We have been using the Bose compact system successfully for our smaller venues. We will have a few gigs coming up this year that are in a larger venue...music halls and church sanctuaries. We tried the Compact system in one of these larger venues last time and got the feedback that we were hard to hear. We play to seniors.

I understand the issue with voices and stereo(two compacts). But we primarily use the keyboard for styles...some voices.

I've got a Bose L1 Model II on the way from Sweetwater. I'm not sure whether or not to keep it. I'm guessing that for 50% of our venues, the Compacts will work. However, for the larger church sanctuaries, I already know the compacts are too small.

Thoughts? Years ago, when Bose first came out, we bought the original L1...worked great...even in some smaller venues. I like the flexibility of the model II but am not sure it's worth keeping.

Thanks for anything you might have to offer.

Wow, that was a powerful demo!

The Bose L1 Compact does it for me. And for bigger jobs, I have 2. And at this point in my life, I don't want any bigger jobs than the 2 Compaacts can handle. I get the big sound and clarity that I so live for as well as ease of setup. Bose really likes my voice. It always comes out so clear. And I always hear a good thumping bass line. I look forward to going out with it everyday. The Bose along with the S 950, life doesn't get much better.

Joe

I totally agree with Joe! Back when I was using the original L1 system, I was absolutely awestruck as to the size of the venue it easily handled, and the superb quality of the sound. Over the past 55 years I've worked with various sound systems, and I've owned loads of different systems, nothing comes remotely close to what Bose offers.

Good luck,

Gary

I have to third Joe's and Gary's remarks. When I started doing OMB gigs I tried a number of smaller amp settings, but the Bose is clear winner for me. I bought a Roland BA-330, thinking it might be a good replacement. I don't think I've used it more than twice, once in tandem with the Compact for a larger hall. I also have kept an EV 12" powered sub, just in case; haven't touched it in years.

The Bose Compact is exceptional. The size and weight are ideal, especially for how big it sounds. It complements my s950 very nicely.

Another Bose fan here...

A single compact is handling 95% of all my gigs, including some dances with 75-125 pp.

I have a 2nd compact for large venues, but frankly, I could probably live without it.

Joe summed it up very nicely...

I use my original L1 for large outdoor venues with great results, but these events are quite rare nowadays.I bought the Bose compact when it first came out and it handles all of my gigs I normally play.

That video demo sounds superb.
My gigging days are over now or I would be buying that system tomorrow.

What's the name of the beautiful piece of music which is playing?
Tony

Last night, I played a restaurant/bar venue, which is separated by a long wall with an open, sliding 8-foot door. There is a relatively wide window between the two rooms, so I can see, at least partially, the folks in the bar while playing in the restaurant side of the venue. Using a single Bose L1 Compact, I kept the dance floor packed in the restaurant, a room that measures approximately 80 X 20 feet. While performing Unchained Melody, the last song I did for the evening, I happened to notice that there were a half-dozen couples in the bar, dancing. When I finished, two people from the bar side of the venue came in and put money in my tip box, and told me they loved the music. I love those kind of complements - especially from relatively young ladies.

I'm just wondering if a pair of Bose Compacts would suffice for the church jobs. Having never played a church venue, I have no experience with the acoustic problems involved, but I can only imagine the sound must bounce around like a ping-pong ball from those hard surfaces.

Good Luck,

Gary

Another reason & I have a few, I didn't like using the Both Bose systems I had is that I perform at many big venues with 300-400 people many times "without a stage" so I'm setup at ground level,.... the shortness of Both Bose poles isn't "high enough" versus my powered speakers being on high Poles to cover the back of the room as the sound gets LOST within the absorption of the crowds. I use to get many complaints that people in the back couldn't hear as well. lets face it the Bose is a very expensive sound system in mono & double the expense in stereo or even more with extra subs, ......some people like it, ....and some don't, no big deal, it's not a "cure all" for every musicians needs, versus so many other great PA Systems on the market.
Don't use the hype....use your ears!

Funny, I never got that complaint with the Bose L1, even with huge audiences of nearly 1,000 drunken tuna and marlin anglers in a big top tent. The only time I ever got that complaint was when I was using a conventional sound system because of the falloff. When I was using a conventional system, the folks close to the speakers were subjected to ear bleed volumes in order for the people in the back of the room to hear at a reasonable level. That was I had a pair of Barbetta Sona 32SC's on poles. Had the same problem, plus distortion, using the Peavey 600XF powered stereo mixer with a pair of SP5G's on poles. I still have a Barbetta sitting in the music storeroom just in case someone wants to borrow a PA system because their broke down.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary we can argue till the cows come home you will never convince me to ever use a bose system on stage again ever.

I'm glad of that, Donny - I don't want you to sound as good as me.

