands-on training for client volunteer teams and staff on operating installed AV systems, including system walkthroughs, preset programming, and ongoing support. Targeted at houses of worship, performance venues, corporate offices, and educational institutions that lack in-house AV/IT expertise.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of survey respondents expressed that clear and impactful audio significantly enhanced their church event experience (National Institutes of Health research cited by CSD)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature8 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Encore (formerly PSAV): Global event-technology and venue-services provider delivering AV production, staging, and technology services to hotels, convention centers, and corporate events. Adjacent to CSD through shared AVL capabilities in event and venue settings, though Encore's focus is rental/event services rather than permanent integration.
• Solotech: Major North American provider of pro audio, video, lighting, and rigging solutions for live events, entertainment venues, and corporate installations. Comparable to CSD's premium immersive-audio and venue-AVL integration work, but with a much larger event-production and rental business alongside integration.
• AVI Systems: One of the largest U.S. commercial AV integrators, providing audiovisual, broadcast, and collaboration solutions to corporate, education, healthcare, and government customers. Comparable to CSD as a full-service AV systems integrator, though substantially larger and broader in vertical reach.

Direct peers

• Whitlock: U.S. audiovisual technology integrator delivering collaboration, AV, and broadcast solutions to corporate, education, and government customers. Comparable to CSD in designing and installing integrated AV systems for institutional customers.
• Conference Technologies Inc: Mid-sized U.S. audiovisual integrator serving corporate, education, government, and house-of-worship clients with design, installation, and managed services. Highly comparable to CSD across business model, customer verticals (including worship), and project-based integration services.
• HB Communications: Northeast U.S. audiovisual integrator specializing in higher education, corporate, and government markets with design-build and managed services offerings. Comparable to CSD in providing custom AVL system design and integration to institutional customers.
• Ford Audio-Video: U.S. commercial audiovisual integrator providing design, installation, and service for corporate, education, healthcare, and government customers. Comparable to CSD in offering integrated AV solutions across multiple verticals.
• Summit Integrated Systems: U.S. audiovisual integrator focused on corporate, hospitality, and education environments with design, engineering, and installation services. Comparable to CSD as a custom AV systems integrator serving multiple verticals on a national basis.
• National Audio Systems: U.S. audio, video, and lighting integrator serving churches, schools, and live-event clients with design, installation, and acoustic-treatment services. Directly comparable to CSD's house-of-worship and acoustic-design focus.
• Clair Solutions: U.S. audiovisual integration and live-event production company serving houses of worship, performing arts, sports venues, and corporate clients. Comparable to CSD in offering custom AVL system design and integration for worship and performance venues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSDGroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzmfMfsQP0nsHoB7xdjxitw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSDGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csdgroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/csdus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 CSD