Arbane Group
French designer and manufacturer of professional loudspeakers and public-address systems (APG and Active Audio brands) for transport hubs, houses of worship, theatres, stadiums, conference rooms and hospitality venues, sold via integrators and distributors across 30+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersBouguenais, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Arbane Group does
Arbane Groupe is a French designer and manufacturer of professional loudspeakers and public address (PA) sound systems, formed in 2020 through the merger of APG (founded 1978, focused on powerful speakers for live events, theatres, clubs and stadiums) and Active Audio (founded 2002, focused on speech-intelligibility solutions for public spaces). The company operates two retained sub-brands under a single legal entity, Active Audio SAS, and runs its manufacturing and R&D from a shared facility in Bouguenais, near Nantes. It serves audiovisual integrators, technical service providers for the performing arts, and distributors, addressing venue types spanning transport hubs, houses of worship, conference rooms, live events, theatres, hospitality venues, stadiums and educational institutions.
The product portfolio comprises hardware ranges including Uniline Compact line arrays, iX/iS installation speakers, DX stage monitors, SB subwoofers and the SPOT range under APG, and Ray-On, StepArray, Vendôme, PoE and B70 column and conference speakers under Active Audio. Underlying technology includes several proprietary and patented elements: DGRC (Digital & Geometric Radiation Control), a patented driver-arrangement method enabling beam steering and directivity control; NDB (No Diffraction Baffle) curved front-panel design; ISOTOP coaxial line-array technology; and coaxial driver technology mastered since 1990. The company also offers NESS, a free manufacturer-supported spatialization software combining Wave Field Synthesis and Distance-Based Amplitude Panning algorithms, managing up to 16 sources and 32 output channels. Products integrate with third-party amplifiers (Powersoft), audio networking (Dante) and processing/microphone equipment from Yamaha, Xilica, Shure, Sennheiser and others.
The business model is primarily hardware sales of professional audio equipment manufactured in France, sold directly through an internal sales team within France and distributed via an exclusive, trained distributor network across more than 30 countries; NESS software is provided free of charge. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market relies on audiovisual integrators (a French network of roughly 40 integrators/service providers), distributors, the Arbane Academy certification/training program, and marketing via website/blog, LinkedIn, press releases and case studies. Notable installations include the Sanctuary of Lourdes, Leuven railway station (Belgium), UN conference rooms in Geneva, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque and the Presidential Palace in Beijing.
Arbane Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Arbane Group
- Legal name
- ACTIVE AUDIO SAS
- Website
- https://arbane-groupe.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- French designer and manufacturer of professional loudspeakers and public-address systems (APG and Active Audio brands) for transport hubs, houses of worship, theatres, stadiums, conference rooms and hospitality venues, sold via integrators and distributors across 30+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Arbane Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Audio Equipment
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Sound & Stage Equipment (PA Systems, Amplification, Monitoring) (MPAIAJAD)
Keywords
Where Arbane Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bouguenais
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Arbane Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Professional Speaker Hardware Sales: Sale of professional audio equipment including loudspeakers, column speakers, line arrays, subwoofers, and amplifiers under APG and Active Audio brands. Products are manufactured in France at the Bouguenais facility and distributed through direct sales and exclusive distributor network in 30+ countries.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Arbane Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Arbane Group designs, manufactures, and distributes professional loudspeakers and public address systems for venues including transport hubs, houses of worship, conference rooms, theatres, live events, clubs and bars, stadiums, and educational institutions. Under its APG and Active Audio sub-brands, the company sells column speakers, line arrays, coaxial installation speakers, stage monitors, subwoofers, DSP amplifiers, and provides NESS spatial audio software. Products are manufactured in France at the Bouguenais facility and distributed direct in France and through exclusive trained distributors in 30+ countries.
