Montarbo: Much more than Value for Money
Vasilis Ladonikolas.... www.alive.gr
At Kariotis Audio & Lighting's Open Demo, Montarbo's latest-generation sound systems proved that they are not simply outstanding value-for-money solutions—a characteristic that has long been part of the Italian manufacturer's philosophy—but something far more significant. They demonstrated that they are fully capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with their competitors, even without relying on their traditionally attractive price point.
Let's start from the beginning.
Kariotis Audio & Lighting sent out a press invitation that immediately captured attention by focusing on what truly matters.
The opening statement read:
"In a market increasingly dominated by technical specifications, demonstration videos and online presentations, Montarbo has chosen to refocus attention on something fundamental that is often overlooked: real listening."
With that in mind, we headed to the company's facilities in Megara on Thursday afternoon, ready for genuine listening sessions and eager to hear what Montarbo describes as "the new Montarbo sound."
The systems showcased during the live demonstrations included:
- LINE ARRAY L28
- S182 Subwoofers
- NETTUNO 10
- NETTUNO 20
- NETTUNO 50
- T12
- W12 Monitor
- W15 Monitor
The listening sessions began with the T12, positioned in the near field alongside the Nettuno 10, 20 and 50 column systems. Facing us, at a much greater distance, stood Montarbo's brand-new line array system—its first-ever active line array—the Nettuno L28 paired with S182 subwoofers, which made its official debut earlier this year at ISE 2026 in Barcelona. (Montarbo's previous line array product was the passive Palco Plus RA16, introduced approximately sixteen years ago.)
Let's take a closer look at each system.
Nettuno T12
The T12 is a two-way active point-source loudspeaker featuring a 12-inch ferrite woofer with a 3-inch voice coil, paired with a 1-inch neodymium HF compression driver equipped with a 1.75-inch voice coil.
Power comes from a built-in 1,000 W RMS amplifier with integrated DSP processing.
Coverage is specified at 60° × 40° (H × V), making the T12 suitable for a wide range of applications including:
- Main PA
- Front-fill
- Out-fill
- Stage monitoring
When extended low-frequency performance is required, the T12 can be paired with Nettuno-series subwoofers.
Nettuno 10
The Nettuno 10 is the most compact and portable active column system in the series, designed primarily for small- to medium-scale portable applications.
The system consists of:
- a base cabinet housing two 12-inch subwoofers
- two column sections, each containing six 3.25-inch full-range drivers
Maximum SPL reaches 132.5 dB, while coverage is rated at 120° × 60°.
Power is provided by a 1,000 W RMS amplifier combined with 28/56-bit DSP processing.
Additional features include:
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- Full remote control through the Nettuno 10 App
- Integrated four-channel mono mixer
- Reverb effects
- Input Gain adjustment
- Mic/Line/Hi-Z switching
- Stereo input channels
Despite its capabilities, portability remains excellent, with the subwoofer weighing just 36.4 kg and each column section only 7.5 kg.
Nettuno 20
This is where things become considerably more serious.
The Nettuno 20 targets professional live sound, touring and fixed-installation applications.
The system features:
- a two-way top cabinet with four 8-inch drivers
- a 1.4-inch HF compression driver with a 3-inch voice coil
Low frequencies are handled by an active bass-reflex subwoofer housing two 15-inch woofers.
This configuration delivers:
- Maximum SPL: 137 dB
- Coverage: 90° × 40° (H × V)
Amplification totals 1,600 W RMS, while a 32-bit DSP processor manages system optimization.
Networking and remote control are supported through RDNet connectivity.
Nettuno 50
The Nettuno 50 represents the flagship of Montarbo's active column range.
Designed for demanding live sound, touring and permanent installation projects, it is intended for applications where output, control and sonic accuracy are essential.
The two-way top cabinet incorporates:
- two 12-inch low-frequency drivers
- one HF compression driver with a 4-inch voice coil
The complete system includes two active bass-reflex subwoofers, each equipped with dual 15-inch woofers.
Performance specifications include:
- Maximum SPL: 137 dB
- Coverage: 90° × 40°
Power comes from a 1,600 W RMS amplifier, controlled by a 32-bit DSP processor, with full RDNet compatibility.
One particularly interesting feature is the system's modular architecture.
It can be configured as a stacked system, allowing an additional subwoofer to be added while accommodating two top cabinets side by side at the appropriate splay angle. Integrated guide rails and mechanical locking points ensure both precise alignment and maximum safety—even under extremely high SPL conditions.
