The Bose PAS Preview

[ChrisPointon 0]

Taken from the PAS operating manual

 

QUOTE

6. Adjust the Trim control so that the SIG/OL indicator goes from unlit to green, and finally to occasionally blinking red. Make sure that your instrument is at the highest volume setting that you are planing to use.

 

QUOTE

Signal/OL ..................................Indicates signal presence (green) or signal overload (red).

 

QUOTE

Make sure the red clip light is not constantly on. If it is, lower the trim.

 

So it would seem that the RED led does tend to indicate signal overload (OL), but that occasionally blinking red is recommended as part of the set up procedure but in turn should be regarded as the maximum operating threshold for that given input.

 

Comprehensive reviews from American owners can also be found Here

[Award Entertainment 0]

Thanks Jimbo- you saved me a lengthy discourse and instruction on the application of the PAS. It's not like any PA system I've ever used before and setting it up requires a little more thought the first few times than my previous powered speakers, which were plug & play. The Bose PAS allows a lot more customisation.

 

The event in question was a charitable youth event which I've done at a discounted rate for two years now. Around 100 teenagers in a good-sized room a decent distance from houses meant that I had the ideal opportunity to plug in my PAS and a borrowed one to give the system a really good workout.

 

As Jimbo mentioned above, red doesn't mean peak and clipping as it might on another system- I really gave it a good cranking and the sound was clean, tight and punchy. The crowd LOVED it and so did I. I tend not to use the remotes, typically using channels 3 & 4 for input instead of 1 & 2.

[Dukesy 0]

Richard, not sure if you can answer this, but approximately how many PAS PA would you ideally recommend for a 800+ capacity conference room (fashion show), a marque that will hold up to 200 guests, and a venue (function room) up to 200 guests with no stage area.

 

(In the past I've used 4 x EV 300s in a marquee. In the conference room I've used 4 x RCF (500W) customs with no probs - running ok.)

 

Cheers.

Edited May 4, 2006 by discodirect

[Award Entertainment 0]

If you did fine with 4 EV300's (I'm assuming that they're roughly equivilant to a Mackie SRM450), a pair of PAS double-sub packages would be plenty I would expect. You didn't mention the style of music, desired volume, room shape or anticipated crowd numbers so this is a shot in the dark.

 

I'd suggest the same for the marquee. I've found that a single L1 with a pair of B1 subs is a good replacement for a pair of SRM450s on tripods. The spread of sound should be superior to the conventional cabinets, dependent of course on placement.

[pareshj 0]

Hi all,

As we're on the BOSE review, I'd like to add my views on my gig last week with the BOSE. I tried my first gig out with the PAS and I really wanted to try it with just one stick and 2 b1s but as time was pretty limited I had to rig up two.

 

I do like them but still not 100% convinced. I don't know if it was the room acoustics or the way that I set it up but I was really hoping to be blown away with just one. The bass was good near me but I was worried that it was so low that you actually couldn't hear it in the crowd and might have been too low, I didn't get the bass thumping that I was hoping for.

 

My roadie said that it sounded better given a stereo representation after rigging the two up which hurt as the point of spending a lot of money was having something way cool in just one package. I'm going to try again this weekend and will rig up 2 but only connect 1 to see what happens and then the other one later. The other area that I was also impressed was absolutely no feedback from the mic even when the mic was right up against the speaker. I've had an occasion before where the speeches generated so much squealing that I had to keep asking the best man just before his speech to move away from the system. With teh PAS, I don't have that at all which I like.

 

However, this was my first time rigging it all up and due to time, I didn't really have much time to play with the settings so I'm still trialing them and hope the next venues acoustics might help.

 

On the other hand, it was the first time that I got comments though for my speakers and I was impressed!

