McKay Conant Hoover

What McKay Conant Hoover does

McKay Conant Hoover Inc. (MCH) is a privately held, California-based architectural acoustics and audiovisual/IT consulting firm founded in 1987 by Ronald L. McKay and David A. Conant. Operating from its Westlake Village, California headquarters and a Tempe, Arizona office, the firm serves architects, building owners, general contractors, universities, civic entities, performing arts venues, and worship communities across the U.S. and select international markets including India, France, Spain, Peru, Brazil, and Uruguay. Its 11–50 person practice delivers two integrated service lines: acoustical consulting (sound isolation, noise and vibration control, HVAC noise mitigation, room acoustics and shaping, environmental noise studies) and media systems design (sound, video, recording and broadcast, surveillance and access control, structured cabling, and ancillary "systems behind the systems"). Customer logos include the Guggenheim Bilbao, Disneyland Paris, Caltech, USC, SDSU, CSUSB, Idaho State University, Clackamas County, SMF Sacramento International Airport, and Bollywood Film City.

Technically, MCH's capabilities rest on senior consultant expertise rather than a scalable software platform. Its consultants use two self-developed analytical tools — Noise Prediction Scenarios (NPS) and ROOMODES — for acoustical modeling and noise prediction. The senior bench carries elite industry designations (ASA Fellows, INCE Board Certified, NCAC Past President) and has contributed to textbooks, ASA/InterNoise/UNESCO conference papers, and architectural acoustics education. The Media Systems Group has developed AV/IT solutions for more than 35 years, with the broader team holding close to a century of combined experience.

Commercially, MCH is a project-based professional services firm, with multi-year engagements tied to building design and construction. New work is won through direct sales, architect and contractor relationships, industry reputation, professional society involvement (NCAC, ASA, INCE), and ongoing thought leadership (CEU webinars through HalfMoon Education, technical blog, conference presentations). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by scope and complexity. The firm has no external institutional investors, no disclosed funding rounds, and no M&A activity; ownership is management-owned. The firm is currently navigating the February 2026 retirement of founding principal Dave Conant, while continuing active project delivery across higher education, civic, performing arts, and infrastructure segments.

Name

McKay Conant Hoover

Legal name

McKay Conant Hoover Inc.

Website

https://mchinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

McKay Conant Hoover is a privately held architectural acoustics and audiovisual/IT consulting firm serving architects, institutions, and government clients across the U.S. and internationally with project-based professional services since 1987.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Acoustical Engineering Consulting

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

akta.pro primary industry

Acoustic & Soundproofing Works (IMAFANAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG)

Keywords

• Architectural acoustics consulting
• Noise control engineering
• Media systems design
• AV/IT infrastructure consulting
• Building acoustics services

Headquarters

HQ city

Westlake Village

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Acoustical Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for architectural acoustics, noise control, and vibration isolation across all building types. Revenue is generated through consulting engagements on building design and construction projects, billed on a professional services basis.
2. Media Systems Design Services: Design services for audiovisual systems, IT infrastructure, surveillance, access control, and structured cabling for buildings. Revenue is generated through consulting engagements on new construction and renovation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

McKay Conant Hoover is a professional consulting firm that provides architectural acoustics and audiovisual/IT media systems design services for building projects. The Acoustical Services group covers sound isolation, noise and vibration control, room finishes and shaping, environmental noise studies, and teaching/expert witness work. The Media Systems Design group delivers engineered designs for sound, video, recording and broadcast, surveillance and access control, structured cabling, and supporting building systems. Engagements span new construction and renovation projects across the USA and internationally.