W12 & W15 Stage Monitors
Also on demonstration were Montarbo's two professional stage monitors, the W12 and W15.
These are both two-way coaxial stage monitors, featuring 12-inch and 15-inch woofers respectively.
Besides listening to them under normal playback conditions, attendees were also encouraged to test them live using the classic Audix OM5 dynamic vocal microphone—or any other microphone they wished to bring to the stage.
The New L28 Line Array & S182 Subwoofers
As previously mentioned, the Nettuno L28 marks Montarbo's return to the line array market after approximately sixteen years—and more importantly, it is the company's first active line array system.
Each L28 enclosure houses:
- Two 8-inch ferrite woofers
- One high-frequency compression driver with a 3-inch voice coil
All transducers are powered by an integrated 1,000 W RMS Class-D amplifier featuring onboard DSP processing and FIR filtering.
According to Montarbo, the combination of a symmetrical waveguide and carefully engineered phase plug provides excellent tonal balance, phase coherence and time alignment while delivering the maximum possible acoustic performance from the cabinet.
Up to 20 cabinets can be flown per array.
Key specifications include:
- Horizontal coverage: 100°
- Frequency response: 75 Hz – 15.6 kHz
- Maximum SPL: 135.5 dB
- Cabinet weight: 23.4 kg
Ease of deployment has clearly been a design priority. The system is essentially plug-and-play, with eight factory presets allowing engineers to configure the array quickly and efficiently.
According to Montarbo, an appropriately configured L28 system is capable of comfortably covering audiences of up to 5,000 people.
S182 Subwoofers
Each S182 subwoofer incorporates:
- Two 18-inch woofers
- Frequency response from 39 Hz to 100 Hz
- Maximum SPL of 139 dB
Power comes from an integrated 2,000 W Class-D amplifier, complete with DSP processing, FIR filters and multiple protection circuits.
Listening Sessions
The demonstrations began with the Nettuno T12, which immediately proved itself to be a remarkably complete loudspeaker.
Its midrange was rich and articulate, bass response remained tight and controlled, while transient performance was impressively fast and accurate.
Overall, the T12 feels like a genuine all-purpose workhorse capable of covering an exceptionally wide range of professional applications.
The next system was the smallest—and most affordable—member of the column family, the Nettuno 10.
Elegant both visually and sonically, it delivers excellent imaging and control while placing particular emphasis on vocal frequencies. Speech intelligibility, clarity and overall definition are among its strongest attributes.
Considering its compact size, low-frequency performance was surprisingly well controlled, and from a usability standpoint the system is difficult to fault. The integrated mixer, Bluetooth connectivity, remote-control app and onboard reverb make it an extremely versatile package.
Its overall build quality, finish and industrial design are equally impressive—important qualities for systems frequently used in corporate events, hospitality venues and premium portable applications.
The Nettuno 20, as Pantelis Kariotis admitted just before the demonstrations began, is his personal favourite.
After listening to it, I'd be willing to bet it became the favourite of many others attending the event as well.
It certainly became mine.
The system struck an excellent balance between accuracy, tonal neutrality and musicality. Stereo imaging was particularly convincing, helped by the wider cabinet geometry that created a noticeably larger and better-defined soundstage.
The midrange deserves special praise. Vocals and acoustic instruments were reproduced with exceptional realism, while the system also demonstrated that its refined character doesn't come at the expense of output capability. When driven harder, it remained composed and authoritative.
Without question, the Nettuno 20 is capable of covering significantly larger audiences and represents an excellent solution for small- and medium-sized live events.
Nettuno 50
From the very first notes it reproduced, the Nettuno 50 made one thing abundantly clear: this system belongs in an entirely different league.
Not immediately, though.
It quickly became apparent that the system is designed to come alive at higher SPL levels, where it truly begins to reveal its full potential.
Once there, it feels effortlessly composed, no matter how demanding the programme material becomes. During the demo it was hardly pushed to its limits, yet it consistently conveyed the impression that enormous headroom remained in reserve.
This is a serious professional PA system capable of handling concerts and demanding live productions with ease—particularly in its maximum configuration of three subwoofers and two top cabinets per side.
Low-frequency performance is generous yet remarkably disciplined. Bass extends effortlessly while remaining tight and controlled, the midrange is expressive and engaging, and the high frequencies are open and airy.
Above all, the system inspires confidence. It gives the impression that you're working with an amplifier that always has plenty left in reserve—delivering high SPL without compromising tonal balance or losing composure.
Although it belongs to Montarbo's column-series family, the Nettuno 50 goes well beyond the traditional expectations of a column system and enters the territory of full-scale professional PA solutions.