Product overview
Arbane Group is a French professional sound system manufacturer formed in 2020 through the merger of APG (founded 1978) and Active Audio (founded 2002), offering the widest product range in France for professional audio and public address applications. The portfolio comprises two main sub-brands: APG focuses on powerful speakers for live events, theatres, clubs, and stadiums with technologies like ISOTOP, coaxial drivers, and NDB baffle design (Uniline Compact, iX, iS, DX, SB, SPOT); Active Audio specializes in speech intelligibility solutions with patented DGRC technology for column speakers (Ray-On, StepArray, Vendôme, PoE, B70). NESS software provides free spatial audio processing. Products integrate with Powersoft amplifiers, Dante audio networking, and third-party mixing/processing equipment. All manufacturing occurs at the Bouguenais facility with distribution across 30+ countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- APG: French manufacturer of professional audio speakers for performance and events since 1978. Known for coaxial technology, NDB (No Diffraction Baffle), and ISOTOP line array systems. Products include Uniline Compact, DX range monitors, iX series, SPOT 2.6, and UC series.
- Active Audio
Products and services
- APG Uniline Compact Modular line-array system for theatres and performance venues from 100 to 3,000 people; comprises UC206N, UC206W, UC115B and subwoofers, designed for rental and fixed installations and featuring compact dimensions.
- APG iX Series Coaxial installation loudspeaker range with NDB (No Diffraction Baffle) technology, comprising iX5, iX6, iX8, iX12 and iX15 models with passive crossover and bass-reflex loading for broadband operation; iX-O variant available in IP54 outdoor rating.
- APG iS Subwoofers Compact subwoofer family (iS110, iS112, iS115) with mounting accessories designed for integration with iX coaxial speakers.
- APG DX Series Stage Monitors Versatile stage monitoring loudspeakers (DX8, DX12, DX12) used for distributed or lightweight façade systems in addition to stage monitoring.
- APG SB Series Subwoofers Subwoofer family (SB115M2, UC118i) for extended low-frequency response in fixed and mobile installations.
- APG SPOT 2.6 Compact and powerful loudspeaker for small stages or large-scale distributed sound systems; suitable for speeches, conferences and rock/electronic concerts when combined with iS or UC118i subwoofers.
- APG DA Amplifiers APG-branded DSP amplifiers (DA 15:3, DA 8, etc.) with built-in DSP, extended connectivity and dedicated presets for APG loudspeakers, with optimized protection algorithms for safe full-power operation.
- Active Audio Ray-On Passive column loudspeaker family applying DGRC directivity control; the R110 model delivers up to 20 m throw at ±5 dB and is used in churches, conference rooms, station platforms and shopping malls. Ray-On models are certified to EN 54-24 for evacuation PA.
- Active Audio StepArray Column loudspeaker family with electronic directivity adjustment using DGRC, offering horizontal beam steering; models SA180S (1840 mm × 124 mm, 15 m SPL 97 dB), SA180P (1.8 m columns) and SA250P (2.5 m columns). The largest installation to date is 64 units at Leuven railway station.
- Active Audio Vendôme Versatile speaker systems with stylish design for bars, restaurants and conference rooms; part of Active Audio's expansion into multi-purpose venues.
- Active Audio B70 Range Conference and meeting-room speakers with integrated amplifiers or Power over Ethernet (PoE), bringing DGRC technology to modern technological conferencing environments.
- NESS Spatial Audio Software Free spatialization software by APG implementing WFS (Wave Field Synthesis) and DBAP (Distance-Based Amplitude Panning) algorithms, managing up to 16 sources and 32 output channels; includes a reverb engine and motion/trajectory management for virtual sound objects in bars, nightclubs, theatres and conference halls.
Quantifiable outcome
- STI (Speech Transmission Index) >0.5 achieved in Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary despite very complex acoustics with 24m dome and extensive mosaics
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Arbane Group
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Arbane Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
Arbane Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- TVV Sound (Belgium)coreBelgian distributor and system integrator contracted by Infrabel (Belgian public railway operator) to install 64 Active Audio StepArray speakers at Leuven railway station. TVV Sound performs validation listening sessions and installation of the horizontal beam steering configuration.
- ISA Group (Ingénierie Scénique et Audiovisuelle)coreRegional system integrator and APG network partner that installed the complete APG Uniline Compact system at La Halle ô Grains theatre. Parent company is Groupe Sonowest, a long-term APG partner.
- Ecclesia SoundcoreSystem integrator that installed Active Audio Ray-On column speakers in Jesuit chapels in Marseille. Previously successfully installed Active Audio speakers in Saint-Ferréol church.
