I've been using the Bose L1 for a few years and I'm very happy with it. I like the sound, the portability and the look. No big complaints.

Over the last year or so, I've been diagnosed with a degenerative arthritic condition which effects my upper spine and neck areas. This isn't going to get better, only worse and slowly but surely the amount of ibuprophen, pain meds, etc. are ticking upwards. I don't take meds for it every day, but when I'm gigging a lot, which I am this year-even more than usual-the pain gets pretty bad.

Its been mentioned to me by my physician that anything I can do to lighten the strain on my back will have a real benefit to it.

I'm seriously considering switching from the Bose L1 rig to a double Bose Compact set-up.

I'm curious if those who are using this set-up can share their pros/cons? I know it will be lighter, I know I'll enjoy "some" stereo separation, I know for those smaller gigs where the L1 has been overkilll, a single compact may be highly effective.

My concerns are...(Some of which may be unfounded...)

1) A lack of low-end...
2) A lack of overall power/volume compared to the L1...
3) Resale appeal of the L1...

Thanks to anyone who weighs in...

There is certainly no lack of low end!
Two Compacts will easily handle 100 to 150 people.
I've gotten good value for all the Bose products I've resold.
Weight and ease of setup is wonderful.

Hi Bill. Have you considered just (2) powered monitors? Much less handling and lightweight. Then for your big gigs, you could add the sub.

You could do that but Compacts sound better, probably weigh less and already have subs!

Don- What do you think the quality/output from a single Compact would be? I've heard a Bose Compact once live by a keyboard guy with vocals in Cincy a few years ago and it was pretty bad. The vocals were dry as a bone, and it sounded like a big transistor radio. Obviously, with the Tonematch & TC Helicon Liverack, the vocals should sound fine. If I'm wanting to keep the power and volume from my current setup, am I probably looking at two compacts and not just one?

Jim- No, not really...can you be more specific as to what you mean?

Thanks!

don't listen to anybody here take your keyboard go to the store hook up both systems play them at performance volume and make a educated decision.

Wow, I think that was me!!!! Anyway, I didn't like the Bose Compact because of that reason. The Alto ($225 ea) are full and stereo. The 3x sounds plenty powerful. Not sung for 2 1/2 years, so I might sound thin in that dept, who knows.

Bill, I have no problems using a single Bose L1 Compact - the overall quality is superb, lots of bottom end, and I've used a single with audiences to 100 with plenty of headroom to spare. Keep in mind, though, the L1 Compact has no EQ/Tone controls for the main input - and just a 2-band EQ for the separate mic input. My audiences tell me that my vocals sound better than they have in decades, and I can only attribute that to the combination of my S950 vocal processor, the TC Helicon Harmony-M vocal processor and the Bose L1 Compact.

All of the EQ settings are done at the keyboard, which is also where my mic inputs as well after going through my TC Helicon Harmony-M. I've only done a handful of larger parties where I needed to use two compacts and believe me I could have blown the walls out of the place. The bottom end was so intense on some line-dance MP3s I played I was worried that it was too much. I fired up an MP3 of Moves Like Jager and the DJ in the next hall came in to see MY system - he was so impressed that he ordered a pair of compacts the next day, and called to thank me.

As for taking the keyboard to the store - NAH! I can't think of a worse scenario than a cluttered music store, especially a GC, which is the only place I know around here where you could audition one. The acoustics, noise, etc..., couldn't be worse. Fortunately, Bose, when buying direct, and most GCs has a no questions asked return policy, which will allow you to use the product in a live situation and make a valid evaluation under the right circumstances.

The last time I checked, you were using a Tyros2 and L1 Standard and single bass unit - I assume that's still the case. Overall, that's a pretty heavy rig to lug around every day of the week. If this is still the case, you may wish to talk with the folks at GC. They gave me a great deal, traded even up for my L1 Standard that I had used for 4 years, for a new L1 Compact. I sincerely believe you will love what you hear, but if not, you can always return the compact for a full refund, even after using it for a month.

If you're still lugging around that heavy, bulky T2, I would seriously consider switching to the PSR-S950, which I believe is pretty close to a T4 in many respects. It's very light, not at all bulky and easy on an old man's back parts.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon,

Gary

Music store is NOT a good environment for testing most things.
Compact has no effects, so you will e.q. and add effects from the keyboard or T1, or a mixer.
Be aware that the T1 is NOT stereo and very difficult to rig it around to use with two Compacts (or two L1s). I had great success with a small mixer, around $140., instead of the costly and limited T1.

Don-

Currently, I'm using a Tyros 2, with vocals running through a TC Helicon voicelive rack unit....all running into a Bose Tonematch which then runs to the large floor amp / stand unit of the Bose L1...

Will I be able to still use my Tonematch mixer?

How would I set all this up to run in stereo?

Thanks guys---good information/feedback...

That may be so .....most stores here have a sound room....
but at least you wont lay out the money only top find out it doesn't fit your needs and have to go thru returning etc etc .?

