Montarbo: Much More Than Value for Money
Vassilis Ladonikolas…. www.alive.gr
At the Kariotis Audio & Lighting Open demo, Montarbo’s new generation systems proved that they are not just Value for Money propositions (an obvious fact consistent with Montarbo’s timeless Italian philosophy), but something much more: they demonstrated that they can stand up to their competition, even without the advantage of an affordable acquisition price, which they traditionally possess anyway…
But let’s start from the beginning…
Kariotis Audio & Lighting sent out a press release/invitation that, from the very first paragraph, got you hooked by focusing on the essence itself…
The press release began as follows… “In a market increasingly dominated by technical specifications, demo videos, and online presentations, Montarbo chooses to refocus its attention on a fundamental, often overlooked element: real listening…”
So, ready for real listening experiences, on Thursday afternoon we found ourselves at the company’s welcoming facilities in Megara to hear “the new Montarbo sound” as reproduced by the systems participating in the live demos…
These were:
* LINE ARRAY L28
* Subwoofers S182
* NETTUNO 10
* NETTUNO 20
* NETTUNO 50
* T12
* Monitor W12
* Monitor W15
The listening sessions began with the T12s, positioned in the near field alongside the other ‘sound columns’ of the Nettuno 10, 20, 50 series, while opposite us and considerably further away, the company’s brand new line array was set up – specifically, Montarbo’s first active line array, the Nettuno L28 / Subwoofers S182, which debuted at this year’s ISE 2026 exhibition in Barcelona (before this, the company had introduced the passive line array system Palco Plus RA16, about a decade and a half ago).
But let’s take a quick look at the systems presented…
Nettuno T12
The T12 is a 2-way active, point-source speaker with a 12-inch woofer featuring a ferrite magnetic system and a 3-inch voice coil, and a neodymium HF driver, 1 inch in diameter with a 1.75-inch voice coil. It is driven by a built-in amplifier with 1000 W RMS power reserves and an integrated DSP. Its coverage pattern is 60° × 40° horizontally and vertically respectively, and the speaker is intended for applications such as main PA, front fill, out fill, stage monitor, etc. It can be combined with the Nettuno series subs for extended low-end presence if required.
Nettuno 10
This is the smallest and slimmest active column system in its namesake series, primarily aimed at portable applications with a relatively short throw. It consists of a cabinet – base that houses 2×12” subwoofers, and on top of it, two column tops are developed, each containing six 3.25” full-range drivers.
Its maximum SPL reaches 132.5 dB, and the system’s coverage pattern supports a dispersion of 120° x 60°. The Nettuno 10 integrates a 1000 W RMS amplifier with 28/56-bit DSP, and supports Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and full remote management via the Nettuno 10 App control application.
It also incorporates a mixer with 4 mono input channels with Reverb FX level, Input Gain, Line/Mic/HI-Z switch, as well as stereo input channels, while the sub’s weight does not exceed 36.4 kg and the Top’s 7.5 kg.
Nettuno 20
Here, things start to get serious… The Nettuno 20 is aimed at more demanding live sound, touring, and fixed installation applications.
It features a two-way top that houses four 8-inch drivers, as well as a 1.4” HF driver with a 3-inch voice coil. It is combined with an active bass-reflex subwoofer that houses two 15-inch woofers. This combination achieves a maximum SPL of 137 dB and a dispersion of 90° x 40° horizontally and vertically. The integrated amplifiers have 1600 W RMS power reserves, while a 32-bit DSP processor handles system control, which supports connectivity via the RDNet protocol.
Nettuno 50
And now we move to the flagship of Montarbo’s active column systems, with the Nettuno 50 being a professional PA system intended for high-throw live sound, touring, and fixed installation applications, where power, control, and playback accuracy are paramount.
The system features a 2-way top, which includes two 12-inch low-frequency drivers and an HF driver with a 4-inch voice coil. The system is completed by two active bass-reflex subwoofers, each with two 15” woofers. Its maximum SPL reaches 137 dB and its dispersion is 90° x 40°.
It is driven by a built-in amplifier with 1600 W RMS power reserves and controlled by a 32-bit DSP processor, supporting RDNet connectivity. The system is fully configurable as a stack and ready to meet every need, as an additional sub can be added, and two satellites can be placed side-by-side on top with the appropriate defined tilt, as special rails on the sub ensure correct and, most importantly, secure placement of the satellites, which are simultaneously screwed onto the sub for complete safety during playback even in extreme SPL conditions.
The W12 & W15 Monitors
Also present at the listening sessions were the company’s two monitors, the W12 and the W15. These are two 2-way coaxial monitors with 12-inch and 15-inch woofers respectively, which we had the opportunity to listen to, and also test with the classic Audix OM5 dynamic vocal microphone (as well as any other microphone anyone wished)…
The new LINE ARRAY L28 / Subwoofers S182
As we mentioned, the Nettuno L28 is Montarbo’s first line array system in about 16 years, and it is their first active line array system. Each L28 cabinet includes two 8-inch woofers with a ferrite magnetic system and an HF driver with a 3-inch voice coil. All speakers are driven by a built-in amplifier
1000 W RMS with DSP and FIR filtering. The symmetrical waveguide loading of the speakers and the appropriately developed phase-plug provide the system, according to the manufacturer, with tonal balance, phase and temporal alignment, and the desired acoustic output level for the cabinet and speaker specifications.
Up to 20 cabinets can be flown per array, with horizontal dispersion reaching 100 degrees. The system’s frequency response extends from 75 Hz to 15.6 kHz, while its maximum SPL reaches 135.5 dB. The system is user-friendly and plug-and-play in its operation, with 8 presets designed to make your life easier (and system setup very fast). Furthermore, it is incredibly lightweight, as each cabinet weighs 23.4 kg. According to the company, the system can comfortably cover audiences of up to 5,000 spectators.
