Karaoke Forums

I may be kicking the hornets nest here...but I'd like feedback from those of you who have actually used one of these things. I'm not looking for bose-bashing from those of you who don't have any experience with them but just don't like them- or who heard from a friend of a friend that they "suck" .

From those of you who HAVE used one- what are your thoughts?..any pros and/or cons? What type venue did you use it for? How effective do you think it is? At what size room does it come up short on power? I'm TIRED of lugging speakers, amps, monitors, cables, stands and all the other BS around to sing with.

I'm a pro singer who is working in a club that has a terrible system- But i'm NOT willing to lug all the traditional equipment of speakers amp and monitors to this place. I do that for corporate stuff in ballrooms etc- but ot be honest from what I've heard I could use the bose for almost all that work too. I already have 4 EV speakers, a powered mackie amp/mixing board, and 3 wedge monitors as a basic setup- so I'm not looking to buy another standard system. The only system I'm even remotely interested in is the Bose PAS- if I determine that IT "can't do the job"- then I'll make do with the clubs system or the one I already have. So Please PLEASE don't give me alternate traditional systems...it's bose, mine or nothing...I just want some feedback on exactly what one of these systems is capable of doing - from people that have used it. I read all the glowing reviews on the bose websites- but want to hear from everyday people if all that is accurate.

The room is about 70 by 60 and seats appx 250 people- glass windows on 3 sides( and I do mean glass from floor to ceiling and wall to wall- it's on the 19th floor in a highrise so people love the views!) the floor is hardwood. There are 4 ceiling mounted speakers that face each other( yeah I know someone is a MORON!) Sound bounces around in this place like mad! And mics will feedback on a dime. I'm not willing to lug my EV/mackie system to this place because they'll be just as loud and bouncy(not to mention a pain in my arse to load) I AM interested in the bose system because it will allow me to bypass the clubs system, eliminate the monitors, and is capable of spreading sound in 180 degrees with no drop off in levels. Yet it's small and light(30 pounds for the heaviest piece- the base) Is this true? Please share any experiences you may have with either the L1 model I or II...we would be getting 4 bass modules and the tone match engine to allow some effects and mixing.

Again- I'm not looking for an alternate small system...I want to know if the BOSE system can do what it is purported to do. if it can't then I'm just gonna stay with the club system and try to make do.

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With all due respect, the people who don't like the way they sound won't have used them. So bear that in mind.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

With even more due respect- how can someone say they "don't" like the way the Bose sounds if they've never used one to determine that?

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I'm a huge Bose fan. Sold 2 pairs of 901's last December to help pay for my new system. I loved them for 30 years. I am sold on Bose. No longer needed a "home" stereo.

Saturday night I was at the venue I will be performing at this coming Thursday. They have the Bose system, I'm not positive it is the exact one you are talking about. I can find out but won't know until Thursday night. So take this with a grain of salt.

Bose is famous for great highs, mids and pttttthththththt base.

These fit that description to a t. I was not impressed. If they are the same ones you are looking at, I wouldn't use them to sing professionally. JMHO.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Paula, I've not used them myself, however one of the Karaoke bars I used to frequent used them for a quite a while. They covered a pretty good sized bar without any trouble, I think for your small jazz gigs they'd work out fine. I don't buy into the opinion that is so often encountered in the pro-audio realm about Bose being sub par. Used in the RIGHT APPLICATIONS there isn't much that can match the fidelity you get with a Bose system. Our production company has a couple sets of Bose 802's and I can tell you for smaller gigs, they work great.

The Bose system will never get you that rumble their socks off performance of a concert series PA. If you try to drive it to that you'll be disappointed and probably will damage the system. But in your case what I believe you want is a smoother crisp accurate sound in a small package. You're looking for room filling rather than room dominating. For that I don't think the Bose can be beat.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I tried the L1 system, 2 sticks & 1 sub - assured by the Bose rep that this would MORE than cover the club i'm in with better sound than my current PA. It didn't even come close. The bass was very lacking (our singers like the dance club bass). The sound carried but didn't seem loud enough.
I then used them as what they were originally marketed for (original name was the PAS - "Personal" Amplification System) on stage as a personal monitor for the singer - they excelled in this application.
I personally would not spend the money on these. Very overpriced IMO.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

The same way I know I don't like a microphone. Auditioning and hearing.

I have auditioned a Bose at GC and sang through one as a karaoke singer many times. If that counts as use, then I have used it. And while it has some good points, I just don't like the sound. It is very punchy in midrange, which flatters a lot of music and makes it quite easy to hear yourself as a vocalist. The saying goes -- "No highs and no lows, must be Bose". They seem very high in price for what you get.

The good points that working musicians like mostly have to do with ease of setup and lack of feedback problems.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Hey LOn...did you say you only used one bass module? if so I can see that you'd be very underwhelmed. I plan on using 2 sticks and 4 subs...plus- as letitrip said I'm looking to fill a room rather than dominate it. That dance hall vibrate you out of your chair is what I hate about the house system. It' s romantic place where people want to hear the music, dance a bit- but they still want to be able to have a conversation. I'm seriously looking for more of a quality sound than HUGE thumping sound. I'd like for the crowd to be able to hear the softer Diana Krall type songs as easily as they do the Big Buble type arrangements. It;s going to me me, and a piano bass and drums. Maybe some synthesizer strings or horns- but we're going to try to keep it as "real/live" as we can. Do you still think the PAS would fail- in this situation and with the extra 3 bass modules?

