Lab Gruppen
Lab Gruppen is a Swedish professional-audio brand best known for high-power amplification and loudspeaker-management systems.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Lab Gruppen, styled by the company as Lab.Gruppen, is a Swedish professional-audio equipment brand headquartered in Kungsbacka. Its principal specialization is power amplification for touring sound, installed public-address systems, commercial audio, and other demanding sound-reinforcement applications. The brand is particularly associated with high-output, energy-efficient amplifiers and with products that combine amplification, loudspeaker processing, monitoring, and network control. The company was established in 1979 by Kenneth Andersson and Dan Bävholm, whose interest in electronics began when they were schoolboys. Before formal incorporation, they built a hand-made mixing console that was used for a concert by Eartha Kitt, and they experimented with mixers, guitar amplifiers, and other audio equipment. The founders initially operated from a local hi-fi store, servicing consumer electronics to support their intermittent manufacturing work. The first professional power amplifier produced in that setting became the foundation for the company's subsequent focus. Lab Gruppen developed a reputation through successive amplifier platforms. The early LAB range was later expanded and technically revised into the fP family. These designs were adapted to meet European electromagnetic-compatibility requirements and United States UL safety standards, helping the company enter additional markets. Greater commonality of internal components also supported more efficient manufacturing and competitive pricing. The company's engineering direction increasingly emphasized compact high power, efficient power supplies, multi-channel configurations, and reliable operation under touring and installation conditions. Ownership changed during a period of expansion. In July 2000 Lab Gruppen was acquired by the United Kingdom's TGI Group. Tomas Lilja became managing director several months later. TGI was acquired by Denmark's TC Group in early 2002, while the founders continued with the company after the transactions. Lab Gruppen moved to a new facility on Faktorvägen in 2004. In 2015, Lab Gruppen and the other TC Group brands were acquired by Music Group, now known as Music Tribe. A major product-development program begun in 1998 produced the C Series, an installation-oriented platform incorporating four bridgeable amplifier channels and an integrated monitoring and control network. The first products based on the platform shipped in 2005. The FP+ range followed in 2006, and the PLM Series appeared in 2007. PLM combined Lab Gruppen amplification with Lake loudspeaker processing and networked control, bringing crossover, equalization, delay, limiting, and system management into a powered loudspeaker-management platform. Lab Gruppen obtained exclusive rights to the Lake brand and Lake processing for professional touring and fixed-installation applications in 2009. The brand broadened its energy-efficiency and installation portfolio with the E Series in 2011 and LUCIA models in 2013. The E Series was described as the first amplifier range above 200 watts per channel to receive Energy Star approval when launched. In 2014, Lab Gruppen introduced the D Series for networked installation audio and PLM+, a successor to the original PLM line. Later additions included the CA Series, introduced in 2019 for commercial applications. The portfolio has included FP+, IPD, IPX, D, C, E, LUCIA, PLM+, and related system-control products. In 2022, Lab Gruppen announced that it would stop manufacturing in Sweden and instead use Music Tribe production facilities in Thailand, China, and Malaysia. This marked a significant change in the brand's manufacturing structure, while Lab Gruppen remained an active Music Tribe brand serving professional sound-reinforcement and installation markets.
