4DSOUND
4DSOUND Technologies B.V. is an Amsterdam-based spatial sound technology studio that develops proprietary software (4DSOUND Suite) and custom omnidirectional speaker hardware, serving artists, museums, universities, and research institutions across eight cities globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What 4DSOUND does
4DSOUND Technologies B.V. is an Amsterdam-based spatial sound technology studio that develops proprietary hardware-software systems for rendering omnidirectional sound environments. Its core technology stack comprises the 4DSOUND Suite—a real-time spatial audio composition and performance software built on the NAP framework with more than 20 predefined particle shapes and Python scripting extensibility—paired with custom hardware featuring omnidirectional loudspeakers (integrated with Bloomline Acoustics' OmniDrive drivers) and vibroacoustic floor panels. The system projects what the company terms "Sound Holograms": audible entities with dimensional spatial presence rather than conventional speaker-localized sound. Founded in 2007 with the first commercial system built in 2012, the company operates a 16-speaker studio at its Amsterdam headquarters and has installed similar configurations at partner venues globally.
The company serves four distinct customer segments: artists and musicians (primary), educational institutions, research institutes, and museums and cultural venues. Its go-to-market combines three motions: a residency and studio-rental business at the Amsterdam HQ offering three-month R&D licenses; educational workshops and masterclasses delivered at partner studios and universities; and bespoke hardware-software installations at partner studios, museums, and performance venues worldwide. Revenue streams include studio rental and residency fees, workshop fees, hardware sales and installations, and—announced but not yet commercially available—subscription licensing of the 4DSOUND Suite. Major installation partners include MONOM Studios (Berlin, 2012), Lobe Studio (Vancouver, 2020), the Spatial Sound Institute (Budapest, wholly-owned), Mercer Labs (NYC), CODE Museum (Veszprém), IT University of Copenhagen (as part of the EU-funded XTREME project), and HKU University of the Arts Utrecht.
4DSOUND firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 4DSOUND
- Legal name
- 4DSOUND Technologies B.V.
- Website
- https://4dsound.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 4DSOUND Technologies B.V. is an Amsterdam-based spatial sound technology studio that develops proprietary software (4DSOUND Suite) and custom omnidirectional speaker hardware, serving artists, museums, universities, and research institutions across eight cities globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
4DSOUND industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Spatial Audio Technology
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Industries (5122), Sound Recording Studios (51224), Sound Recording Studios (512240), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Immersive/Spatial Audio Production (Dolby Atmos, 5.1/7.1, Binaural) (MPAHAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB), Sound Design (Creative/Design-Heavy FX, World-Building) (MPAHAEAE), Audio Post Facilities & Stage Operations (Mix Stages, Studio Management, Booking) (MPAHAEAO)
Keywords
Where 4DSOUND is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
4DSOUND business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Studio Rental and Artist Residencies: Artists book 4DSOUND studio space for creation, recording, and research purposes. The studio offers a three-month R&D license as part of the residency experience. Artists are connected to a global spatial sound community and may perform at future events.
- Educational Workshops and Masterclasses: 4DSOUND delivers workshops and courses on practical application of the 4DSOUND Suite and fundamentals of spatial audio theory and design. Courses can be shaped for specific backgrounds, projects and scopes.
- Spatial Sound System Sales and Installation: Sale and installation of 4DSOUND systems to partner studios, institutions, and venues. Each location is carefully designed for specific acoustic characteristics and purpose.
- Software Licensing (In Development): 4DSOUND Suite is being prepared for commercial availability. Currently not issuing R&D Licences while working on making the software commercially available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 4DSOUND Suite - Commercial licensing (coming soon) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
4DSOUND product offering
Product offeringCore offering
4DSOUND develops proprietary hardware and software systems that create fully omnidirectional spatial sound environments. The integrated 4DSOUND Suite software controls custom speaker arrays (ceiling, floor, and vibroacoustic panels) to render Sound Holograms—sonic entities with spatial depth and dimensionality that appear in space without a traditional sweetspot. The company designs, installs, and operates these systems at partner studios, museums, universities, and cultural venues worldwide, and delivers studio residencies and educational workshops.