The Unexpected Star of the Day: L28 Line Array & S182 Subwoofers
To be completely honest, when I travelled to Megara my primary objective was to hear Montarbo's active column systems in an outdoor environment.
I had already listened to them roughly a year earlier at Montarbo's headquarters in Italy, inside the company's listening and testing facilities.
The new L28 Line Array, on the other hand, was something I had approached with far less anticipation.
Standing opposite us—eight cabinets per side, supported by eight centrally positioned S182 subwoofers configured in an end-fire array—it patiently waited its turn.
I expected a competent demonstration.
Nothing more.
Then the music started.
The opening track featured female vocals, and within seconds I found myself questioning what I was hearing.
Perhaps my expectations had simply been too modest.
Perhaps I still subconsciously associated Montarbo primarily with point-source loudspeakers.
Or perhaps I had arrived expecting nothing more than another well-priced professional system.
Whatever the reason, reality proved dramatically different.
And I should emphasize this point:
I had absolutely no idea what the system cost at that stage.
What we heard was a system with an exceptionally clean, highly detailed and wonderfully articulate midrange.
Its tonal balance was excellent.
Instrument timbres sounded natural.
Phase coherence was immediately apparent.
The overall presentation felt balanced, refined and effortless.
Vocals were reproduced beautifully, while solo instruments emerged with remarkable clarity and realism.
The high frequencies possessed both openness and substance.
In fact, I walked over to the specification screen twice simply to confirm that the upper frequency response officially extends only to 15.6 kHz.
It genuinely sounded as though there was considerably more extension available.
As for the low end, the system never attempted to create an artificial impression of bass.
Yes, you can hear that the array is built around 8-inch drivers.
But what impressed me was how naturally the orchestra retained its body and scale despite that.
There was sufficient weight, convincing balance and an overall presentation that never felt compromised.
And all of these impressions were formed before the subwoofers were even switched on.
At that point we were listening only to the L28 arrays—eight cabinets per side.
Once the S182 subwoofers entered the equation, the entire system seemed to open up.
Suddenly every recording acquired a clearly defined low-frequency foundation.
The venue filled with bass that combined impact, extension and authority while remaining exceptionally well controlled.
In fact, one characteristic consistently stood out throughout the day:
Every Montarbo subwoofer we heard demonstrated outstanding low-frequency control.
Equally impressive was the system's consistency.
The setup had been tuned to cover approximately 50 metres, and its tonal balance remained essentially unchanged throughout that listening distance—a strong indication of excellent array behaviour and system optimisation.
"How Much Money Are We Listening To?"
Over the years, one of my favourite expressions among high-end audio enthusiasts visiting hi-fi exhibitions has always been:
"How much money are we listening to?"
It's the question people ask as they move from room to room, listening to increasingly expensive sound systems and trying to guess their price before looking at the price tag.
The same question inevitably came to mind here.
Because being impressed by the L28 Line Array / S182 is one thing.
Finding out afterwards that the complete system we heard—including the subwoofers—has a net wholesale price of under €40,000 (during Kariotis Audio & Lighting's 30-day post-demo promotional offer) is something else entirely.
At that point, one begins to wonder whether this might currently be one of the strongest value-for-money professional line array systems available on the market.
Certainly, it won't instantly appear on every international rider.
And yes, Montarbo isn't among the handful of brands that dominate the global touring market.
In Greece, at least, the company still carries a somewhat outdated reputation. For some, the Montarbo name remains associated with local festivals and traditional music events rather than large-scale professional productions.
But if you can set those preconceptions aside—or if they simply aren't relevant to the type of work you do—and instead trust your ears, then the new L28 / S182 deserves serious consideration.
Anyone looking for a line array system in this output and coverage class should make a point of listening to it.
There's a very good chance it will end up near the top of the shortlist.
Because the L28 wins you over twice.
First with its sound.
And then with its price.
Final Thoughts
So, well done, Montarbo.
It may have taken the company many years to return to the line array market, but the wait has unquestionably been worthwhile.
The L28 demonstrates that Montarbo is no longer simply competing in the value segment.
It is now delivering products capable of standing confidently alongside far more established competitors on sonic merit alone.
As for the rest of the Nettuno range presented during the event, Kariotis Audio & Lighting announced a 10% professional discount on all demo systems, valid until 23 July 2026, or while stocks last.
For further technical information, pricing and current promotional offers, interested professionals are encouraged to contact Kariotis Audio & Lighting directly.