Everything will work find in stereo except the T1. I bought one to use with my two Compacts and gave up on it. There may be an elaborate work-around, but I couldn't figure it out. I find a small mixer, Behringer, Peavey, etc., with effects built in, in much more versatile and way less expensive than the T1.

Bill I agree with Gary on the L1 Compact. To avoid the dry vocals, run the mic thru the keyboard. It sounds great. One is all you would need in most NH setups. You could just use your second one on the larger gigs. Good luck.

Joe

There is no need to run mic through his keyboard when he has voicelive..Voice live has better processor than any of these keyboards for his vocal needs..

Mirza, that's true, but running toe outboard vocal processor through the keyboard's line-in allows full, proportional control of the overall volume without going to the mixer to make individual adjustments- that's the main advantage.

Gary

I understand Gary.For me that is one thing I like, individual control.Especially for vocal.
I always make sure I have a good mixer..

Bill, why didn't you call me? Gary has got it 110% right. I've heard you, and your sound is powerful, moreso than mine, I feel. Truthfully, one Compact would work for your NH jobs and an S950 is the best PSR I've owned.

But before you go spending money, how heavy is that L1? Two Compacts may split the load, but it increases your cabling and probably your setup/takedown time. If you really want to go stereo and stay light, try the HK Nano - I've heard it and it could work for you. Or, I'll let you borrow my BA-330 and you can try that. In fact, I'll let you borrow my Compact if you wanna give it a tryout with your mixer and stuff.

+1 Exactly Zuki...

Nano is working for me. I don't do anything more than 100 or so people.
I use two of them, but not necessary most of the time.
Set up is a little easier and quicker with the Bose Compacts though.

Bill...

After years of using the original L1 with a B1 sub, I added, what I thought would be a lighter alternative for smaller jobs: a Kustom system with two 9lb powered sats and a big subwoofer (turns out the sub was 45 lbs,...ugh) Sounded good but lacked the wide coverage of an line array. Also, the transport space needed, weight of the sub, carrying the necessary poles and plugging in all the additional wiring was awkward, became annoying, tiresome and time consuming.

I traded it and a little cash for the Bose Compact. WOW... what a difference. I still have the original L1 if needed but thinking of trading for a second Compact.

Like DonM and Gary, I run my vocals thru the KB most of the time using onboard FX...but on occasion may use a mixer for a little more added control of mic EQ and FX. I also carry a small powered speaker that can plug into the Compacts output jack in the event I feel the need for added oomph clarity or near field monitor...so far...haven't used it.

Gary still holds the record for set up time...but I'm in and up in 15... and out in 15...one trip with the Rock'nRoller and not even in its expanded position.

Comments from audiences: A+.

Lots of choices out there. For me the Compact has been the perfect solution.

Good Luck in your quest.

Eddie

UPDATE:

After considering all the comments on this thread and a nice long chat with two Bose Customer Service folks, I've decided that 2 Compacts are the way to go.

Now the question is how to best acquire them? And, what to do with my L1, model 1 and the Tonematch???

Getting the new Compacts is the easy part...

L1's look to be going for between $1400 & %1600 on Ebay, with or without the Tonematch mixer.

I spoke to Guitar Center about their buy your used gear program and it works something like this. They look up the price for sold/used identical units on their website. Then, they consider the last 3 sold units on Ebay. They then average all the prices together and typically offer 50-60% of that number. Which likely means my $2500 Bose l1, m1 + Tonematch gets handed over for $600-$800 bucks...

Hmmmm....

Thoughts?

If GC is taking 50 - 60% off the average price, why not try to sell the gear yourself on e-bay? ... is the ''hassle' (?) of selling on e-bay worth 50 - 60% ? ...

Bill,
like you I had a Bose L1 system and sold it after I bought my L1 compacts. It sold very fast and I did not have to take a beating on the price. Give Craigslist a try and put it on the forums. Mine was a single bass and no tone match setup. You might be surprised.

Deane

Ebay +1...BUT, some friendly advice,.. If I were you I'd really go listen to 2 compacts first with your Tyros & Vocals, to be really sure it's what you want to sound like on stage.....

Bill, GC traded me even up for my Bose L1 Compact. And my base unit case had some wear from being slid in and out of the van so many times.

Gary

Gary welcome back....

http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/388429/I_NEED_A_BREAK#Post388429

I just took a shot break, Donny. Sometimes I just gotta get away and do something else, even if it's wrong.

Gary

Whew!!!!
I'm glad your back we need ya here Mr.Wizard!!
Now let's get back to sharing songs and forget about who's got the best & worst gear...who cares what anyone uses as long as it sounds good right?

I'm sittin in the office working on a new song, at least new for me, one by George Strait called Adalida, a song about a cajun queen. Neat song, upbeat and I know everyone will love it. (I gotta get me a cowboy hat!)



Gary

Gary can't wait to hear it neat tune.....
should give your VH a good workout!