Bose F1

Anyone have any real world experience with this system? I know it's heavy compared to the Compact but I'm curious.

http://youtu.be/oLgPnwb2CvA

https://www.bose.com/prc.jsp?url=/promotions/entry_pages/f1/index_en.jsp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keUtck_F7es

Bose F1 system

For the most part, few if anyone on this forum performs for audiences of 1,000 ppl or more, which is what this system was designed to handle. If I were still doing big, outdoor jobs, such as park concerts and marina parties, where I had audiences of 1,200 or more at times, I would seriously entertain this system, and the price tag would not be a deterrent. For the vast majority of the forum members, the Bose L1 Compact is more than sufficient, however, some may prefer a bit larger system such as the Bose L1 PAS or Model II, both of which can easily handle audiences of 500 or more.

All the best,

Gary

Trivia: Bose had to quit using the term PAS, because someone else had it registered. I don't recall the details.

I would love to have a couple of those F1s, play an outdoors party and crank it UP!! Just to hear the sound.
I once played an awards ceremony at an auto race track with two L1s and two subs. I could just about drown out the cars!

I've used an L1 Model 1 with 2 B1's for large outdoor festivals for well over 500 people on several occasions. I had a compact behind me, on stage as a monitor and the L1 B1's in front of the stage. It adequately filled a football sized field with clear sound ... I got advice from folks on the Bose forum about placement etc. to get max sound clarity.
Ciao,
Jerry

I'm always looking but haven't found anything I like better than the Compact. However, I'm always curious about PA's especially if one could take the place of two Compacts.

Probably one Nano 600 could. You could still do true stereo. Pretty heavy as I recall though.

My regular setup is an L1 Model II with ToneMatch and one B1. Does it all for us.

Yes, a Nano 600 could probably do what you (DonM) describe (Replace two Compacts). I have used a Nano 600 for almost a year now, really like it. Not quite as quick to set up as a Compact (maybe more equiv to the time to set up 2 Compacts) - not all that heavy either. I use the Nano 600 in Stereo mode ... have used it for my solo gigs, plus duos and trios. I'm very satisfied with it. . .

-Jim

Check the new Bose model out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMgre4wEZEA

Ciao,
Jerry

https://www.bose.com/products/speakers/p...&src=K22350

Nice systems but too expensive. By the time you add the two bass mdocules you would need to handle dance music your up to 3K.
E veryones coming out with new systems and some look very interesting.

Bill and that is 3k for only one!!!

That's true, Bill, but keep in mind that Bose has raised the bar and set the benchmark for all the other manufactures to try to achieve. Thus far, none have been able to accomplish what Bose has along the line of professional PA systems, automotive sound systems or home entertainment system. Granted, the price is relatively high, but I sincerely believe our audiences should enjoy the very best.

Now, Donny, and a few others continue to bring up the issue of stereo V/S mono. I, like many others on this forum, have performed in various, live bands. None, at least those that I have worked with, had stereo systems - NONE! I also hear the argument that even if only the player hears stereo, it provides them with the incentive to play better. I contend that I want to play to the best of ability for everyone at every performance, whether I hear stereo or not has no bearing on anything. For the most part, it has been clearly demonstrated that very few of the audience members actually hear stereo, even when the speakers are spaced 40 feet apart. So, in reality, there is no justifiable reason for stereo PA systems, whether you have a full band, or playing an arranger keyboard.

Now, there have been some pseudo stereo PA Systems that have come on the market, but to date, most have been dismal failures at producing true stereo effects. If someone want's true stereo for their audiences, then they'll have to invest in a big, 5.1 surround sound system, which would be a nightmare to set up, but damned it would sure sound fantastic. I plugged my keyboard into my Logitech Z-5500 that I have set up in my family room for the TV - it was AWESOME!

Good luck,

Gary

Gary I won't get sucked into this, .... So let's just say we agree to disagree...

All the Best..

dp

Yes, I agree. Put out sub standard sound if you want to. I want to hear my keyboard as it was designed to be heard, in stereo.

New Bose looks promising. It is very compact. Especially the subwoofer.
I never liked L1 systems anyway. I don't like the way it looks or sounds.
Maybe if I am drinking coffee buy not on a gig where people dance. It is just hyped up speaker just like it's home theatre siblings. .Maybe if it was half the price I could say, not bad. But, for that money not even nearly good enough.

I have to try this F1 and compare it my own system.

I don't want to drag out the old stereo/mono discussion again, what you like is what you like. But it occured to me that there has been an unbelivable amount of attention and praise for the CenterPoint Spacestaion amp. Go over to the Keyboard Corner forum and find the 143 page thread. Longest discussion ever of any product and 99% positive. Some serious players are involved too.

And what does it do? Fills a room evenly with Stereo sound. So ??????

Don M had the CP sent it back promptly...

The Centerpoint did fill the room just fine. I didn't like the way it sounded on stage. I much prefer the Bose to it. A lot of people love it though.

So now he can say he's a 1 % er and join an outlaw biker club LOL

I'm not qualified to judge the Spacestaion as I've never played through one but I am amazed at all the attention its gotten.

I will say I've heard preformers a few times thru Bose systems and they seem "middy" to my ears. Not enough crispness on top and not enough solid bottom. Two times in particular I did walk around the room. And one time outside on a deck. You could hear it but no real definition. Perhaps it sounded fine to then but in the back of the room I think it lost something. Thats just me, not knocking any one who loves them
I do remember a DJ with and excellent sound at a party but it was the old Bose stuff with double subs. A ton of stuff.

We play mostly smaller rooms, 30 - 100 folks. We still use our Bose Compacts most of the time. Never had a problem with too little bass end...usually have the opposite problem of too much bass...if anything.

If this solo gig thing of mine keeps up, I may start using the Nano 300 again...nice sound, just more EQ fiddling than I like.

Regarding the F1, hope someone gives us their review at some point. I am curious about this unit for larger gigs.

Seven years of using the Bose systems, never had a system failure, and every audience loved what they heard. Never had a problem with too little bottom end or too little high end - maybe the person that you heard, Bill, didn't know how to EQ the Bose system. The vast majority of musicians, especially arranger keyboard players, I've come across over the past 50 years don't know squat about sound systems. But that's just my experience. Others may vary in this respect.

Good Luck,

Gary

I have to agree with Gary. As for the relatively high cost of Bose; For me it is worth the extra $ for their service.
As soon as Bose came out with the L1 system I purchased it (now called the classic). When they were first introduced the units were only available through Bose and they offered a 90 day trial period. After a year or so, I had a tech problem, called Bose and a tech rep spent several hours on the phone with me. It was determined that we couldn’t solve the problem via phone and he asked and I told him that I needed it in 2 days. I had a new unit delivered before my next gig and UPS took the old unit at that time. Well, sometime after that (and after the warranty ran out) the same thing happened and they immediately sent another unit, an upgrade to the Model 1 at no charge. After speaking to Bose and hashing the problems out on the Bose forum ( and before I knew about power conditioners) it was determined that using a surge protector on some restaurant gigs was the problem. It seems that the SURGE protectors do just that, but in some smaller restaurants, when the refrigeration compressors kick in, there can be a dramatic reduction in the surge and that can damage electronics, and that seems to be what the problem was. Added a conditioner, haven’t had a problem since. So, I’m a loyal Bose user not just for the service but it is the best sound for me. I’m not a Bose snob however, I investigate other products in search of the ideal, lightweight system and I ‘look’ into and try to listen to what forum members suggest.
Ciao,
Jerry