Regarding the S182 subwoofers, each houses two 18-inch woofers, their frequency response extends from 39 Hz to 100 Hz, their maximum SPL reaches 139 dB, and the integrated amplifier is Class D with 2 kWatt power reserves and a built-in DSP processor with FIR filters and multiple protections.
Listening…
The listening sessions began with the Nettuno T12, which proved to be a complete speaker, with a rich mid-range, very good low-end control, and quite fast in dynamic handling. A truly all-around speaker – a tool for a multitude of applications.
Next was the slimmest (and most affordable) column speaker of the trio, the Nettuno 10. Delicate, with good imaging and control, it clearly prioritizes vocal frequencies (clarity, intelligibility, and definition) and overall constitutes a column that offers everything (integrated mixer with many features, Bluetooth, control app, reverb effects, etc.). The low-end control here was also impressive (for its category), and the system’s usability gets top marks, as does its appearance (finish, construction, etc.), which is particularly important for the applications and venues where it will be used.
The Nettuno 20 is Pantelis Kariotis’s favorite, as he himself confessed just before the listening sessions. After the listening sessions, I bet it became the favorite of most attendees. Certainly my favorite, as the system was exceptionally balanced, combining playback accuracy, correct tonal presence, good stereo imaging with its wider baffle helping to define the soundstage more clearly, and of course, with excellent mid-range. The system also proved that, in addition to being delicate, it can perform equally well under more demanding driving conditions. It certainly covers a larger audience and is ideal for small and medium-sized live events.
The Nettuno 50 clearly told us from the first notes it was asked to reproduce that we were moving into another category. Though not immediately, as it showed it needed a higher SPL level to breathe and deliver its full potential. The system felt relaxed no matter how much it was pushed (which wasn’t much, I’d say very little, during the listening sessions). This is a large PA system that can handle many concerts and demanding live events, especially in its maximum supported configuration (3 subs + 2 tops per side). It offers abundant and almost endless yet controlled low end, descriptive and ‘lively’ mid-range, and airy highs. Primarily, however, it gives you the feeling that you have pure raw power in your hands, capable of meeting any SPL requirement with tonal and frequency balance and never letting you down. A truly large system that moves beyond the column logic and is clearly aimed at demanding PA conditions.
The unexpected surprise: the new LINE ARRAY L28 / Subwoofers S182
I won’t hide that when going to Megara, I primarily wanted to hear Montarbo’s active column systems in an open space (I had heard them about a year ago at their factory in Italy in the Italian company’s testing and listening studio). I had approached the new L28 line array system a bit more… perfunctorily, so I similarly anticipated its listening sessions, seeing it hanging opposite (8 cabinets per side and 8 S182 Subwoofers in the center in an end-fire configuration) patiently waiting for its turn to receive a signal at the input…
However, when it started playing (a pop track with female vocals), I truly couldn’t believe my ears. Perhaps it was because I hadn’t set my expectations particularly high, or because I’ve associated Montarbo with point-source implementations in my mind, or perhaps I was prepared (biased is the correct word) simply for a typical value-for-money system and a corresponding sound?
What happened, however, far exceeded my expectations. And this occurred (I emphasize this in bold) without me knowing the system’s cost bracket beforehand.
What we heard was a system with a crystal-clear and extremely descriptive mid-range. Tonality, timbres, balance (frequency and phase), the system boasts an exceptionally analytical and, above all, clear mid-range, masterfully highlighting vocals and solo instruments. The highs have air and body (I went twice to the screen with the technical specifications to confirm that the upper frequency response extends up to 15.6 kHz), while regarding the low end, body and volume were never lacking, without the system ever trying to ‘trick’ you. Yes, you hear 8-inch drivers, but the balance and body of the orchestra proved perfectly adequate.
And all this was heard only from the L28s (8 per side), without the subs, which were added subsequently for the system’s full-range listening sessions.
With the subs, the system was unleashed, clearly giving us the low-end signature of each recording, and the space filled with low frequencies that had volume and punch, but primarily control. Yes, I was impressed by how controlled the low end of all Montarbo subwoofers was. It is significant that the system performed consistently up to 50 meters, which was the distance set for the listening sessions of this particular setup.
And how much money are we ‘hearing’, master?
This, as I’ve said for years, is a characteristic and apt remark from high-end enthusiasts at audio exhibitions, when they go from room to room listening to various (usually expensive) audio systems…
So, if you’re impressed once by the new LINE ARRAY L28 / Subwoofers S182, when you learn from the representative that its net wholesale price does not exceed 40 thousand (this is for the extra 30-day discount after the open demo for the entire system we heard, including the subs), then we might be talking about the ultimate value-for-money system right now.
No, it won’t easily (or at all) make it onto riders because we have our well-known obsessions here; no, it’s not an extremely ‘famous’ and prominent brand/system; yes, even today in our parts, Montarbo is still associated by some with local festivals and the most popular folk wind instrument in Greek traditional music. However, if you overcome all these (or simply don’t care about them for the work you do) and just trust your ears (when looking for a line array system in this power and coverage category), then the new LINE ARRAY L28 / Subwoofers S182 will amaze you and is very likely to be at the top of your list of potential choices… The L28 wins you over twice… First with its sound, and then (also) with its price…
Well done, Montarbo, on the line arrays; you may have been quite late, but the wait was more than worth it…
Finally, since we mentioned prices, regarding the other systems in the Nettuno series that we heard, Kariotis Audio & Lighting informed us that offers for professionals include a -10% discount on all demoed systems, valid until July 23, 2026, and while stocks last…
More information about the systems and prices/offers can be obtained from Kariotis Audio & Lighting.