Product overview

McKay Conant Hoover is an acoustical and audiovisual/IT consulting firm offering two primary service categories: Acoustical Services and Media Systems & Infrastructure Design Services. The Acoustical Services portfolio includes Sound Isolation, Noise Control, Room Finishes and Shaping, Teaching & Expert-Witnessing, and Environmental Noise services. The Media Systems group provides Sound Systems, Video Systems, Recording & Broadcast, Surveillance & Access Control, Structured Cabling Systems, and Systems Behind the Systems design services. The firm serves clients across performing arts, education, studio, civic/government, and other building sectors throughout the USA and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Acoustical Services Professional acoustical consulting covering sound isolation, noise and vibration control from HVAC/electrical/plumbing systems, room finishes and shaping, environmental noise studies, and teaching and expert witnessing. Services are delivered to architects, owners, and contractors on building design and construction projects.
• Media System Design Services Design services for sound systems, video systems, recording and broadcast facilities, surveillance and access control, structured cabling systems, and supporting building systems including performance monitoring, scheduling, wayfinding, and control and asset management. Delivered to owners and design teams on new construction and renovation projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000+ projects delivered across all building types
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HalfMoon Education IncminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Tony Hoover presents Architectural Acoustics - Design and Construction through HalfMoon Education Inc over two half-days, with Tony accompanied by Zak L'Italien and Henry Ashburn. HalfMoon Education is a continuing education provider offering AIA-accredited courses.
• DLR GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025DLR Group served as architect for the Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse, a landmark civic project completed in 2025 that achieved LEED Gold certification.
• PCL ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025PCL Construction served as contractor for the Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse, completing the landmark civic project in 2025.
• HGA Architects and R&S ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023SDSU Main Stage Renovation and Prebys Stage project was delivered as design-build with HGA Architects and R&S Construction.
• HGA ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHGA Architects served as the architect for the CSUSB Performing Arts Center, working collaboratively with MCH on acoustical and media systems design for the 73,337 sq ft, $127M facility.
• Apeiro Design Theatre ConsultantscoreTechnology or IntegrationApeiro Design Theatre Consultants collaborated with MCH on the CSUSB Performing Arts Center project, delivering a state-of-the-art facility for arts education, performance, and community engagement.
• Perkins EastmancoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPerkins Eastman served as architect for Estancia High School Theater, a new performance venue supporting arts education.
• ArchitektoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitekton is the architect for Central Arizona College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, an in-progress project.
• DWL ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDWL Architects is the architect for SMF Concourse B Expansion, an in-progress airport project.
• PBKcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPBK is the architect for Victor Valley High School CTE and Gymnasium, an in-progress project.
• HGAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHGA Architects is the architect for Mesa Campus Performing Arts Center (SDCCD), an in-progress project.
• ARGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerARG is the architect for Plaza Theatre renovation, breathing life into a historic Palm Springs atmospheric theatre.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cavanaugh Tocci Associates: Cavanaugh Tocci Associates is a Massachusetts-based acoustical consulting firm and was Tony Hoover's employer for 25 years before he joined MCH. Closest direct peer given shared leadership lineage and similar project portfolio across performing arts, education, and civic markets.
• Threshold Acoustics: Threshold Acoustics is a Chicago-based firm providing acoustical consulting and audio/video system design for performing arts centers, worship spaces, and educational facilities. Directly competes with MCH on the same project types and client base nationally.
• Kirkegaard Associates: Kirkegaard Associates is a Chicago-based acoustical consulting firm founded in 1976 with comparable services spanning architectural acoustics, mechanical noise, and AV systems design. Competes with MCH on university, civic, and performing arts projects nationwide.
• Jaffe Holden: Jaffe Holden is a New York-based acoustics and AV consulting firm serving performing arts, education, government, and healthcare markets. Direct peer with overlapping service portfolio and similar boutique professional services model.
• Acentech: Acentech is a Cambridge, MA-based consulting firm offering acoustics, AV/IT, and vibration consulting services. Direct peer with comparable combined-discipline approach and similar academic/institutional client roster.
• Veneklasen Associates: Veneklasen Associates is a Los Angeles-based acoustical consulting firm serving the same California and Western US markets as MCH. Direct regional competitor on performing arts, worship, education, and civic projects.
• Shen Milsom Wilke: Shen Milsom Wilke is a Chicago-based firm providing acoustics, AV, IT, and security system consulting with international reach. Closely comparable given integrated AV + acoustics offering and similar client segments including universities and corporate.
• Longman Lindsay: Longman Lindsay is an acoustics and AV consulting firm serving performing arts, education, and worship markets. Direct peer in the niche acoustics consulting space with comparable boutique service model.
• Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG): WSDG is an internationally recognized acoustics and AV design firm with strong focus on recording studios, broadcast facilities, and media production spaces. Overlaps with MCH's recording/broadcast design work including Bollywood sound stages.

Broad incumbents

• Arup: Arup is a global engineering and design consultancy with a substantial acoustics practice serving performing arts, transportation, and building projects worldwide. Larger incumbent offering acoustics as part of a broader multidisciplinary portfolio that competes with MCH on marquee projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/McKayConantHoover/?ref=bookmarks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mckay-conant-hoover-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 McKay Conant Hoover