 

Firstly the photographer said that he was surprised that we're using "high fidelity speakers for the event" (which was a wedding) and that he'd never seen the ones that we used. He liked them and us. Subsequently he took a picture of the first dance and you can see the BOSE pas used in the background (Gordon & Alodias wedding scroll down and you will see the orange lighting we used. picture from Wedding on this page - Captureit Photographers. He also added some comments about DJSPACEBAR that made me happy too!

 

Secondly I had a guest come up to me midway of the gig and started looking under our DJ coluum (trunk) to see where the speakers were and he could not find them. It felt good that he couldn't find them! The 4x Bass modules were actually situated behind a screen so no one could see them at all. I must admit that I too was expecting a lot more bass, it was like running at a frquency that was too low. I was running on channels 1 and 2 with preset 57 selected. I didn't try straight line in channels 3 or 4.

 

you can see what it looked like here:

 

During the Wedding Breakfast

 

Just before the first dance

 

During the Party

 

The Mess and cleanup afterwards

 

I do like them, As you can see in the images, the BOSE maintains the clean look that I was looking for!

[YourBigEvent 0]

Dan beat me to it, what about conferences and speeches etc.

 

I know the Bose 802's were great for speeches, but not s o good for the disco that followed.

[Dukesy 0]

QUOTE

If you did fine with 4 EV300's (I'm assuming that they're roughly equivilant to a Mackie SRM450), a pair of PAS double-sub packages would be plenty I would expect.

 

Thanks

 

QUOTE

You didn't mention the style of music, desired volume, room shape or anticipated crowd numbers so this is a shot in the dark.

 

Anticipated crowds both at full capacity 180 - 200, simple square shaped room with the disco set-up at one end. Music range right across the board for all types of functions, Wedding, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 65th, fashion shows, product launch after party, etc, not rave but will expect dance music requests (90s onwards)

 

QUOTE

I'd suggest the same for the marquee. I've found that a single L1 with a pair of B1 subs is a good replacement for a pair of SRM450s on tripods.

Cheers.

 

If the single L1 packed up during a function, can the B1 subs be used to carry on?

 

QUOTE

The spread of sound should be superior to the conventional cabinets, dependent of course on placement.

The set up will be at one end of the function room, however, the conference room is quite long!

 

Cheers.

[Award Entertainment 0]

I must admit to being baffled by the constant flow of questions like "what happens if it packs up". This product has been on the market since 2003 and is used by (probably) thousands of musicians and DJs around the world. Reliability hasn't been questioned anywhere.

 

The same questions aren't asked about other powered speaker systems, so why would you be concerned about the Bose? They've got an outstanding record for reliability in commercial sound. Why wouldn't people ask about the reliability of Peavey, Crown, QSC or any other sorts of amps?

 

Short answer, if you are concerned about ANY of your gear from a contingency angle, you should carry backup. A backup powered speaker, a backup laptop, a generator...

[Eskie 0]

It does seem puzzling why some people seem almost desperate to find different ways of finding faults with this system http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wacko.gif Very strange http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/huh.gif

[Dukesy 0]

Calm down Richard!

 

Morning Eskie - Thanks for the call last night! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

I can't speak for anyone else who have asked you direct technical questions, but I only asked a couple of simple questions of which you have kindly answered?! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif

 

I don't think they were that technical either as I am not that technical!

 

As a PAS user and obviously someone with a lot of experience (PAS MAN http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif ) I have looked to you for advice as like others on this forum and I have stated previously elsewhere I may be considering purchasing this PAS system! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

 

I do carry spare amps as a matter of good practice and have had experience of weird and wonderful faults over the years with various items of equipment. Why should I consider the PAS to be any different? It is relatively new and I only heard about it when you mentioned it way back when.

I was told years ago that the Pioneer CD systems were the Donkeys testicles but Pioneer are not perfect, neither are Denon.

Both are well respected makers of DJ products and home entertainment products. They can, and sometimes do break down!

I'm on my second QSC by the way!

 

I'd rather ask your good self (who is in the same line of work as me) who has a hell of a lot of experience with the PAS!!!!!!

 

SO....I'll ask politely again but I'll phrase it differently!

