Bose L1 Model I

I bought this system in 2006 and am reviewing it here in late 2007. I had one system with two B1 units(subs for bass) and bought another identical system a year later. This system is designed for use by one musician/singer, but I have had an entire band through one system and it sounded great. Now with two systems it is even better.

I recommend two subs with the unit for running a full band, but it sounded great with one sub for keyboards and vocals. I used it without subs for a vocal only job and my high baritone voice never sounded better.

I currently used it in an Atlanta church for the entire PA system.

Bose doesn't give specs on their stuff, but it is about 750 watts. That means that I have yet to need more power in any venue. Four inputs plug directly into the base of the unit, two being XLR/quarter inch combo inputs and two other quarter inch inputs for a total of four inputs. A remote allows control over the volume and EQ of the two XLR inputs plus a master volume for all inputs.

The unit breaks apart for transport into light pieces not over 38 pounds. The tower column (7 feet tall) breaks in half, the base unit itself and the two subs take three trips to the car or one trip with a rock and roller cart.

This unit is designed to be placed behind the singer so you can hear what the audience hears. I expected feedback, but unless I had three or four mics (using a mixer into one input on the Bose) I had no problem. No effects (reverb) are available, so I used a mixer with reverb for a while, but I don't use reverb anymore as most auditoriums have enough natural reverb already.

I had trouble getting my digital piano (Kurzweil PC2X) to sound good until I messed with the presets on the unit. When I found the right preset the difference was dramatic. Vocals sounded great when using the preset that matched the microphone I was using. I never need to mess with the EQ on the remote very much at all.

I ran my Taylor acoustic guitar straight into it with great results. My electric guitar goes through a POD guitar amp simulator so that I eliminate the need for a heavy guitar amp. Also, guitar amps are very directional and the bose spreads sound out evenly. Sounds fat to me, but I am primarily a keyboardist. Bose recommends miking the amp, but don't face the amp to the people or have it too overpowering and you will be fine.

Audiences hear everything all the way in the back without blasting the front row out. There is no "hot spot" problem anywhere in the room. No distortion has ever plagued this system.

With my old system, I used to walk out into the crowd a little bit to hear what the mix sounded like. When I did that with this system, I realized that I didn't need to step even a foot off the stage, as the sound never changed. I have had people walk the room while the band played, and they reported very little change over the entire room (corners and back wall). Amazing.

It packs up in zipper bags and your female vocalist can help with every piece. It sets up and tears down in a flash. At just over two grand it is pricey, but remember that it replaces your mains and your monitor system and is more compact to boot.

Why did I give it a 9 instead of another 10? No reverb. For that you need an outboard mixer or Bose's own T1 module (mini mixer).

Also, their new model II is lighter, and thus deserves the 10 in this category.

I sold all my other PA gear. At my church, we didn't have to hire a great sound man. We run it ourselves from the stage. After all, we know what it is supposed to sound like, and now we can hear exactly what the audience hears.

I would buy it again if it were stolen. In fact, I am going to buy a spare or two when I get the money. I recommend it to solo performers, churches, bands, singers working with tracks, etc...

I wish it had reverb. I wish it had an output that combined all four inputs (for recording live). I wish the remote controlled all four inputs. I wish it were cheaper. But all of these issues have easy solutions (outboard mixers, outboard reverbs, Bose financing plans).

Check out the Bose website:

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_STATIC_PAGE_EVENT&url=/musicians/index.jsp