Bose l1 system advice.

[jc light and sound]

Hi all,

Im thinking of buying a bose l1 system anyone used/have one who could tell me there honest opinion.
I am going on Monday for a demo but up to now never heard this system your comments please.

[discomobiledj]

I think Deltic has one.

[Shaun]

I heard a demo a few weeks back in a live situation. It belonged to a Ceilidh band, and they let me hook my system into it to try it out. They only had the one L1, and 2 of the bass units and it sounded sweet, and louder than I expected. I found the tone and clarity to be exceptional. If you want deep rumbling bass then this isn't the system for you.

I'd have loved to try it with two L1's and 4 of the bass units.

[A1DL]

I have heard the L1 and it is a crisp, clean sound, if kept at sensible levels.
It strains a bit on the LF and mid if you cane it.
But why can't I find how loud it plays anywhere in the Bose literature? Not even in the tech section of the online owner's manual.

[Dj Diddy Davies]

I have the L1 model 2 and 2 x B1's with a T1 (Bose love letters for names!).
I bought mine last year and have used it at a number of events. I listened to both the model 1 and model 2 and found the model 2 to be far superior in sound.

I've used my set up for all sorts of discos in your average sized village halls and had no problems at all. I've even played a 14 year olds party with all hip hop and R&B and had great comments. No real problem with Bass, though it isn't trouser flapping.

I used to use 2 x Mackie 450's and a DB 15 sub. At Christmas i started a set of bookings at a conference centre (250 seater) with my conventional system (worried i wouldn't have enough sound) but changed to the Bose set up for some of the gigs and found it to be better. The sound was better distributed for during the meal without higher volumes, people commented on how nice it sounded (never had that before Bose) and the venue loved it because it fitted well with their sophisticated image and it was quick to pack away.

One thing you find is instruments in some recordings just sound amazing, like the sax in Baker St. I just love playing that song and get loads of comments regarding the sound.

I've never had the Bose even close to running flat out.

Mine all lives in a set of rolling flight cases which keeps it all nice.

Yes it's expensive, but i think it was worth it.

Have a look at the Bose forum, theres a bit on there specifically for DJ's and although it's mainly stateside, theres some great advice.

Steve.

[deltic]

i have 2 L1's and 4B1's,i have to agree with diddy expensive but worth it.

[jeff wood]

I hate it with a passion :)

[Penfold42]

Sounds good....looks bloody awful...IMO.

[Shaun]

Sounds good....looks bloody awful...IMO.

I love the look. I think it has an air of elegance about it.

[Penfold42]

I love the look. I think it has an air of elegance about it.

Each view is different. :)

[A1DL]

I love the look. I think it has an air of elephants about it.


I agree, Shaun. Like a long trunk... ;)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I have heard the L1 and it is a crisp, clean sound, if kept at sensible levels.
It strains a bit on the LF and mid if you cane it.
But why can't I find how loud it plays anywhere in the Bose literature? Not even in the tech section of the online owner's manual.

I remember speaking to them at bpm last year and they did seem very keen to steer the convesation away from the spec. They didnt even have demo music playing even after i asked if they could do so.

[Shaun]

I agree, Shaun. Like a long trunk... ;)

<groan> :d

[jc light and sound]

Thanks for your reply's guys in essence it looks like most users like the system all be it it may lack bottom end,im looking to purchase it for nice sophisticated weddings where the traditional speaker stacks just look a bit in your face.
I am also considering a hk system which i know a lot of you on here rave about .
Will have the demo tomorrow and take the decision from there.

[CRAZY K]

Thanks for your reply's guys in essence it looks like most users like the system all be it it may lack bottom end,im looking to purchase it for nice sophisticated weddings where the traditional speaker stacks just look a bit in your face.
I am also considering a hk system which i know a lot of you on here rave about .
Will have the demo tomorrow and take the decision from there.

I suppose it all depends whether the majority of your work is presenting "in your face" shows or something more laid back, sophisitcated is not a word I would use.

Some of us are hired to do that at Weddings from time to time:D :D :D

Have worked on Bose and sounds nice--bass end a bit low unless you buy loads of the bass boxes--horses for courses;)

CRAZY K

[deltic]

Thanks for your reply's guys in essence it looks like most users like the system all be it it may lack bottom end,im looking to purchase it for nice sophisticated weddings where the traditional speaker stacks just look a bit in your face.
I am also considering a hk system which i know a lot of you on here rave about .
Will have the demo tomorrow and take the decision from there.

you really need to hear the system to understand how it works,yes there is no earth shattering base, but the base complements the system very nicely.

[Corabar Steve]

yes there is no earth shattering base,.
I'm sure if you hit the earth hard enough with the base it would shatter, that base looks pretty hefty.

I would worry more about the lack of bass myself.:sj:

[A1DL]

Have worked on Bose and sounds nice--bass end a bit low unless you buy loads of the bass boxes--horses for courses;)

CRAZY K

In fairness to Bose, Alan is dead right in what he says, and this principle of course applies to all systems from all manufacturers.

If you are playing middle of the road music at a family party, a ratio of 1:1 subs to mid tops is usually adequate. If it is a small party and you have decent full range cabs, you may even omit the subs. If you are reinforcing a band, you'll almost certainly want to double up on the subs and if you've got a DJ, on playing bass-heavy dance genres, then a ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 is certainly not uncommon (remember many mid tops play louder than their LF relatives)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I love the look. I think it has an air of elegance about it.

Me too.

I've heard it on several occasions and still can't make up my mind.

[jc light and sound]

Thanks all for reply's interesting collection of opinions,when i said in your face i was referring to the physical presence, one of my systems i use is Sherman Audio tops and subbs the subs are large with twin 15 inch drivers i bi amp them with the the tops and yes they sound really nice but they are BIG.
Im looking at the Bose system really for hotels nice small/medium marques together with my deckstand pro booth appropiate lighting i think that would really look classy.
Of course i have yet to hear it until tomorrow and will then have my own opinion of the sound but this forums great for honest advice especially the guys who have heard it or have one many thanks.
Will report my opinion on the sound tomorrow i went to buy a Nexo ps 10 system a few months ago and after hearing it decided it wasn't for me despite everybody telling me it was brilliant but there's another story.

[Happy Jack]

But why can't I find how loud it plays anywhere in the Bose literature? Not even in the tech section of the online owner's manual.
One of the SP boys went off on one. I think you might appreciate this.

http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3976055944/m/690102474/p/1

So much guff in that thread it made me cry. This stood out from Ken, a Bose R&D man no less...

'Again, please use the links in my previous reply to see the specs that are given to the "engine designers" as opposed to the "car buyers"...'

40hz - 12khz @ 115db, peak @ 1m? Sounds like a Lamborghini Gallardo, fluffy dice on the mirror, built around a tiny 'magical' 2 stroke engine. Does the business like no other up to 30mph.

Bose also say about their specs that :

'Most of the specifications that are used to describe sound systems can be very misleading.

They pretend that relatively complex physical or perceptual properties can be condensed to a single number (or a small set of numbers) that determines somehow the quality of a product.

...

While some specifications add value in comparing two products that are otherwise very similar, they are mostly meaningless for a product that is fundamentally different or new, such as the L1™ Model II system.'


:o