If the single L1 was damaged by me (or a punter) during a function, can the B1 subs be used to carry on?

Perhaps I should have added "or do they just provide bass or will they only work with the L1?"

 

Cheers

Edited May 4, 2006 by discodirect

[NiM 0]

I dont think it's a case of finding faults or attacking the holy PAS.. Valid question IMO, the PAS is something different to what most people normally use - if you been using the seperate amp + speakers combo for a while, you know what do when something goes wrong, and any bit of equipment can go wrong even if it does have a bose badge on it..

Edited May 4, 2006 by NiM

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

I dont think it's a case of finding faults or attacking the holy PAS.. Valid question IMO

 

Agreed.

 

It doesn't have to be poor workmanship which kills a device, it can be human error, clumsiness, a lightening strike down the mains (common in rural areas of the UK), the contents of a shaken bottle of champagne, or a boisterous 5 year old colliding with it whilst sliding across a dancefloor.

 

Having the PAS on your equipment (or home contents) insurance, and still carrying some form of back up would be common sense in our industry, just like any other audio equipment.

 

BMW may have a good reputation for reliability but you'll still need a breakdown recovery organisation if something runs into it!.

 

Out of interest, can anybody tell me how long the Bose PAS warranty is?. The manual just refers me to the dealer.

[brianmole 0]

QUOTE (NiM @ May 4 2006, 11:47 AM)

I dont think it's a case of finding faults or attacking the holy PAS.. Valid question IMO, the PAS is something different to what most people normally use - if you been using the seperate amp + speakers combo for a while, you know what do when something goes wrong, and any bit of equipment can go wrong even if it does have a bose badge on it..

I agree, that's one of the reasons why I like to have 2 units. A single point of failure on the single PAS could be power, built in mixer, or even one of the internal amps taking out fuses etc... as well as the base breaking physically or even one of the molex connectors in the base or the L1's breaking.

[Dukesy 0]

I can see the advantages of these speakers.

 

I also gig a couple of venues where you are only allowed to set-up on the stage.

Would like to take a small, condensed set-up (which would be great) but the ceiling is quite low. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/014.gif

 

I suppose I could lay the PAS speakers down but I guess that would affect the sound quality, yes? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif

 

Can the speakers operate un-assembled instead of erect?

 

BTW- Anyone a little over 6' would be banging their head! I presume the PAS is over 6'? Please tell me I'm wrong?!

Edited May 4, 2006 by discodirect

[Jimbo55 0]

The L1 will not operate without being plugged into the PS1. As for limited height. Bose say that you can tilt the whole unit slightly a few degrees. I would not like to lie the L1+PS1 on its side. Although if a proper support frame was made it might be possible. The sound would almost certainly suffer as the Highs and mids would be projected low into the audience.

 

Jimbo

[ChrisPointon 0]

I'm guessing that a lot of the technology behind the sound of the PAS is going to be largely down to the (possibly patented) technology (DSP?) within the base! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif as well as the overall speaker design.

 

Given that there are ports for software / firmware upgrades suggests that there is a lot more to the active stage than an amplifier and PSU in there!.

 

Whilst the MA12 may be a cheaper and reasonable sounding alternative, It will obviously lack whatever technology the PAS has at amplification stage. How much of an influence this has......... well only Cliff Hendricksen will know!.

[Gary 0]

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ May 4 2006, 12:32 PM)

Whilst the MA12 may be a cheaper and reasonable sounding alternative, It will obviously lack whatever technology the PAS has at amplification stage. How much of an influence this has......... well only Cliff Hendricksen will know!.

Thats what the (also mobile-friend) System controller probably does.

 

The specs for that unit state that its got numbered programs for different musicians and musical applications.

[RichardP 0]

Sure, the alternative of the MA12 has been covered on an older topic, though it's still an interesting proposition.

