Bose L1..Again! Bigger Venue...NG

[Already In Use]

Cool input. Our trio is bent on this Bose thing. We are playing an outdoor show late in March and it's 2 to one to use the Bose. I offered my PA system, trucked...set up and tore down. No dice. I'll bring my own bass rig...my shooting range ear plugs and have a great time making music! I'm also bring a db meter to measure near us and further back.

In my experience the Bose unit is great for a single, duo trio act in a small cozy setting(single unit).

 

[Ras Thavis]

I currently play through an L-1 with the double bass speakers option.
It took me awhile at various gig situations and volume requirements to nail a sound I could live with. (it was too 'toy' sounding at first)
I then sweetened everything sound wise by incorporating a Boss Gt-10B.
Also when I link into the house p.a. It becomes a great monitor for my drummer and I. I usually (space permitting) set the bose up appx 8' off left behind my drummer and aim the bose to project through his kit yielding great results for us.
Again this process took some trial and error to 'milk' the sound I wanted from it.
I know some fellow bassist who hate it and others are intrigued but few ride the middle on this thing...
5 years of gigs and road life have helped me put this tower through the wringer and back with only cosmetic scratches to report.
I'll keep it for now even though I've been thinking of off loading it for a Carvin B-2000...

 

[seamonkey]

Carvin is in the market now.
Carvin subs looks to be better designs
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ras Thavis]

Carvin is in the market now.
Carvin subs looks to be better designs
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thank you (seamonkey)
Definite option with them!

 

[TimmyP]

I've mixed on a system comprised of a pair of L1MII a number of times.

Is setup quick and simple? Yes.

Can it sound good? Yes, but not without just as much fiddling as a good standard box (some of which sound MUCH better).

Does the sound change less with distance than "normal" speakers? No.

Is it better than a similarly priced "normal" system? It's not as good, let alone better. Especially if the musical genre "requires" a lot of kick.

At the price, I can't think of any reason to recommend it for any application.

 

[ggunn]

'
Does the sound change less with distance than "normal" speakers? No.

But it does. I have had one at my disposal for about eight years and I've played with it in a lot of different settings.

 

[experimental bassist]

Appreciate this thread, and opinions on both sides, even the ranting.

I used to play in a 5 piece country/roots/classic rock band that used the original Bose L1s.

I was skeptical, but quickly figured out when they were used in their niche they were good, and once we figured out their nuances they were REALLY good.

We got a LOT of compliments on our sound. Incidentally, I still used a combo for larger gigs (my Ampeg BA210), but practices and smaller gigs were just Bose (2 sub in the one I was using) and they did fine.

I'm now in a 5 piece Blues band, we have our own traditional PA.

More and more set-up/tear down time is becoming a regular complaint, particularly for smaller shows.

Also my youngest son is becoming quite the singer/songwriter in his own right.

Therefore I find myself taking a HARD look at getting back into a Bose L1 setup, mainly for me and my son putting together a small duo, but also to potentially incorporate into my regular band for smaller shows and the occasional acoustic gig.

Yep, the new ones are still pricey, but I can snag a used "classic" for under a grand, and since Bose came out with the B2 bass module, the original B1 bass modules can be had pretty cheap. Also I know several ways to incorporate my existing bass amp with just a plain L1 since I spent several years with the original system.

But yeah, regarding the OP, using the L1s improperly is indeed frustrating. Being stuck right in front of one cranking full tilt is no good!

 

[4StringDave]

All I know is - the world would be a much better place if more
live acts knew how to conjure a lower volume mix that works for the stage and the room.

Excessive volume is the cancer of live music. Most people out spending their money - don't want the volume the band is putting forth.

It starts with the drummer. And I'm allowed to throw the stone because I am a drummer. More drummers need to learn low volume technique. Too many bashers think they can only do what they do by bashing. It's nonsense. If they could lower it, that makes it possible for the rest of the band to lower it. Leading to the band epiphany - that hearing each other at a lower volume is Very Enjoyable and leads to the Best Music out of each player.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. [sound of angels singing]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Many musicians mistake volume for "drive", when in fact the band drives much better at medium volumes IMO. And, as SBassman correctly states, the MUSIC is far more enjoyable (emphasis on music rather than aural assault!)