What MERLAUD does

MERLAUD is a French audio systems manufacturer founded in 1923 and headquartered in Domont, Val-d'Oise, France, specializing in professional public address and sound reinforcement solutions for large-scale public infrastructure and landmark venues. The company designs, develops, and produces a comprehensive portfolio of audio equipment including amplifiers, loudspeakers, matrices, microphones, attenuators, network audio systems, and rack accessories. Its proprietary CENTRIS technology platform and next-generation AVB (Audio Video Bridging) network audio system enable large-scale digital audio distribution, while its products comply with EN54 fire safety standards and ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification.

The company serves primarily government and institutional clients in public transportation, iconic landmarks, and cultural heritage sectors. Its reference portfolio includes the Singapore Metro (60 bays powering more than 16,000 speakers across multiple lines as part of a decade-long Ministry of Transport project), the Eiffel Tower (EN54-compliant safety audio system), and Notre-Dame de Paris (complete acoustic study including 3D modeling followed by system deployment). The company offers end-to-end capability from on-site acoustic measurement and simulation through to system integration, with a 9-person team operating a direct enterprise sales motion targeting large infrastructure projects. Revenue is generated through hardware sales and integrated system contracts on a project-specific, quote-based pricing model, with no publicly disclosed pricing or revenue figures.

Name

MERLAUD

Legal name

MERLAUD

Website

https://merlaud.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MERLAUD is a French audio systems manufacturer founded in 1923 that designs amplifiers, loudspeakers, and network audio systems for public infrastructure, transit, and landmark venues, serving government and institutional clients across France and Singapore.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Audio Equipment

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro primary industry

Live Sound & Stage Equipment (PA Systems, Amplification, Monitoring) (MPAIAJAD)

Keywords

• Professional audio equipment
• Public address systems
• Sound reinforcement solutions
• Network audio systems
• Safety audio systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified in source

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Audio Equipment Sales: Sale of audio hardware including amplifiers, loudspeakers, microphones, attenuators, matrices, and related accessories. Products are sold as standalone equipment and as integrated system components for large infrastructure projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

MERLAUD designs, manufactures, and supplies professional audio amplification and sound distribution hardware — amplifiers, loudspeakers, matrices, microphones, and network audio systems — primarily for large-scale public infrastructure and landmark venues. The company provides integrated PA and EN54-compliant safety audio systems for transit networks, towers, cathedrals, and other heritage/commercial sites, complemented by in-house acoustic engineering (3D modeling and on-site studies).

Product overview

MERLAUD is a French audio and public address (PA) systems company established since 1923. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of sound reinforcement products organized into product categories: Amplificateurs (Amplifiers), Atténuateurs & Sélecteurs (Attenuators & Selectors), Audio sur Réseau/MIP (Network Audio), Coffrets & Accessoires (Racks & Accessories), Haut-Parleurs (Loudspeakers), Matrices & Sécurité (Matrices & Security), Microphones & Pupitres (Microphones & Lecterns), and Sources de modulation (Modulation Sources). Notable product sub-brands include the CENTRIS network audio system used in major installations like Singapore Metro and the AVB (Audio Video Bridging) system, as well as specific models like the AMH 5EC amplifier-mixer and HD 15 TE loudspeaker. The company specializes in security-compliant audio solutions including EN54 standard safety announcements, serving landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris, and Singapore Metro.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional amplifiers (AMH 5EC series)

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Biamp Systems: Manufacturer of networked commercial audio, voice evacuation, and DSP-based sound reinforcement for venues, transit, and corporate environments. Comparable to MERLAUD on networked AVB/Dante-based infrastructure audio for commercial and public-sector installations.
• Ateis: European specialist in voice alarm, PA, and EN54-compliant audio systems for infrastructure, transit, and public venues. Closely comparable to MERLAUD's niche in safety-grade PA solutions for landmark and government projects across Europe and adjacent markets.
• TOA Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of professional PA, voice evacuation, and emergency announcement systems for transit, infrastructure, and public facilities. Directly comparable to MERLAUD in serving large-scale public address and EN54-style voice alarm deployments.
• RCF Group: Italian pro audio group manufacturing amplifiers, loudspeakers, and commercial audio systems for installations and live events. Comparable to MERLAUD on pro audio manufacturing and European commercial/infrastructure focus, with overlapping customer segments in public venues.
• L-Acoustics: French premium manufacturer of professional loudspeaker systems and sound reinforcement for concerts, events, and large venues. Comparable to MERLAUD on professional audio manufacturing with strong French engineering heritage, though more skewed toward live event reinforcement than safety/infrastructure PA.
• QSC (QSC Audio): US-based professional audio manufacturer of amplifiers, loudspeakers, and network audio processing for commercial installations. Comparable to MERLAUD in pro audio amplification and networked PA infrastructure for venues and enterprise customers.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Security Systems (Electro-Voice): Bosch's security division offers PRAESENSA voice alarm and pro audio systems for infrastructure, while Electro-Voice covers professional loudspeakers and amplifiers. Direct competitor to MERLAUD in EN54 voice evacuation and large-venue audio, but as part of a much larger diversified portfolio.
• Bose Professional: Professional division offering loudspeakers, amplifiers, and DSP systems for venues, hospitality, and corporate environments. Comparable in commercial/institutional audio but at significantly broader scale, brand reach, and R&D budget than MERLAUD.
• Siemens (Voice Evacuation / Building Technologies): Siemens offers voice alarm and PA systems through its building technologies portfolio, serving transit, airports, and large public buildings. Comparable end-customer segments to MERLAUD, though within a much broader industrial conglomerate with global reach.
• Honeywell Fire (NOTIFIER / Fire-Lite): Honeywell's fire and life safety portfolio includes voice evacuation and emergency communication systems for transit, commercial, and government buildings. Comparable end-customer segments to MERLAUD's safety audio business, though at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/merlaud

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 MERLAUD