History
Lab Gruppen's origins lie in the partnership of Swedish electronics enthusiasts Kenneth Andersson and Dan Bävholm. The two founders met as schoolboys and began building audio equipment before the company was formally established. Their early work included a hand-built mixing console used at a concert by Eartha Kitt, followed by mixers, guitar heads, and guitar combos. The pair continued manufacturing intermittently while earning income by servicing consumer electronics in a local hi-fi store. It was there that they developed their first professional power amplifier, establishing the product direction that would define the company. Founded in 1979, Lab Gruppen gradually moved from small-scale experimentation toward specialized professional sound reinforcement. Its early LAB amplifiers evolved into the fP platform. The fP designs incorporated revisions intended to satisfy stricter European electromagnetic-compatibility requirements, while compliance with UL safety standards supported sales in the United States. Engineers also standardized components across models to improve manufacturing efficiency and maintain competitive prices as the company entered new markets. During the late 1990s, the founders introduced new ownership and management as the business expanded. TGI Group of the United Kingdom acquired Lab Gruppen in July 2000, and Tomas Lilja was selected as managing director later that year. TGI was acquired by Denmark's TC Group in early 2002. Andersson and Bävholm stayed with the business after the ownership changes. In 2004, Lab Gruppen moved to a new facility at Faktorvägen in Kungsbacka. The company had approximately 130 employees in 2007, according to the cited historical account. A substantial engineering program began in 1998 to create a new amplifier platform. The planned system used four bridgeable amplifier channels and an integrated monitoring and control network. Its power-supply and output-stage technology drew on the established fP range but was redesigned to reduce component count and improve the overall platform. The resulting C Series was aimed at the installation market, with the first amplifiers shipping in summer 2005. Lab Gruppen then released the FP+ range in 2006 and the PLM Series in 2007. PLM represented an important convergence of amplification and loudspeaker processing. It was the first Lab Gruppen platform to combine amplification with Lake processing, providing functions such as crossover, delay, equalization, limiting, Dante audio networking, and networked control through Lake Controller. Market acceptance of the system led to Lab Gruppen acquiring exclusive rights to the Lake brand and Lake processing for professional touring and fixed-installation use in 2009. The company subsequently broadened its portfolio beyond large touring amplifiers. The E Series launched in 2011 and became notable for Energy Star approval at power levels above 200 watts per channel. LUCIA models added Energy Star-qualified products in 2013. In 2014, the D Series brought network-audio capabilities to installation amplifiers, while PLM+ succeeded the original PLM family. Lab Gruppen introduced the CA Series for commercial applications in 2019. In 2015, Music Group acquired Lab Gruppen and the other TC Group brands. The brand consequently became part of the Music Tribe group of brands. In 2022, Lab Gruppen announced that manufacturing would cease in Sweden and move to production facilities in Thailand, China, and Malaysia. The announcement changed the location of manufacturing but did not indicate that the brand itself had become defunct. Lab Gruppen remains associated with professional amplification, loudspeaker management, and audio-system control.
- 2022
Swedish manufacturing scheduled to end
[1]Lab Gruppen announced that production would rely on Music Tribe facilities in Thailand, China, and Malaysia rather than manufacturing in Sweden.
- 2019
CA Series introduced
[1]Lab Gruppen introduced the CA Series for commercial audio applications.
- 2015
Acquired by Music Group
[1]Music Group acquired Lab Gruppen and the other brands of TC Group.
- 2014
D Series and PLM+ introduced
[1]The company launched the D Series for networked installation audio and PLM+ as a successor to the original PLM family.
- 2013
LUCIA models added
[1]Lab Gruppen expanded its Energy Star-related portfolio with LUCIA models.
- 2011
E Series launched
[1]The E Series became Lab Gruppen's first amplifier range above 200 watts per channel to receive Energy Star approval at launch.
- 2009
Exclusive Lake rights acquired
[1]Lab Gruppen acquired exclusive rights to the Lake brand and Lake processing for professional touring and fixed-installation applications.
- 2007
PLM Series introduced
[1]The PLM Series introduced integrated Lab Gruppen amplification and Lake loudspeaker processing.
- 2006
FP+ Series launched
[1]Lab Gruppen expanded its amplifier portfolio with the FP+ Series.
- 2005
C Series begins shipping
[1]The first amplifiers based on the installation-oriented C Series platform shipped during the summer.
Products and positioning
Engineering-led professional audio focused on high-power, efficient, networkable amplification and integrated loudspeaker management for touring, fixed installation, commercial, and public-address environments.
Powered loudspeaker-management systems · 2014
PLM+ Series
The PLM+ family combines high-power amplification with loudspeaker processing and system-management functions. Its architecture is intended for professional touring and fixed-installation work, integrating functions such as crossover, equalization, delay, limiting, monitoring, and networked control. Models include PLM 20K44, PLM 12K44, PLM 8K44, and PLM 5K44.
Touring power amplifiers · 2006
FP+ Series
The FP+ range is designed for high-output sound reinforcement and includes two- and four-channel configurations. Models such as FP+ 14.000, FP+ 10.000Q, and FP+ 7000 provide substantial output across multiple load impedances and can be bridged for higher-power applications.