Product overview
4DSOUND is a spatial sound technology studio offering a unified platform comprising the 4DSOUND Suite (software for spatial composition, performance, and sound design) and 4DSOUND Systems (modular hardware with omnidirectional speakers). The product ecosystem includes a network of partner studios (MONOM Berlin, Lobe Vancouver, Mercer Labs New York, CODE Museum Veszprém, IT University Copenhagen, HKU Utrecht) where the technology is permanently installed, plus a residency program at the Amsterdam headquarters. The company also operates the Spatial Sound Institute in Budapest for R&D and offers educational workshops. Together, these products enable artists to create Sound Holograms and immersive spatial sound experiences across performances, installations, recordings, and research applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Spatial Sound Institute: Research and development centre for spatial sound technologies and practices, founded by 4DSOUND, based in Budapest, Hungary.
- Lobe Studio
- MONOM Studios
- Mercer Labs
- CODE Museum
Products and services
- 4DSOUND Suite
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 creative productions completed with 4DSOUND technology
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use 4DSOUND
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
4DSOUND technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
4DSOUND partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.
- Bloomline AcousticscoreBloomline Acoustics provides OmniDrive loudspeakers that are integrated into 4DSOUND systems, merging proprietary software with their hardware to create state-of-the-art spatial sound systems.
- IT University Copenhagen (XTREME Project)flagshipEU Horizon Europe funded XTREME project (2024-2026) led by IT University Copenhagen. 4DSOUND serves as audio partner, developing a high-performance spatial audio engine for mixed reality cultural experiences at venues including MUNCH Museum Oslo, Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Finnish National Opera.
- Park Avenue ArmoryflagshipVenue for Arca's Mutant;Destrudo commission - a new work by experimental icon Arca, utilizing 4DSOUND spatial sound technology.
- DISK e.V. BerlinmajorCommissioned and co-produced ANIMATE project, an interdisciplinary initiative combining performance, installation, radio play, VR/AR with spatial sound technologies to address climate catastrophe.
- Kunstfest WeimarmajorCo-commissioned and co-produced ANIMATE project with Chris Salter, exploring climate catastrophe through immersive spatial sound and XR technologies.
- Deutschlandfunk KulturmajorCo-produced ANIMATE project, which included a radio play component broadcast on Deutschlandfunk Kultur in August 2022.
- University of the Arts Utrecht (HKU)majorSince 2022, 4DSOUND has been providing spatial sound classes at HKU's Music and Technology Department, integrating 4DSOUND technology into curriculum for Bachelor and Master students.
- Philip Beesley StudioflagshipCollaboration on Grove at La Biennale di Venezia, designing and developing 3D-printed omnidirectional speakers embedded in totemic basket-like columns carrying spatial sound composition.
- Lobe StudiocoreFirst dedicated spatial sound studio in North America with permanently integrated 4DSOUND system. Founded in Vancouver by Kate De Lorme and Edo Van Breemen under Inscapes Spatial Sound.
- MONOM StudioscoreMONOM Studios at Funkhaus Berlin houses the first 4DSOUND system and unique stage construction. Hosts artist residencies and public performances exploring spatial sound.
- NAP Frameworkcore4DSOUND's audio framework is built using the NAP (Numerical Algorithms and Data Processing) framework - a highly performant, modular, real-time control and visualization platform that enables far-reaching customization for sound applications.
- DE SINGELmajorAntwerp concert hall hosting 4DSOUND performances with 48 omnidirectional speakers. Artists Helena Basilova and Aart Strootman performed spatial sound pieces developed during residencies at the Amsterdam studio.
- Creative Industries FundminorSupported Grove project at La Biennale di Venezia with funding for the delicate and beautiful gathering space featuring luminous canopy and spatial sound.
- Mercer LabsmajorMercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology in NYC, houses a large scale 4DSOUND system with vibro-acoustic transducer floor in a 37,000 ft multi-sensory art exhibition space.
