Bose L1

[spinner 0]

I looked at a website earlier today on which it was stated that 1 x Bose L1 plus 2 x bass units is enough for 2-300 people.

 

Can a user comment please?

[Dukesy 0]

Not used in front of 200 people but have used one L1 with 2xB1s - absolutely perfect sound for around 60 in a room approx 30' square.

 

One thing I have noticed is the difference in the bass sound. Finding it weird compared to other speakers used before - no complaints to date from the audience but very weird!

Put it this way, the next gig for 300, I'll use the conventional system.

[Paul Smith 0]

If I was doing an event of that size I would use 2 - just so that I didn't have to run one flat out. It does also depend on the venue but better to have a bit in reserve

[EdBray 0]

I would think it would depend on the venue, but I can see them handling that.

 

The largest venue I have used 2 L1s and 4 B1s was in a large commercial marquee (annex to a hotel) half full with about 150 guests and I never got above 3/4 on the gain control or anywhere near 0db on the mixer.

 

As Dan said the Bass is different, not banging in your chest, but there. Hard to explain really. Are you not near someone with some to have a listen?

[spinner 0]

As Dan said the Bass is different, not banging in your chest, but there. Hard to explain really. Are you not near someone with some to have a listen?

 

I really don't know, but I was simply intrigued/surprised to read that 1 stick and a couple of bass units would be enough for 300 people.

 

 

 

[Gary 0]

Bose L1 systems...? I'd never buy one.

 

...I'm buying TWO !!! in time for the Christmas dinner dances, where the background music durations exceed the actual dancing music durations.

 

I'm going for the MK2/model 2 units due to the higher efficiency drivers and less "naked" surface electronics/connectors. The smaller, less pole-dancable powerbase is an advantage for me too.

 

Why two? Powered speakers are yet to earn my trust and I want to be able to fall back to Bose #2, if Bose #1 goes POP!. Unlike a powered speaker on tripod, the Bose electronics are the gravity side of a spilt pint... but the Bose are definitely the best solution for background music imo.

 

 

 

 

[EdBray 0]

I really don't know, but I was simply intrigued/surprised to read that 1 stick and a couple of bass units would be enough for 300 people.

Sorry, I misread the original post and thought you were asking if 2 L1s and 4 B1s could handle that!

 

Hmmm, not so sure about 1 L1 and 2 B1s handling a gig for 300 people, would depend on the venue and type of music being played (I would suggest that if you were on a stage and playing classical music to a seated audience maybe), but if it was in a disco enviroment and you were at the same level, doubtful?

 

I quite often use one L1 and two or four B1s if the venue dictates, and up to about 120 people with no problems at all (I always take the spare PS1 as well though, just in case).

 

Was the website where you read this talking about a disco enviroment? It has to be remembered that this system was designed initially for musicians and that a normal guitar combo might be in the 100-200watts rms range, where as the original L1/2 B1 combination is 750watts rms. So for a guitarist, one L1 and 2 B1s would easily handle a venue for upto 300 people and probably many more.

Edited October 18, 2007 by EdBray

[spinner 0]

Sorry, I misread the original post and thought you were asking if 2 L1s and 4 B1s could handle that!

 

Was the website where you read this talking about a disco enviroment? It has to be remembered that this system was designed initially for musicians and that a normal guitar combo might be in the 100-200watts rms range, where as the original L1/2 B1 combination is 750watts rms. So for a guitarist, one L1 and 2 B1s would easily handle a venue for upto 300 people and probably many more.

 

 

Yes it was a mobile DJ website.

 

Your comment about the L1/2 B1 sounds about right. I was thinking it would produce around 750.

 

For 100/120 people I use a 600 watt system - powered bass bin with powered mid/top outlets to 2 passive cabs.

[Dream Catchers 0]

Is this not another case of paying for a name?

The Bose may look smart and generate loads of interest but if you are paying the price of a L1 and 2 B1's surely you would expect a system that could belt out enough music for a room of more than 300.

I dont think that they are big enough to shift the right volume of air.

 

Jim,

[spinner 0]

Well, it's a different concept, the sound is like a big hi-fi, it looks completely different to anything else and often generates favourable comments on looks and sound quality. The looks alone make it particularly good for upmarket venues.

 

I would consider one if I needed a new system.

 

 

[bluejools 0]

I admit whatever size gig I am playing I take, and set up 2L1 and 4B1. I like the way it looks - symmetry it high on my list, something i picked up from my wife - and i dont have to drive them so hard. Plus the 4B1 make a nice storage shelf below my deck stand

 

I like the sound and the look - through I think the sound drops off quicker than my old carlsbro system - which goes against what other people say about it - could just be me. I have never had a complaint about lack of bass but i dont play those gigs that need it by the bucket.

 

 

Anyhew - to answer question - 1 pole for 300 not for me.

