People are sound

What People are sound does

People Are Sound is a Paris-based acoustic design and sound engineering firm founded in 2014 through the association of two specialized entities: 31dB, a sound production agency serving film, TV, web, event, and corporate clients, and HC Acoustique, an acoustic engineering consultancy. The company operates as a unified entity combining creative sound production capabilities with certified acoustic measurement and spatial modeling expertise under a single roof. Its core technology spans acoustic engineering, bone conduction (osteophonic) audio, and interactive sound diffusion systems designed for complex spatial environments, supported by an in-house recording, production, and post-production studio in central Paris equipped with analog and digital audio equipment.

The firm delivers three interconnected service modules: Créations & Scénographies sonores (bespoke sound creation and scenography for museum exhibitions and immersive experiences), Acoustique & Sonorisation d'espaces (acoustic consulting, system integration, Public Address, and safety sound systems), and R&D (development of proprietary innovations such as the B.O.X. bone conduction listening kiosk). It serves two primary customer verticals: museums and cultural institutions—including the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Centre Pompidou-Metz, Fondation-musée Raymond Devos, Institut du Monde Arabe, and the Venice Architecture Biennale—and private sector/corporate clients including Hermès, Philips, and Back Market. Public collectives (collectivités) form a secondary segment.

The business model is project-based professional services with bespoke pricing per engagement. Go-to-market is consultative enterprise field sales targeting both public institutions and private brand clients, with demand generation through a portfolio-driven website, organic social media presence, and participation in high-profile cultural events. The firm operates from a single Paris headquarters in the 11th arrondissement with a headcount of 1-10 employees and shows no evidence of external investment, private equity, or venture capital involvement.

Name

People are sound

Legal name

People Are Sound

Website

https://peoplearesound.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Paris-based acoustic design and soundscape creation firm founded in 2014 by sound production agency 31dB and acoustic consultancy HC Acoustique, serving museums, cultural institutions, luxury brands, and corporate clients with bespoke sound engineering and proprietary bone conduction technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sound Design and Acoustic Engineering Services

NAICS

Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)

akta.pro primary industry

Sound Effects (SFX) Editorial & Library Services (MPAHAEAD)

Keywords

• Acoustic engineering services
• Sound design services
• Museum exhibition audio
• Immersive soundscapes
• Bone conduction audio

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional services - sound design and acoustic consulting: Project-based consulting and implementation services for sound design, acoustic engineering, and spatial audio solutions for museums, cultural venues, corporate events, and public institutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

People Are Sound is a Paris-based sound design and acoustic engineering studio offering three core service pillars: sound creation and sound scenography for cultural venues and brands, acoustic engineering and space sound system design, and applied R&D including proprietary bone conduction (ostéophonie) audio modules and the B.O.X. interactive listening station. The studio serves museums, cultural institutions, luxury brands, corporations, and public-sector clients across France and internationally.

Product overview

People Are Sound is a unified company offering integrated sound space services, combining acoustic engineering (via HC Acoustique) and sound creation/production (via 31dB) capabilities. Founded in 2014, the company provides three interconnected service modules: Créations & Scénographies sonores for museum and exhibition sound design; Acoustique & Sonorisation d'espaces for acoustic consulting and system integration; and R&D for developing innovative solutions like the B.O.X. bone conduction listening station. The portfolio also includes proprietary bone conduction modules developed for exhibition and museum applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• B.O.X. Interactive bone conduction listening kiosk - a self-service audio experience using osteophony (bone conduction) technology allowing users to listen through their skull bones.

Products and services

• Sound Creation and Sound Scenography Design and production of original sound content, sound identity, and immersive soundscapes for exhibitions, brands, cultural venues, and immersive experiences. Aimed at museums, cultural institutions, and luxury brand clients seeking a complete audio identity.
• Acoustic Engineering and Space Sound Systems Acoustic studies and design, sound system engineering, and integration of audio playback systems into built environments such as museums, exhibitions, and corporate spaces.
• Applied R&D in Bone Conduction Audio Research and development of proprietary osteophonic (bone conduction) audio modules and innovative sound interaction systems for integration into third-party products, exhibitions, and environments.
• B.O.X. (Borne d'écoute ostéophonique) Interactive bone conduction (ostéophonic) listening station that allows visitors to experience audio content through bone conduction without headphones. Designed for deployment in museums, cultural venues, and public spaces.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• 31dBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner31dB is a sound production agency specializing in Film, TV, Web, Event, and corporate clients. It is one of the two founding partners of People Are Sound (alongside HC Acoustique). 31dB provides the creative sound content production capabilities, including their recording and post-production studio in central Paris.
• HC AcoustiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHC Acoustique is an acoustic engineering consultancy and the other founding partner of People Are Sound. They provide acoustic measurement and modeling tools, compliance expertise, and technical acoustic engineering capabilities for complex spatial environments.
• 31dB (studio capabilities)coreTechnology or IntegrationIn-house recording, production and post-production studio in central Paris equipped with best analog and digital audio technology for creating bespoke sound content.
• HC Acoustique (tools and expertise)coreTechnology or IntegrationHC Acoustique provides certified acoustic measurement and modeling tools and engineering expertise, enabling People Are Sound to deliver optimal acoustic solutions for client spaces.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• White Light: UK-based AV integrator specializing in technical production and installations for theatres, museums, and live events. Comparable to People Are Sound as a project-based provider of immersive audio and lighting design for cultural and exhibition projects.
• Arup Acoustics: Global engineering consultancy with a dedicated acoustics practice providing acoustic design, sound system consulting, and noise control for museums, performance venues, and cultural buildings—the most direct competitor for People Are Sound's acoustic consulting and system integration work on institutional commissions.
• Cundall: International engineering consultancy with an established acoustics team serving museums, offices, and cultural venues. Comparable to People Are Sound as a specialist acoustic and AV consultancy competing for similar institutional commissions in Europe and globally.
• Mott MacDonald Acoustics: International engineering consultancy offering acoustic and audio-visual design services for buildings and infrastructure, including cultural and public spaces. Comparable to People Are Sound as a multidisciplinary firm providing both technical acoustic studies and AV system design for institutional clients.

Broad incumbents

• Bose Professional: Pro audio division of Bose offering installed sound solutions and design support for hospitality, cultural, and retail venues. Competes in the same architectural audio installation space, though with a more product-led and standardized approach than People Are Sound's bespoke offering.
• L-Acoustics: French professional audio manufacturer and sound system designer, headquartered near Paris. While primarily a product company, L-Acoustics operates in the same cultural-venue and event installation ecosystem and could partner with—or compete against—People Are Sound on large French and international projects.
• d&b audiotechnik: German professional audio manufacturer offering sound system design and integration services for cultural venues, theatres, and events. Operates in the same ecosystem of high-end cultural audio installations as People Are Sound.
• Sennheiser: German audio equipment manufacturer with a professional division serving installed sound, broadcasting, and cultural venues. Adjacent to People Are Sound's value chain as a potential equipment supplier and integrator for museum and exhibition projects.
• Harman Professional: Large professional audio, video, and lighting solutions provider with global reach. Comparable as a one-stop provider of audio systems and integration for venues including museums and cultural institutions, though at significantly greater scale.
• Meyer Sound: US-based professional audio manufacturer with strong presence in immersive sound design for cultural installations and performance venues. Comparable as a provider of both high-end audio systems and design services for museums and exhibitions.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peoplearesound

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 People are sound