- Audiomaster Technologie (subsidiary of ACE EVENT GROUP)coreLocal integrator that installed APG and Active Audio systems at Sanctuary of Lourdes. Responsible for both outdoor (70 iX8-O speakers) and indoor (6 StepArray speakers) installations, maintaining 30-year relationship with Arbane Groupe.
- PowersoftstrategicAmplifier manufacturer providing Quattrocanali DSP+D amplifiers (32 units at Leuven station) and Mezzo amplifiers for various installations. APG has developed specific amplifier presets for Powersoft equipment integrated via ArmoníaPlus software.
- Music LightminorLocal event provider and member of APG network of service provider partners in France. Regular user of APG equipment for several years, introduced APG to La Halle ô Grains theatre management through summer outdoor events.
- InfrabelstrategicBelgian public railway operator that contracted TVV Sound to overhaul the 20-year-old PA system at Leuven station. Represents the end customer for the largest Active Audio installation to date.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves2 records
Arbane Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Martin Audio: British manufacturer of professional loudspeakers including line arrays, stage monitors, and installation products. Direct competitor in the installation and live sound segments where Arbane operates.
- L-Acoustics: French-headquartered manufacturer of professional loudspeakers and line array systems for live and installed sound. Direct competitor in the same product categories (line arrays, column speakers, PA systems) and overlapping customer base in venues, tours, and installations.
- d&b audiotechnik: German manufacturer of professional audio systems with comparable technology focus on directivity, beam steering, and integrated amplification. Competes head-to-head with Arbane on installations and live events globally.
- RCF SpA: Italian professional audio manufacturer offering a full range of loudspeakers and amplifiers. Comparable European peer competing across installation, touring, and portable PA segments.
- NEXO (Yamaha): French-origin professional loudspeaker maker (now part of Yamaha) producing line arrays, point source, and installation speakers. Direct peer in touring and fixed-installation markets served by Arbane's APG and Active Audio brands.
- Meyer Sound: US-based professional loudspeaker manufacturer known for self-powered systems and large-format line arrays. Competes with Arbane in theatres, concert halls, and large venue installations.
Emerging players
- Adamson Systems Engineering: Canadian manufacturer of professional loudspeakers with focus on touring and large-format line arrays. Comparable technology scope but smaller scale than Arbane, with growing presence in installation markets.
Broad incumbents
- JBL Professional (Harman): Large professional audio brand within Harman International offering installation and touring loudspeakers. Competes broadly across Arbane's venue and event segments via extensive global distribution.
- Bose Professional: Division of Bose Corporation focused on professional installed sound systems for venues, hospitality, and houses of worship. Overlaps with Arbane in fixed installations but as part of a much broader consumer and professional audio portfolio.
- Tannoy (Music Tribe): Heritage loudspeaker brand within Music Tribe (Behringer parent) covering installed sound and premium commercial audio. Competes with Arbane in architectural installations and houses of worship segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Arbane Group social profiles
Digital presenceArbane Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Arbane Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Arbane Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Arbane Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Arbane Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Arbane Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Arbane Group
What does Arbane Group do?
Arbane Group designs, manufactures, and distributes professional loudspeakers and public address systems for venues including transport hubs, houses of worship, conference rooms, theatres, live events, clubs and bars, stadiums, and educational institutions. Under its APG and Active Audio sub-brands, the company sells column speakers, line arrays, coaxial installation speakers, stage monitors, subwoofers, DSP amplifiers, and provides NESS spatial audio software. Products are manufactured in France at the Bouguenais facility and distributed direct in France and through exclusive trained distributors in 30+ countries.
Is Arbane Group a public or private company?
Arbane Group is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Arbane Group founded?
Arbane Group was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Arbane Group based?
Arbane Group is headquartered in Bouguenais, France, in the Europe region.
How does Arbane Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: professional Speaker Hardware Sales.
Who are Arbane Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Martin Audio, L-Acoustics, d&b audiotechnik, RCF SpA, NEXO (Yamaha) and Meyer Sound. Adamson Systems Engineering is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are JBL Professional (Harman), Bose Professional and Tannoy (Music Tribe).
Does Arbane Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Arbane Group.
What industry is Arbane Group in?
Arbane Group's product category is Professional Audio Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAD, Live Sound & Stage Equipment (PA Systems, Amplification, Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 334310 and its SIC code is 3651.