 

I have played 250 with two poles and been very happy with the results

[brianmole 0]

I looked at a website earlier today on which it was stated that 1 x Bose L1 plus 2 x bass units is enough for 2-300 people.

 

Can a user comment please?

Yes! I have done 2 big gigs with 2 x L1 and 4 x b1's: one was a corporate do for 300 guests, the sound was perfect, the other was another corporate do in a marquee for 350 - 400 guests. The sound was good too as I was on a stage, and the dancefloor had about 150 people on it.

 

I would never use one on its own for 2 reasons; 1) redundancy - good to have a spare up & running in case a channel/amp/whatever drops out, 2)stereo - despite musicians insisting that mono is all you need on a dancefloor, stereo gives a much better sound.

 

I imagine you would be pushing your luck to do more than 150 guests with a single L1.

 

 

 

Is this not another case of paying for a name?

The Bose may look smart and generate loads of interest but if you are paying the price of a L1 and 2 B1's surely you would expect a system that could belt out enough music for a room of more than 300.

I dont think that they are big enough to shift the right volume of air.

 

Jim,

Amazing how people who have not experienced the product still all seem to sing from the same hymn book :bull:

 

Another thing, Eskie & I teamed up for a really big gig for 600+ in a ballroom in London early this year, we had 4 x L1's and 8 x B1's, the sound was superb.....

[Dukesy 0]

I dont think that they are big enough to shift the right volume of air.

 

I'll expand on my previous post.

 

Same as Ed, I take the other Bose but have only recently started using one L1 + 2xB1s due to size of audience (up to around 60).

Have used both for around 100+ in a 90' room. For more 'bass punch', I added 2xB1s to one system but I might have been a little over zealous. It probably would have sounded OK with one B1.

Had already set up the Bose in symmetry due to the set-up of the rig and I think this is an important point for the way I present my show - I don't have to set-up as I used to which I'm beginning to experiment with.

After adjusting the volume and settings on each system, the sound quality at lower volume was absolutely amazing and yes, like a good 'hi-fi' sound.

When cranked up, that's when the bass sounded weird (to me). The mid to high frequencies sounded clear which is very noticeable compared to other speakers IMO, but from behind the Bose, the bass sounded 'muffled' which is the only way I can describe - yet at the back of the room everything ok! Because of the clever DSP gizmos in the system, I expect the source frequencies are being pushed so when you are in front of the system, it sounds awesome especially the further away you are from the speakers.

 

I've had comments on the sound quality of the system when used for Karaoke (not the quality of the karaoke singers) and total disbelief from a guy who couldn't believe I was using only one speaker during a recent function.

 

All great then. But on a function for 300 guests, I would still rather use the conventional speakers... unless I happened to win the lotto and purchased a bigger vehicle to carry the extra Bose required to reassure me! Doing the maths, I'd rather have 4 speakers than 2xL1s, 8xB1s and pack-lites, etc.

 

Being fair, the sound quality surpasses anything I've used before but I don't feel confident in using the Bose for larger (over 200) audiences. Up to 100, I'm more or less happy but for around 60+ in a cosy environment, faultless. smile icon

 

One of the biggest drawbacks I find with the Bose is not the sound quality but the height of the system when set-up.

Does anyone have a UK source where a lead can be purchased to split the L1s? Some of the venues I'm looking to cover have low ceilings. ;thumbdown:

 

Is this not another case of paying for a name?

No. I don't think so in this case. Have a listen and judge for yourself.

If you don't like, don't buy!

 

 

[Dream Catchers 0]

I am not knocking Bose, I think everything they make is of exceptional quality.

I have no doubt that if I had the finances available and was in the market for corporate functions then I would get some, but I stand by my comments about them being more for image.

I also expect that those of you that have bought and used them did so partly so you could harp on about having "the best". :hide:

 

If you own a Rolls Royce isn't that just a status symbol?

 

Jim

[spinner 0]

I am not knocking Bose, I think everything they make is of exceptional quality.

 

If you own a Rolls Royce isn't that just a status symbol?

 

Jim

 

Well, it's much more roomy than an average car.

 

[Dream Catchers 0]

Well, it's much more roomy than an average car.

Not as much room as a transit though :bouncy:

 

Jim

[Dukesy 0]

I am not knocking Bose, I think everything they make is of exceptional quality.

I have no doubt that if I had the finances available and was in the market for corporate functions then I would get some, but I stand by my comments about them being more for image.

I also expect that those of you that have bought and used them did so partly so you could harp on about having "the best". :hide:

 

If you own a Rolls Royce isn't that just a status symbol?

 

Jim

 

If I just wanted to splash out thousands on any product just for image and status then I would have married an A list celeb and sponged! tongue out icon

I personally take pride in the service I offer as an un-compromised full-time business! I focus on a particular client area, charge accordingly and re-invest in my service to maintain the reputation as a quality service which is specialist.

