From concert-quality sound to immersive audio experiences, this high-tech manufacturer is elevating audio and acoustics, at home and beyond.
There’s nothing quite like it. The feeling that washes over you while watching your favourite musical artist at a concert hall; the sound system sending soundwaves through your body, provoking emotions that are only enhanced by the shared live experience. This sensation was matchless outside of a large-scale venue—until now, thanks to L-Acoustics. The Paris-headquartered audio manufacturer—a global specialist in concert sound systems since the 80s—has expanded into the residential realm with a range of professional sound systems designed to bring concert-quality sound into people’s homes.
L-Acoustics was founded in 1984 by particle physicist Dr. Christian Heil. Inspiration came to him while at a Pink Floyd concert where he experienced quadraphonic sound—an early form of spatial audio. This lightbulb moment led him on a mission to blend his science background and passion for music to revolutionise professional audio.
In 1992, L-Acoustics introduced a breakthrough that transformed live entertainment: the line source array. This innovation replaced the ‘wall of sound’ approach with a more elegant, precise solution that delivered superior sound quality while requiring less power and space—vital as audiences and visual effects grew. The company’s commitment to progress continued with L-ISA Hyperreal Immersive Sound, which creates a multi-dimensional audio experience that places listeners ‘inside’ the music.
Today, L-Acoustics systems are the preferred choice for the world’s most prestigious venues and events, from the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Philharmonie de Paris to Adele’s Las Vegas residency and nightclubs like Hï Ibiza. The same technology that powers these leading spots is now available for private residences, through the company’s sophisticated at-home stereo systems, spatialised L-ISA installations, and its latest innovation, HYRISS (Hyperreal Immersive Sound Space).
Introducing HYRISS
The notion for HYRISS was dreamed up by Dr. Heil while he was spending time at his villa in Antibes. One room in the house was being used for multiple purposes—from a wellness sanctuary to a music room for his daughter’s piano practice—and Dr. Heil found himself asking if there was a way to use sound to make the space more versatile. While it’s common for physical furnishings to set a theme or mood in a space, Dr. Heil wanted to create an audio system that could transform throughout the day and adapt to any activity—and even provoke certain emotions.
“We’ve reached a moment where the acoustics of our spaces deserve the same consideration as their aesthetics,” says Dr. Heil. “For too long, we’ve prioritised what we see over what we hear. HYRISS represents this philosophy: it’s a temple for the ears.”
HYRISS is an adaptable, state-of-the- art audio system featuring multiple acoustic configurations to suit all manner of activities and desired ambiences. The future-forward technology abandons traditional audio design principles to give users complete acoustic freedom, meaning that with the touch of a button, a space can morph from a tranquil yoga studio into an immersive cinema room or at-home concert venue.
“When you step into a HYRISS room, the world melts away,” explains Laurent Vaissié, CEO at L-Acoustics. “It starts with pure silence and then it brings you deep into the music. Every note surrounds you, each instrument finds its perfect place in space, just as nature intended. Whether it’s an intimate jazz recording or a full orchestral piece, HYRISS doesn’t just play the music —it recreates the entire emotional journey, making you forget you’re in a room at all. It’s not about listening to the music anymore; it’s about being swept away to a different world.”
L-Acoustics provides the technologies and tools and works with designers, architects and engineers to create spaces that are as sonically captivating as they are visually stunning, without impacting the design. HYRISS systems are discreet and ‘hidden’ in plain sight by specialist installers who integrate them into the walls of the room, maintaining the space’s visual aesthetic. In this way, the sound becomes the perfect finishing touch to an all-immersive experience.