- CODE MuseummajorCODE - Center of Digital Experiences in Veszprém, Hungary, features two 4DSOUND-powered spaces: 400m² Hexagon and 60m² Studio for immersive audiovisual experiences.
- RhizomatiksmajorCustom A/V technology provider for Arca's Mutant;Destrudo performance at Park Avenue Armory, collaborating with 4DSOUND spatial sound design.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
4DSOUND competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Genelec: Finnish professional studio monitor manufacturer with growing immersive audio monitor lines and GLM calibration for multichannel/spatial setups — comparable professional audio customer base and broader AV portfolio.
- Barco: Global AV technology vendor operating in cinema and immersive venues, having absorbed the former IOSONO spatial audio business — overlaps with 4DSOUND on immersive venue deployments, with broader cinema/visual franchise.
- Dolby (Atmos): Dolby Atmos is the dominant mainstream object-based spatial audio format used in cinema, music streaming, and home theater — competes broadly with 4DSOUND for spatial audio mindshare and venue integrations, but at vastly greater scale.
- Sony (360 Reality Audio): Sony's 360 Reality Audio is an object-based spatial audio format for music streaming and headphones — competes with 4DSOUND on spatial audio music experiences, though at a streaming-format rather than installation scale.
Direct peers
- Meyer Sound: Established professional audio company offering Spacemap multi-channel spatial sound systems for live, immersive, and installed applications — comparable product category and customer base to 4DSOUND's spatial installations.
- L-Acoustics: French professional audio manufacturer whose L-ISA Immersive Sound Art platform delivers object-based spatial audio for live performances and installations — competes head-to-head with 4DSOUND for immersive venue and touring deployments.
- Holoplot: Berlin-based developer of 3D audio-beamforming hardware and software for spatial sound installations in venues and immersive environments — directly competes with 4DSOUND on omnidirectional, sweetspot-free spatial audio systems for installations.
- Sennheiser (AMBEO): Sennheiser's AMBEO division builds spatial audio hardware and software, including immersive microphones and processing tools used in immersive music and VR — directly comparable to 4DSOUND's spatial audio capture/render pipeline.
- d&b audiotechnik: German professional loudspeaker maker with its d&b Soundscape platform enabling object-based spatial audio for live events and venues — competes with 4DSOUND in the same high-end immersive installation market.
- Sonic Emotion: Swiss-based developer of wave field synthesis and object-based spatial audio rendering technology for installations and consumer products — closely comparable specialised spatial audio technology niche to 4DSOUND.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
4DSOUND social profiles
Digital presence4DSOUND financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
4DSOUND leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
4DSOUND subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
4DSOUND funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
4DSOUND 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 4DSOUND
What does 4DSOUND do?
4DSOUND develops proprietary hardware and software systems that create fully omnidirectional spatial sound environments. The integrated 4DSOUND Suite software controls custom speaker arrays (ceiling, floor, and vibroacoustic panels) to render Sound Holograms—sonic entities with spatial depth and dimensionality that appear in space without a traditional sweetspot. The company designs, installs, and operates these systems at partner studios, museums, universities, and cultural venues worldwide, and delivers studio residencies and educational workshops.
Is 4DSOUND a public or private company?
4DSOUND is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 4DSOUND founded?
4DSOUND was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 4DSOUND based?
4DSOUND is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does 4DSOUND make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Studio Rental and Artist Residencies are the primary driver. The others are educational Workshops and Masterclasses, spatial Sound System Sales and Installation and software Licensing (In Development).
Who are 4DSOUND's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Genelec, Barco, Dolby (Atmos) and Sony (360 Reality Audio). Direct peers are Meyer Sound, L-Acoustics, Holoplot, Sennheiser (AMBEO), d&b audiotechnik and Sonic Emotion.
Does 4DSOUND have an API?
No public API is recorded for 4DSOUND.
What industry is 4DSOUND in?
4DSOUND's product category is Spatial Audio Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAEAJ, Immersive/Spatial Audio Production (Dolby Atmos, 5.1/7.1, Binaural), with a secondary code of MPAIAIAB, Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX). Its NAICS code is 5122.