Sure, a Roller is just a car but is it like all other cars or is it different in some way? Sure, a mixer is just a mixer but is there a difference between the models of mixer and how it performs?

At the end of the day, the owners of any product are in a knowledgable position to judge what they hold true to their belief. It's their intellectual right. tongue out icon

[Paul Smith 0]

I stand by my comments about them being more for image.

 

Anyone who purchased a sound system for name & image before sound quality would be making a serious mistake so if you are right then a lot of us have made that mistake.

I also expect that those of you that have bought and used them did so partly so you could harp on about having "the best". :hide:

It's certainly 'the best' solution for ceremonies, background music during a wedding breakfast and for wedding receptions where they want great sounding music - that's why I have them.

 

However regardless of what we humble DJs think it's the clients & guests opinions that matter more.

 

 

 

 

[bluejools 0]

I dont think i have ever bought anything to be the best - I cant afford it.

 

I listened on here for ages before i went to hear the bose.

 

When i heard them i liked them alot.

 

Now - i also liked my old speakers alot - they were paid for - in near mint condition and sounded good. But were so heavy!

 

My choice was also partly governed by the fact it breaks into small manageable pieces (after back op), requires few interconnects, and does look nice. The two poles and four bass take up no less space in the car than the old lot - but there are more ways to stack them in - i dont have to drop my seat in the estate anymore

 

 

[Dream Catchers 0]

Anyone who purchased a sound system for name & image before sound quality would be making a serious mistake

I have acknowledged that the sound quality is second to none, obviously you wouldn't pay that ammount of money for anything else.

What I am saying is that there is certainly a factor of paying for image and name.

 

Jim

[Thats entertainment 0]

I have used my 1 L1 & 1 B1 for gigs up too about 150people and no problems

If there was around the 200people mark then in my opinon you need to add more speakers

when i have done gigs which needs loads of bass such as a 18th birthday party then i have used more

When i bought mine i didnt buy because of the badge name, just the fact that i liked the sound and portable quailty of the unit

[EdBray 0]

I only bought mine so I could join Richard's gang :hide:

[Jimbo55 0]

From my experiences with up to 120 people, in most environments 1 L1 x 2B1 will be ample with 150 tops in a normal family party, mixed age type booking with stage being used. The largest indoor even I have done with was a large wedding with around 400 guests with about 100 to 150 on the floor average. It was a huge venue with 35' to 40' high ceilings and alcoves. I have done similar sized events there with a 'conventional' system and had problems with echo. I had no such issues with the L1 system.

 

I have completed Marquee gigs up to 350 guests with no issues.

 

I have completed outdoor events with in excess of 600 plus with no issues. The Bose L1 system excels with live music and vocals.

 

I still have yet to feel compromised using the system. Only using 1 L1 and 2B1 however would concern me if I did not have back up with another L1 system.

 

I still retain conventional systems and they are due for replacement in 2008, guess what they are being replaced with? L1 systems.

 

The noise at work act looms ever closer. Limiters will exist in abundance. The act will bite us all soon. The Bose L1 system is NOT the Holy Grail. It is NOT the best sound system possible. It is however, a different way to project high quality sound. Like most systems it has a job to do and in the right hands it does the job remarkably well.

 

The next time I do a gig with 200 to 300 or so I will switch one side out and see (listen) to the difference.

 

In the large venue I originally quoted above. The band played drums, lead guitar and two vocal mics through one L1 and 2B1's. It did the job very well with the band quoting to me. "We have never sounded so good" As with most live music it was loud, active and infectious with many dancing to it.

 

Venues love the system. Singers love the system. If you do not like the system ..fair enough by me.. I do not like certain things either. But usually, I try to make my own judgements by trying it for myself. I cannot make personal judgements about things I have neither done, tried or experienced. I learnt a long time ago that sometimes we can be pleasantly surprised about things I had prejudged.

 

Jimbo

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

First of all a pair of Bose L1s with 4 B1s is all most DJs would ever need for a 6m square dance floor at a wedding or middle of the road type gig... be it 30 people or 300 people you will only ever be covering the dance floor and the rest of the room then gets a good level of back gorund music ...

 

however change that function from a wedding into a 21th birthday party with requests for new rave and drum and bass and you might start to find the limmitation of the bose system...

 

the sound as we all know is top notch, hi fi , plesent to listen to with all kinds of music at reasonable levels..

 

it just lacks somthing in the bass end when it comes to pushing high levels of club music to a busy dance floor..

 

So a pair of Bose L1s are a great investment for a DJ you cant realy go wrong with them.. costly but worth every penny...

 

I might even get some my self for Xmas 2008 season to use as a second setup with star cloth booth if the price ever comes down a little..

 

But I still would never swap my large Speakers and Amps for a Bose rig.. SPL is king

Edited October 19, 2007 by DJ Marky Marc

[Kingy 0]

I auditioned, didn't like and therefore didn't buy.