Yamaha powered mixer, two Yamaha passive 15" and horns (my partner got the JBL SRX 12"'s when he moved to Oregon, damnit!), one or two Mackie subs (depending on gig), two Mackie SRM150 monitors (for live gigs or loud duo).

Usually, solo or duo I put the PA a hair behind and to the sides, and just work off that, but if on a full stage with the PA out front, I'll break out the mini-monitors (still get some hefty blowback from the subs to fill them out).

I don't know if I CAN make it sound bad... I've never really been allowed to play it that loud. But I have used it a lot for full live band, and that puts WAY more stress on a PA than a compressed arranger. Handles it like a champ. I'm afraid I don't play enough muzak gigs that a tiny portable system would pay for itself fast enough. This is a vacation area, and people like to PAAAARTAY!

Once again, I reiterate, I HAVE used a Bose L1 system, Gary. I'm not speaking theoretically. That my experience of them varies from yours, I put down primarily to the likely volume difference between our gigs. ANY system can be pushed past its' design limits. Get MINE loud enough, it will also suffer! But the audience's ears will suffer WAY more pushing a small system too hard than a bigger one.