See ya soon,

Gary

I've been using the Bose L1 system since it became available. Like Gary, I used a plethora of sound systems over the years and like the Bose sound best. I traded the now “Classic” system for the Model 1. I have not considered the Model 2 because I like using the remote not available with the new Model. As was mentioned above, the Compact is adequate for 95% of my gigs. For large or outdoor venues I use the Model 1 with up to 2 B1 speakers. With that set up, I have filled football field size venues with clear sound. I’ll be using the big L1 system this Sunday for the St. Anthony Italian Festival in Wilmington, De. If I were sure that 2 Compacts would cover the larger and outdoor venues, I would certainly go that route … (be nice if you could daisy a B1 to a Compact)
Ciao,
Jerry

Lots of good thoughts here. We do have two compacts and that has worked so far.

I'm pretty sure I'll send the L1 Model II shipment back to Sweetwater..

Seems though now I'm hearing I'll end up paying shipping both ways...pushing $180. Expensive lesson learned.

I just did a concert at Hiss United Methodist Church on March 22nd and for this one I only used 1 Bose Compact. There were about 125 people there and if filled the church beautifully. This is an old church with a very high ceiling and the coverage was excellent. On 2 previous concerts there I use both Bose units but I was amazed at what I got using just one. Again, if I could point to just one thing, that would be clarity. The sound is so crisp and precise and it never sounds like too much amplification.

Joe

Earlier this spring I was pleased to see that I could rent a new Bose system for $69 a month. I thought for that amount I could afford to give the Compact system a long look and find out what everyone was talking about. Towards the end of the month I had to perform for a big seniors birthday celebration with about 150 people. The venue was a church sanctuary with high ceilings. I was concerned about the Bose's ability to cover the large space. When I was packing up a woman who had been sitting right in the back came up and told me that she had really enjoyed my original song. That told me that my new Bose system was carrying the room. That was enough to convince me to make the purchase. I've never regretted it as I get the best sound I've ever heard with the system just over my shoulder or to the side.
Expensive but great quality!

God Bless,
Don

Thanks for all the insights and comments. I sent the L1 Model II back to Sweetwater. It's going to cost me shipping both ways; close to $180 but better that than buy a $2,500 system I may not need.

Live and learn.

Bose PAS = Personal Audio System....I believe it was never intended to be used as a full force PA system but rather a "personal close up monitoring system" to be used by EACH player in a band situation etc,...but somehow it was misconstrued and made to think by some as a Full Blown PA system & here lies the problem for me when I hear it used.........
Those are my thoughts and I am sticking to it.

I really am neutral on this subject as I use one or two Podium 10s depending on the gig and if I am doing an outdoor gig like a church or corporate picnic in an open field I can borrow other powered speakers if I need to - but that doesn't happen often ...

It would be interesting if Donny took his 'everyday' PA system to the JAM and we could do a side by side with Gary's BOSE ...

And Donny, I am not debating this issue with you because as I said I am neutral, but even if PAS = Personal Audio System - (I think it could also mean PORTABLE Audio System, PUBLIC ADDRESS System, etc.) , that doesn't necessarily mean that it is to be used as a 'monitoring' system ... and I agree that in a band situation, more than one BOSE system would be needed, but that is the case anyway, as a guitar player has an amp, the bass player has an amp, the KB player, etc. etc. ... I strongly doubt that BOSE intended to have an entire band plug into one system ... what is being discussed here is what type of PA system a OMB needs to perform and THAT is absolutely subjective ...
As long as you and your audience are happy with what you use, and Gary and his audience are happy with what he uses, then you are BOTH right ...

I think everyone has made their opinions clear on this matter. DNJ and a couple more don't like Bose. The vast majority of people who have tried them love them.
I'm using Nanos now and I like them a lot for what little I'm doing these days, but I love the Bose gear, both large and small. Had a chance to sell at a great price after almost nightly use for 5 or 6 years so I don't have any now. Well I do have a Compact left in the garage (I had three. Don't ask why 'cause I don't remember.) If the need arises I'll pick up another Compact some time.
If you want to hear what you REALLY sound like, try the Bose. It will not disguise your voice or sound, rather it will enhance it.

I think Donny should bring his PA system with him when he comes down on July 20th - it would life a bit easier on this old man.

Cheers,

Gary

To be honest here in this discussion....personally I have owned and performed with the original Bose PAS L1 & the Bose Compact and I have voiced my opinion many times.
Now they have the L1 Model I & L1 Model II which are designed differently then the Original PAS regarding line array speaker placement & larger sub, etc,... I have never played thru these newer models and as always I'm open to someday trying them also as I always have an open mind to change if its warranted. Anything that can make me sound a little bit better and keep me happy performing I'm will to give a chance to.
As for the Compact that will never be a choice for me unless some major change is made to suit the sound I need.
I am very happy with what I'm using the Yamaha DXR line of speakers is outstanding in every respect I can't complain.

Gary, I'll have my Bose Compact with me at the jam.

Joe

Thanks Joe, I appreciate that. I'll have a pair of them here, and a Barbetta Sona 32SC, plus the mixer Donny is bringing. We should have all the bases covered pretty good.

Gary

Gary correction that Mixer was sold last week I emailed you about it ?

If we need a mixer I have one I can take ... in fact, I'll have another one for Gary to repair ...

Sorry Donny, I never got the email - no problem, though. Tony, I'll be more than happy to fix it for you.

Gary

I knew that...