Installation power amplifiers · 2005
C Series
The C Series originated from Lab Gruppen's integrated installation-amplifier platform. It uses multi-channel, bridgeable designs and monitoring or control capabilities suited to permanent sound systems. The range includes C 88:4, C 68:4, C 48:4, C 28:4, C 16:4, and C models with network-oriented variants.
Networked installation amplifiers · 2014
D Series
The D Series is an installation amplifier family with audio-over-network capabilities, intended for distributed professional sound systems. It extends Lab Gruppen's emphasis on centralized control and integration beyond conventional analog amplifier deployment.
Energy-efficient installation amplifiers · 2011
E Series
The E Series is a compact installation-oriented amplifier family covering two- and four-channel models. It supports conventional low-impedance applications and 70-volt distributed systems. The line was notable for Energy Star approval and was developed for efficient operation in commercial and installed-audio environments.
Compact installation amplifiers · 2013
LUCIA Series
LUCIA models extend Lab Gruppen's compact, energy-conscious installation offering. They are aimed at smaller commercial and professional systems where straightforward amplification, low power consumption, and integration with distributed audio environments are important.
Intelligent power amplifiers
IPD Series
The IPD family is part of Lab Gruppen's digitally controlled amplifier portfolio. It is associated with flexible channel configurations, integrated processing, and system-oriented control for professional sound-reinforcement applications.
Commercial amplifiers · 2019
CA Series
Introduced in 2019, the CA Series was designed for commercial applications. It broadens Lab Gruppen's reach beyond large touring systems into business, venue, hospitality, and other installed-audio environments requiring dependable multi-channel amplification.
Loudspeaker processing and control
Lake processing and Lake Controller
Lake processing provides loudspeaker-management functions including crossover, equalization, delay, limiting, and system alignment. Lake Controller supplies networked control, and the technology became closely associated with Lab Gruppen's PLM powered loudspeaker-management systems.
Brand decisions
2022
Manufacturing relocationStrategyBackground
Lab Gruppen had historically been associated with Swedish manufacturing and remained headquartered in Kungsbacka.
Action taken
The company announced that it would cease manufacturing in Sweden and use Music Tribe production facilities in Thailand, China, and Malaysia.
Aftermath
The decision changed the brand's manufacturing footprint while leaving Lab Gruppen active as a professional-audio brand within Music Tribe.
2015
Acquisition by Music GroupM&ABackground
Lab Gruppen was one of the brands operating within TC Group.
Action taken
Music Group acquired Lab Gruppen together with the other TC Group brands.
Aftermath
Lab Gruppen became part of the corporate portfolio later known as Music Tribe.
2002
Transition into TC GroupM&ABackground
TGI Group, Lab Gruppen's owner, became part of TC Group of Denmark.
Action taken
TC Group acquired TGI Group in early 2002, bringing Lab Gruppen into the Danish audio group.
Aftermath
Lab Gruppen continued product development and relocated to Faktorvägen in 2004.
2000
Sale to TGI GroupM&ABackground
Lab Gruppen was expanding beyond its Swedish base and entered a period of ownership change during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Action taken
TGI Group of the United Kingdom acquired Lab Gruppen in July 2000, after which Tomas Lilja became managing director.
Aftermath
The acquisition preceded TGI's acquisition by TC Group in 2002; the founders remained with Lab Gruppen after the ownership transition.
Recent events
- 2022
Lab Gruppen manufacturing to move out of Sweden[1]
Other
Lab Gruppen announced that it would cease manufacturing in Sweden and rely on Music Tribe production facilities in Thailand, China, and Malaysia.
- 2019
Lab Gruppen introduces the CA Series[1]
Product launch
The company introduced the CA Series as an amplifier family designed for commercial audio applications.
- 2015
Lab Gruppen and TC Group brands acquired by Music Group[1]
M&A
Music Group acquired Lab Gruppen and the other brands belonging to TC Group, bringing the Swedish amplifier brand into the group that later became Music Tribe.
Sources1 sources
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