Bose L1 Portable
Although pricey, I wonder if this would be good for a portable PA option. The setup I have is so cumbersome, a setup like this (if it performs just as good or better) would be worth the price difference.
Anyone with any experience? Kind of sounds too good to be true.
I haven’t heard the bose ones, but quite a few of the stands at BPM had similar systems and they’re remarkably powerful for how compact they look.
I know a few guys who use them, great sound, enough for weddings or small mobile gigs. They don’t have the same presence that a big speaker would, so not ideal for club style music or high volumes.
I’ve used the Bose L1 with two bass bins at over 50 weddings when I started, and there were just a handful where I felt that it wasn’t enough.
But don’t expect too much bass out of them. I never really like using just one speaker, though… The unsymmetrical look and the lack of stereo seperation left me personally unsatisfied. If I were to get them myself, I would get two… but that’s going to run you nearly $5K
To this day, it’s the setup that got me the most compliments… Despite the fact that it’s OK sounding at best. People see the name “Bose” and automatically tune their heads to “This sounds great!” mode.
I have one L1 compact, and is very powerful, but a few limit on low frequency.The L1 compact is a little brother of bose l1,s series.The setup is quick and easy, and the technology as bose develop (Bose® Spatial Dispersion™ loudspeaker technology delivers sound evenly across the stage and throughout the audience—even to the extreme sides) not limit the propagation of sound.Effectively for club music you not have enough bass, but with a cross-over from rolls, you can use the b1 subwoofer who by nature is incompatible for the L1 compact. For me I have only one and I expect to buy another one.All my audience are very happy for the quality and powerful of this material. If you want more power with good bass go for the L1 model II with 2 B1.
im confused on how you connect to it. I only see one analog trs input. I guess an adapter would work, or just run mono.
Sounds like crap. About as satisfying as sucking a tit through a bra.
Have you ever tried the new B2? I was reading on their forum that it even outperforms two B1’s.
The l1,s series is a portable system stereo. The spatial dispersion loudspeaker technology gives an angle of 180 degrees.
Bose request is to use 1 l1. Dual Mono - Bose Portable PA Encyclopedia but with correct installation you can use 2 L1.
To connect one L1 you can use a split adapter 2 trs —> 1 trs or 2 rca —> 2 rca.
I never tried the new B2, but effectively is a combinaison of 2 B2
If size and looks matter the L1’s + Extra Sub(s) are bloody amazing’
I dont think anyone creates speakers with the juice Bose can manage in such a small box… they do NOT sound like a regular PA speaker, more like a really loud hi-fi …
IMHO if the gig is big enough to warrant more sound, hire some extra speakers in as fills 
My 2 cents.
Eh these are ok if you are playing acoustic guitar or something to a very small audience but these can not cut it for real PA duties and are absurdly priced.
If you want a compact setup a QSC Ksub and two K8s or K10s would run you roughly the same amount and sound a hell of a lot better, be portable, and give you real low end and stereo imaging- and much better quality. It actually looks like a Ksub and two K8s and stands is actually cheaper- and that’s a really portable setup with respectable sound made with quality components. K10 or K12 would be better and they are still light and portable.
Had a misfortune of listening to a live band using these at last new year celebration. Worst sound system ever.
So a setup like this:
http://www.proaudiostar.com/pair-of-qsc-k8-qsc-ksub-free-stand-cable.html
Would probably be a better bet?
My current setup is a B-52 Matrix 1000 v2 but it’s so f’n cumbersome to lug around for one guy. So I’m looking for a slightly more portable setup (hence looking at the bose) that could be used for 300 people and under max.
I use a pretty simple Traktor S2 setup so nothing terribly complicated on that end.
^Absolutely. That whole setup will fit on a hand truck.
When you get some more cash you can also add a Ksub and do the tops over subs setup… Very sharp looking rig.
Absolutely and would blow the b52 and l1 away sound wise. Personally I would go for K10s but the K8s are surprisingly powerful for their size if that is a big concern.
budget: B-52 Matrix-1000 V2 700W Active 3-Piece Speaker System | Musician's Friend
pro: QSC K10 / KSub Powered Speaker Package | Musician's Friend
retard: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/bose-l1-model-ii-portable-line-array-system/h79835
that subwoofer from PROaudiostar states “B Stock”. That means it could be a showroom test model or a rental piece. It is not “NEW”
Not usually, proaudiostar regularly lists new items as “b-stock” to get around manufacturer agreements for Minimum Advertised Price. It also would never be a “rental piece”, at most the package has been opened.
If you call them up they will sell you a new item for that price usually and even if you buy b-stock online they usually send brand new sealed stuff. I’ve bought thousands of dollars worth of b-stock items from them over the past several years and it has all been brand new sealed packages.
Ditto on Proaudiostar. They are straight shooters all the way.
good to know.