 

That is, I agree that the idea of the MA12 separates w/Panaray controller does sound like a possibly preferable alternative to the PAS setup (especially for those of us who have already invested in decent digital amps & backup kit) and likely more flexible in terms of mounting options.

 

Does anyone happen to know if a like-for-like auditioning has been done between equivalent setups, e.g.

 

[PAS PS1+L1+B1]

vs

[<any amp>+Panaray+MA12+B1])

 

(I seem to remember someone saying on the older topic that a MA12 setup was nowhere near as good as the PAS, though don't recall them being specific about the comparitive configurations.)

[ChrisPointon 0]

Here is some useful Bio information on Cliff Hendrickson - the designer behind the Bose PAs System. according to the article he also designed the Bose MA12's too, which may suggest that Gary could have provided the glimmerings of an idea!. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Now, how to compare, and what to use to power the MA12's in order to compare http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

[Gary 0]

QUOTE (RichardP @ May 4 2006, 01:11 PM)

Does anyone happen to know if a like-for-like auditioning has been done between equivalent setups, e.g. [PAS PS1+L1+B1] vs [+Panaray+MA12+B1]) (I seem to remember someone saying on the older topic that a MA12 setup was nowhere near as good as the PAS, though don't recall them being specific about the comparitive configurations.)

Richard stated that he'd auditioned a pair (stereo) of MA12s but they were without the system controller.

 

I was due to be going to Cunnings in/of London to audition the MA12's with a system controller, but usually I'll only venture into London once I've stacked up several tasks that really warrant it - then do them all in one go - however nothing else that important has lured me to "tha smark, (init)"

 

Here's what they were offering:

 

QUOTE

Bose MA12 White  £440 each (in stock) Bose WBP-MA12 Wall Mount Bracket £55 each Bose MB4 Black  £380 each (in stock) Panaray Controller  £430 The items in stock are taken from our demonstration stock. All these items are in A1 condition, fully boxed etc. We are happy to offer a 10% discount against these specific items. Cunnings Recording Associates Brodrick Hall Brodrick Road London SW17 7DY T: 0870 90 66 44 0 F: 020 8767 8525 E: info@cunnings.co.uk W: www.cunnings.co.uk

[Jimbo55 0]

A lot of the answers questions about the bose can be found on the Bose Web Site FAQ section.

 

Refering to the use when if an L1 is damaged

 

The PS1 is infact three seperate amps and I have read that if you use them to power other speakers they recommend that the L1 is not 'plugged In' However I am not sure if this refers to when running 6 B1 bass cabs or when using ' Full range cabs' I will read and get back to you.

 

Jimbo

[Award Entertainment 0]

QUOTE (discodirect @ May 4 2006, 11:41 PM)

Calm down Richard!

I assure you, I am and was totally calm and relaxed, but baffled. It wasn't a dig at anyone incidentally, just an observation that a number of critics of the PAS keep asking strange reliability questions. Here are some summary comments relating to the above posts:

• I did audition the MA12 with the Bose controller when I first heard the PAS. It sounded awful and the only conclusion that I could reach was that it wasn't hooked up correctly somehow. It wasn't right certainly.
• I've just done an experiment. If music is playing and you remove the top half of the L1, the bottom half and the B1 continue on seamlessly. Remove the bottom half of the L1 also and the B1 subs continue alone. Plug them back in and they start up again with no break in the music. Very clever. I didn't know they did that!
• The height issue is an odd one. I've just measured my PAS (which is set up in the lounge much to my wife's delight!) and it's just under 7ft tall.

[brianmole 0]

no

[FDDJ 0]

Questions, questions, questions...

 

If all the poles stopped working would our building and service industries collapse?

 

If I had a mole on a pole and put it in a hole which had been full of coal and then plugged in the B1 base units would I still get the same sound dispersion?

 

Are B52's larger than the B1's?

 

As the cylinder is a radiator can I put it in my bathroom and hang towels on it?

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/huh.gif

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wallbash.gif

[Eskie 0]

At last, some sensible issues being raised http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif