markdeejay75
Hi all, they had the Bose L1 in the local DJ shop and i must admit this tiny system filled the store with sound, and blew me away with its clarity..
But i wanna know if anyone has such a system? How do you use it?
Comments / Ideas please.
But i wanna know if anyone has such a system? How do you use it?
Comments / Ideas please.
Posted Mon 28 Sep 09 @ 2:03 pm
Charlie Wilson
My friend from Whitby has the L1 and it's not enough for DJ use, he's a singer a play to 60 people and it's fine. He does acoustic stuff
I've got some 802 MK3's and there good for 60 also in a small room, even when I had another pair of 802's and a pair of bins it was still weak compaired to other brands such as RCF, FBT ect
In fact I could use half the gear with other brands and acheive the same volume and beleive it or not it sounded better.
I've got some 802 MK3's and there good for 60 also in a small room, even when I had another pair of 802's and a pair of bins it was still weak compaired to other brands such as RCF, FBT ect
In fact I could use half the gear with other brands and acheive the same volume and beleive it or not it sounded better.
Posted Mon 28 Sep 09 @ 2:53 pm
markdeejay75
Are there any other Bose speakers that could easyly replace 2x15in Cerwin Vegas or similar.
probably for a room of 100 to 200 people?
One thing there wasnt in the DJ shop, thats the crowd of people who move around the room and feel they need to have loud conversations. lol
In the shop, it certainly sounded loud enough, at 50m away from the speakers.
probably for a room of 100 to 200 people?
One thing there wasnt in the DJ shop, thats the crowd of people who move around the room and feel they need to have loud conversations. lol
In the shop, it certainly sounded loud enough, at 50m away from the speakers.
Posted Mon 28 Sep 09 @ 3:57 pm
Rob Kalmar
No highs, no lows, it must be BOSE!
An old saying from my retail days. Bose are great for home use, but I would not recommend them for DJ-ing gigs.
An old saying from my retail days. Bose are great for home use, but I would not recommend them for DJ-ing gigs.
Posted Mon 28 Sep 09 @ 4:01 pm
karaokekev
i use all bose kit on the road and currently have 4x 802 mk2's, 4 802 mk3's and 4 302 subs depending on venue i use the following small pub/party 2x 802's , party of roughly 150 people 4x 802's and party's of 200+ 2x 302 subs and 2 or 4 802's on top.
the thing to note with 802 mk2 and 802 mk3 the speaker cones in mk3's are different and so give a different sound so it is vital you use the correct controller for the correct speakers (mk3's have a deeper bass than mk2's) coupled with a "decent amplifier" to run bose correctly you need at least a amp providing 450w p/c into 4ohm, also note 802's are rated at 240w per cab this is a american rating when i used to sell mk2's orginally i used to sell them with a citronic ppx 900 amp and it was safe to run the amp till the clip lights started to flash which was actually 3db below clip and pushing roughly 300w per side @ 8ohm (i run mine on a powersoft digital amp rated @ 700w p/c 4 ohm) and i get nothing but praise about my sound quality at every gig (and i've used nothing but bose in the last 12 years).
the bose controller also acts as a electronic crossover for bass/mid top seperation, i find the best controllers to use are either the 802c mk2 or digital controller mk1for 802 mk2's and the current digital panaray controller for mk3's.
another little tip if you buy 302 subs thses are quite cheap now, but with original drivers are only 400w and the drivers are not the best quality, i replaced mine with emminence delta LF rated @ 500w each making the subs 1000w per side these rock any party i take them to
the thing to note with 802 mk2 and 802 mk3 the speaker cones in mk3's are different and so give a different sound so it is vital you use the correct controller for the correct speakers (mk3's have a deeper bass than mk2's) coupled with a "decent amplifier" to run bose correctly you need at least a amp providing 450w p/c into 4ohm, also note 802's are rated at 240w per cab this is a american rating when i used to sell mk2's orginally i used to sell them with a citronic ppx 900 amp and it was safe to run the amp till the clip lights started to flash which was actually 3db below clip and pushing roughly 300w per side @ 8ohm (i run mine on a powersoft digital amp rated @ 700w p/c 4 ohm) and i get nothing but praise about my sound quality at every gig (and i've used nothing but bose in the last 12 years).
the bose controller also acts as a electronic crossover for bass/mid top seperation, i find the best controllers to use are either the 802c mk2 or digital controller mk1for 802 mk2's and the current digital panaray controller for mk3's.
another little tip if you buy 302 subs thses are quite cheap now, but with original drivers are only 400w and the drivers are not the best quality, i replaced mine with emminence delta LF rated @ 500w each making the subs 1000w per side these rock any party i take them to
Posted Mon 28 Sep 09 @ 7:37 pm
ewitles
I use BOSE exclusively for speaker system.
One basic L1 system w/ 2 B1s is all I use for 98% of all my functions.
It is not meant for teen dances or rave type events. But weddings and other social events. Also, it does a great job of taming difficult venues.
One basic L1 system w/ 2 B1s is all I use for 98% of all my functions.
It is not meant for teen dances or rave type events. But weddings and other social events. Also, it does a great job of taming difficult venues.
Posted Mon 28 Sep 09 @ 9:50 pm
Charlie Wilson
This is one of the controllers for the MK3's when I had it in one of my rigs
A MK3 from the front
From the Back
Connections
802 on a powerdriver stand
Personally I would not recommend Bose for DJ use unless you play at small venues; this comes from extensive tests with different combos. I even DJ somewhere now that has Bose and we want to change it to get a better club sound.
A MK3 from the front
From the Back
Connections
802 on a powerdriver stand
Personally I would not recommend Bose for DJ use unless you play at small venues; this comes from extensive tests with different combos. I even DJ somewhere now that has Bose and we want to change it to get a better club sound.
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 3:47 am
idj4u
I have a pair of Bose L1s and 4 of the B1 subs. I've done crowds of up to 300 with a pair and over 100 guests with just a single stick.
I do mostly weddings and corporates, although I've done a few high schools with the addition of 3rd party powered subs. Charlie can suggest they're "not for DJs", but there's an entire area dedicated to the DJs on the Bose forums that suggests otherwise.
If you're expecting a big thumpy chest pounding bass, you won't get it from the L1. That same big thumpy chest pounding bass that generates all the complaints of "the DJs too loud" from guests at events...
I do mostly weddings and corporates, although I've done a few high schools with the addition of 3rd party powered subs. Charlie can suggest they're "not for DJs", but there's an entire area dedicated to the DJs on the Bose forums that suggests otherwise.
If you're expecting a big thumpy chest pounding bass, you won't get it from the L1. That same big thumpy chest pounding bass that generates all the complaints of "the DJs too loud" from guests at events...
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 4:10 am
Charlie Wilson
Sometimes you need volume and depth though, when your in a big marquee or a farmers barn for example.
I ended up having the Bose for small stuff and other speakers for bigger stuff and then I thought stuff this and sold the Bose gear, I would like to see a powered pair of 802's that you don't need a 1u controller for. Remember the controllers 480 quid alone
I ended up having the Bose for small stuff and other speakers for bigger stuff and then I thought stuff this and sold the Bose gear, I would like to see a powered pair of 802's that you don't need a 1u controller for. Remember the controllers 480 quid alone
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 4:22 am
kradcliffe
I have tested the L1 against my Peavey rig and it's nowhere close.
We borrowed a large hotel ballroom and set up the Peavey rig (2 x 15" bass bins, 2 x 12" mid & top) running on independent CS1000x amps. The bose was sweet, but not nearly as loud and totally lacked presence. The bass is very weak indeed.
Our findings were that the L1 is great for small accoustic sets or very small functions, but no use at all for 90% of my mobile work.
The peavey gear may be big and heavy, but it's perfect for most functions including proms and weddings.
The 802 & 302 combo is fantastic, but the L1 is not for DJ use at all in my opinion. Far better sound at less cost out there.
Keith
We borrowed a large hotel ballroom and set up the Peavey rig (2 x 15" bass bins, 2 x 12" mid & top) running on independent CS1000x amps. The bose was sweet, but not nearly as loud and totally lacked presence. The bass is very weak indeed.
Our findings were that the L1 is great for small accoustic sets or very small functions, but no use at all for 90% of my mobile work.
The peavey gear may be big and heavy, but it's perfect for most functions including proms and weddings.
The 802 & 302 combo is fantastic, but the L1 is not for DJ use at all in my opinion. Far better sound at less cost out there.
Keith
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 6:40 am
ewitles
I was providing sound for outdoor venues (HS track field and large outdoor bandstand in a field).
It was there that a single L1/B1 really came through. Same venues before w/ standard speakers got very weak just beyond several yards, but the BOSE held up and bass was very decent.
In the case of marble high ceiling venues, standard systems create too much presence. The line array of the L1 is suited well for those applications.
Plus the very low footprint and wide dispersion enable me to setup in places the size of a broom closet yet still create dance floor volume.
It is not for everyone but for the events I do, it has become a trademark of sorts.
The single L1 Compact even finished an event for me and at dance floor volume.
Now, if I find a better solution would I drop the BOSE? You bet. But until then, I am happy. My back is happy. My clients are happy.
It was there that a single L1/B1 really came through. Same venues before w/ standard speakers got very weak just beyond several yards, but the BOSE held up and bass was very decent.
In the case of marble high ceiling venues, standard systems create too much presence. The line array of the L1 is suited well for those applications.
Plus the very low footprint and wide dispersion enable me to setup in places the size of a broom closet yet still create dance floor volume.
It is not for everyone but for the events I do, it has become a trademark of sorts.
The single L1 Compact even finished an event for me and at dance floor volume.
Now, if I find a better solution would I drop the BOSE? You bet. But until then, I am happy. My back is happy. My clients are happy.
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 7:17 am
karaokekev
it's true to say a lot of people run bose down but i've heard l1's on several occasion when i've been supporting tribute acts they run a backing track and vocal a lot through single l1 and got to say the spread of sound is fantastic they dont need to run at volume for it to fill the room with sound
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 5:41 pm
ewitles
djrobinhamilton wrote :
No highs, no lows, it must be BOSE!
An old saying from my retail days. Bose are great for home use, but I would not recommend them for DJ-ing gigs.
An old saying from my retail days. Bose are great for home use, but I would not recommend them for DJ-ing gigs.
Reason for this was simple.
BOSE did not make their systems a package deal. When you use their drivers, you MUST use either their controller EQ or have a DriveRackPA configured w/ the proper EQ curve.
That and you need a lot of horse power as BOSE drivers were not efficient b/c while they used 10/12/24 small drivers wired in series and parallel to get either 8 or 4 ohms.
The L1 based systems don't have that b/c it is built in.
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 9:10 pm
DJmga
The sound of any given setup will depend to some extent on the acoustics of any given venue. Some gear will sound fairly ok in a particular venue, but try it another venure and it will sound bad, and no amount of sound re-engineering will change the bottom line.
Bose does come in for a lot of criticism, but it's not not without foundation (IMHO).
While Bose kit may satisfy a particular market, it's not kit that that will suit everyone! Have you tried any A/B sound tests with it?
I did, and I can safely say, I wouldn't use it in any gig (no offence to those that can make it work for them!). But I've done some tests with it against a lot of other kit (in the same venues, so surrounding accoustics were a non-issue) and I firmly believe it just doesn't measure up!
If you're prepared to compensate sound for weight/size/convenience/whatever, then ok, Bose is probably going to win, and to be perferctly honest, 9 out of 10 punters out there probably don't give a rat's a$$ about sound quality (Note 1). But for those of us that do, then there are far better alternatives out there...
(Note 1: I've been to many gigs/functions/weddings/parties/whatever, where I've thought to myself, "this sound is awful"! But I never heard anyone at one of those gigs even utter a bad word about the sound and I assume they didn't even notice the quality of the sound! It went unnoticed! Is this just something in the minds [and ears] of audiophiles? Does it really matter if 90%+ of the punters don't notice???)
Bose does come in for a lot of criticism, but it's not not without foundation (IMHO).
While Bose kit may satisfy a particular market, it's not kit that that will suit everyone! Have you tried any A/B sound tests with it?
I did, and I can safely say, I wouldn't use it in any gig (no offence to those that can make it work for them!). But I've done some tests with it against a lot of other kit (in the same venues, so surrounding accoustics were a non-issue) and I firmly believe it just doesn't measure up!
If you're prepared to compensate sound for weight/size/convenience/whatever, then ok, Bose is probably going to win, and to be perferctly honest, 9 out of 10 punters out there probably don't give a rat's a$$ about sound quality (Note 1). But for those of us that do, then there are far better alternatives out there...
(Note 1: I've been to many gigs/functions/weddings/parties/whatever, where I've thought to myself, "this sound is awful"! But I never heard anyone at one of those gigs even utter a bad word about the sound and I assume they didn't even notice the quality of the sound! It went unnoticed! Is this just something in the minds [and ears] of audiophiles? Does it really matter if 90%+ of the punters don't notice???)
Posted Tue 29 Sep 09 @ 9:11 pm
Charlie Wilson
When you have a band or singer either playing live or doing some sort of acoustic thing then you get a lot more out of the speakers, play from mp3 and through a soundcard and it's totally different again.
I remember having some cheap Peaveys (Pro 15's) just bought them for a NYE gig once a year! And they sounded terrible and an old bloke picked up on it, the following day I plugged one of these into one channel and a Peavey Black Widow into another and used the master balance on the mixer and you wouldn't believe the difference.
However I was out a few months later and I let a band I played with use these cheap Peavey's going through my PA still but using there instruments as opposed to mp3 playback and they sounded ok.
I remember having some cheap Peaveys (Pro 15's) just bought them for a NYE gig once a year! And they sounded terrible and an old bloke picked up on it, the following day I plugged one of these into one channel and a Peavey Black Widow into another and used the master balance on the mixer and you wouldn't believe the difference.
However I was out a few months later and I let a band I played with use these cheap Peavey's going through my PA still but using there instruments as opposed to mp3 playback and they sounded ok.
Posted Wed 30 Sep 09 @ 5:07 am
Dazmax
Not a fan of Bose in general but they do seem to suit certain setups/situations.
the biggest issues with bose , that become more obvious as the venue size goes up, is that in order to try and reproduce a full range sound from very small cabs the drivers have to be fed a heavily EQed signal. The speakers in general are no where near as sensitive as larger units and so take more power to produce the same sound pressure as a more conventional system. This is not as big a problem now as it was. Amps chucking out 1000W plus are now no longer expensive. When the 802 came out anything over 150w was serious money.
As Scotty said You canna change the laws of phisics. A small speaker is still a small speaker.
There are some situations where the array of smaller speakers used in the Bose setups have a major advantage over most other conventional speakers and in difficult acoustic conditions the overal smooth sound they produce is a usefull asset.
I have always felt that BOSE systems in general are over priced and under spec but if it works for you good luck.
Just MHO.
Daz
the biggest issues with bose , that become more obvious as the venue size goes up, is that in order to try and reproduce a full range sound from very small cabs the drivers have to be fed a heavily EQed signal. The speakers in general are no where near as sensitive as larger units and so take more power to produce the same sound pressure as a more conventional system. This is not as big a problem now as it was. Amps chucking out 1000W plus are now no longer expensive. When the 802 came out anything over 150w was serious money.
As Scotty said You canna change the laws of phisics. A small speaker is still a small speaker.
There are some situations where the array of smaller speakers used in the Bose setups have a major advantage over most other conventional speakers and in difficult acoustic conditions the overal smooth sound they produce is a usefull asset.
I have always felt that BOSE systems in general are over priced and under spec but if it works for you good luck.
Just MHO.
Daz
Posted Wed 30 Sep 09 @ 11:36 am
ewitles
For several years, I carried gear in my punch bug (VW New Beetle). I was using JBL EON 1500s passive. No bass/subs.
Sounded decent, so I thought.
But I wanted more bass and big subs were just not gonna fit in the buggy.
I then brought a single L1/B1 system (1st wedding event with it) and put in the car along w/ my other gear. Setup the BOSE and was blown away. The JBLs just stayed in the car.
I had oodles more bass and presence compared to the two JBLs. That next month, I got a 2nd system and total of 4 bass bins.
All of that still fit into the bug and had room for the wifey (got pics to prove it).
Enough sound to satisfy a room full of 250 guests in a compact car is priceless.
So, that is how it got started. I still have all my passive gear - just in case needed.
Sounded decent, so I thought.
But I wanted more bass and big subs were just not gonna fit in the buggy.
I then brought a single L1/B1 system (1st wedding event with it) and put in the car along w/ my other gear. Setup the BOSE and was blown away. The JBLs just stayed in the car.
I had oodles more bass and presence compared to the two JBLs. That next month, I got a 2nd system and total of 4 bass bins.
All of that still fit into the bug and had room for the wifey (got pics to prove it).
Enough sound to satisfy a room full of 250 guests in a compact car is priceless.
So, that is how it got started. I still have all my passive gear - just in case needed.
Posted Wed 30 Sep 09 @ 11:50 am
djrenee
I've never thought a BOSE speaker was a serious contender in the arena of professional sound systems. From what I've seen after being "in da business" for a long time is there are two different mindsets when you are talking equipment.
(1) The goal is to condense ALL their equipment to a size that will fit into the average backpack. (Laptops included) This will finally make traveling to and from their gig VIA Moped a reality.
(2) They don't care how big the equipment if by BIG you mean GOOD. ( I'll be traveling in the truck/trailer feeling real good with my full grown JBL's. (Not Eons) onboard.
Ewitles, I mean no disrespect to you or any BOSE user when I say their number one selling item in the U.S. is the BOSE CLOCK RADIO. This CLOCK-ROCKS.
(1) The goal is to condense ALL their equipment to a size that will fit into the average backpack. (Laptops included) This will finally make traveling to and from their gig VIA Moped a reality.
(2) They don't care how big the equipment if by BIG you mean GOOD. ( I'll be traveling in the truck/trailer feeling real good with my full grown JBL's. (Not Eons) onboard.
Ewitles, I mean no disrespect to you or any BOSE user when I say their number one selling item in the U.S. is the BOSE CLOCK RADIO.
Posted Wed 30 Sep 09 @ 12:16 pm
Dazmax
With Rennie on this one. With professional loudspeakers, it is still one area where bigger is almost always better. Unles you own a moped of course. The moped might get you there but I would rather take the truck and make damn shure.
BTW if you have any of those XTI 4000's goin spare Charlie send me a PM cos ime just about to buy another pair. They are lush amps.
Daz
BTW if you have any of those XTI 4000's goin spare Charlie send me a PM cos ime just about to buy another pair. They are lush amps.
Daz
Posted Wed 30 Sep 09 @ 1:40 pm
frd1963
I have the L1 with a single B1. I originally bought 2 B1's but sold one because if I really want bass, no number of B1's is going to do it. Kept the one B1 for when I don't need deep bass.
The sound from the L1 is very nice and fills a room well as long as that room has walls and a ceiling that is not too high.
You can play 3 gigs in a row with an L1 and not get that ringing in your ears that you will get trying to fill the same rooms with conventional speakers.
For outdoors or wider venues, the sound just spreads too much and you don't get much distance. I have often entertained the idea of getting a second L1 so I can play in stereo, but can't justify the $$.
I have alternate sound systems for outdoors and larger venues (Peavey 1015s w/ PV1600 amps) as well as JBL EonG2's, but I do enjoy using the L1 when I can get away with it, usually pairing it with a QSC 18" powered sub, and feeding the L1 only the low-cut signal.
Purists hate Bose because they 'color' the sound, which is very true... you will never get flat response from Bose equipment, but who cares besides a recording engineer?
The sound from the L1 is very nice and fills a room well as long as that room has walls and a ceiling that is not too high.
You can play 3 gigs in a row with an L1 and not get that ringing in your ears that you will get trying to fill the same rooms with conventional speakers.
For outdoors or wider venues, the sound just spreads too much and you don't get much distance. I have often entertained the idea of getting a second L1 so I can play in stereo, but can't justify the $$.
I have alternate sound systems for outdoors and larger venues (Peavey 1015s w/ PV1600 amps) as well as JBL EonG2's, but I do enjoy using the L1 when I can get away with it, usually pairing it with a QSC 18" powered sub, and feeding the L1 only the low-cut signal.
Purists hate Bose because they 'color' the sound, which is very true... you will never get flat response from Bose equipment, but who cares besides a recording engineer?
Posted Wed 30 Sep 09 @ 5:13 pm