They said I could try it for 45 days before I have to commit to it.

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1 bass module - per the Bose rep. That system I outlined cost about $3600 - with only ONE sub. Would've ran almost $5000 for the system with 4 subs. Sorry for that price I can get a very high grade system that can be used in clubs small to large.
If you do not mind the price, then yes for the application you intend it will probably suffice. It was definitely not for me.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I say BUY IT ....TEST IT ..... If you like KEEP IT
If not ..return...many of the big retailers offer you at least 45 days satisfaction return policy.

I NEVER USED THE SYSTEM...but what I've read is the Bose system will do exactly what you want it to do...at a COST. It's not an earth shaking system but it is a CLEAN sounding system that will fill the room with great sound and its EASY TO CARRY and set up. NEED MORE VOLUME add a stick or bass module.

If you don't mind the cost --the Bose system seems to be everything you're looking for

yup it's gonna be 6500 for the 2 systems - but they're throwing the hard backed gig cases( two for the towers and 2 for the bases one of which has a place for the tone match engine), four 20 ft monster cables, 3 mic stands, a rock and roll cart( the big one) and some various connectors-- they comes to almost 1000 in freebies( Bose won't allow any negotiating on the price so the store makes it up in other ways)

That also included a 2 year warranty from bose as well as a seperate warranty from the store to cover shipping if I need to send anything in for repair(which isn't covered by bose) and a 45 day trial period. PLus I get to pay for it over a 2 year period- 500 per month payments

I'm leaning strongly towards it...just the ease or having smaller equipment to cart is beyond attractive!

I used a friends L1 model I for a month- but I had smaller jobs like country clubs and some weddings...I'm unsure if it can cover a big room or not. Having trouble finding anyone with actual experience of the L1 model II with the 4 bass setup.

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yup I think the try it and see approach is the best way to do it.

Mickey- I;d say that counts as a "use" But i agree with you- I think those punchy mids that made you dislike it are probably why i am drawn to it...it does make it easy on the singer to hear themselves!

I'm also so tired of some old coot who site RIGHT in fromt of the speakers asking us to turn it down...then the people on the far side of the club can't even hear the words. I'm hoping that this will give a uniform sound to everyone and eliminate the pockets of low and high volume.

I'll be sure to let y'all know the outcome if you are interested.

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Very interested. Why not try them for free?

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

oneofakind,

I personally own two L1 towers and 4 bass modules. Mine are known as the "Classic" L1. When Bose came out with the L1 Model 2 they also updated the "Classic" L1 and called it the L1 Model 1. Mine are very similar to the Model 1 but there are a few minor differences. I use my Bose L1s for DJ gigs and for some corporate regional sales meetings where I do basic sound reinforcement. I have been using this equipment for about 2 years now.

I will say that I like the system and overall I have been very happy with it but I will not say it's perfect. There are a few things that are a bit more difficult with the Bose system than with a traditional setup like your EV/Mackie combo.

If you purchase the package and it sounds like that's your plan. Give yourself plenty of time to get used to using the system and learn how to use it right. The Bose method of doing things is a bit different than traditional systems. After my first gig with the Bose system I was cursing it a little bit and even thought about returning it. I set it up at home first and worked things out but I didn't really think of all the things I needed to think about until I got the system to a venue for the first time.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. With your powered mixer you just ran signal cables from the mixer to your passive speakers. Pretty simple, run the XLR, 1/4 inch or Speakon cables to the back of the speakers. The Bose L1 system speakers are powered so now you'll have to plug the speakers/amp combo into the wall as well. Seems simple enough but what I have to do is run extension cords along with my XLR cables to each tower. I have to do this because far more often than not, if I plug the speakers into a different outlet than my rack, I will have a ground loop hum. I found it was just easier to run the power for the L1s back to my power conditioner in my rack and have everything plugged into one outlet. Now I don't have to worry about any ground loop issues.

Another thing to think about is how you will be getting your sound to both towers. With the tone match engine, I think it's a bit easier (my L1s don't support the Tone Match). For stereo sound like music from a CD, laptop, or Karaoke CD+G, it's simple, run the left out of your mixer to the left tower, right to the right tower. Simple. What about your vocals though. Bose recommends that you only send mono (as in your mic) to one tower unless your towers are 20 foot or more apart. I run my mics to both towers regardless of what Bose suggests. There's more to this and I would be happy to talk to you about it offline.

As for the sound and coverage. There are a lot of DJs out there using only one L1 at smaller gigs (about 200 people). I personally always bring both L1s to my gigs regardless of the size. This way I have a complete backup. Should one speaker, bass module or power stand amp fail I still have backup equipment. I also don't think anything less than 2 bass modules is enough regardless of what any Bose rep tells you. For dance music my minimum is 4 bass modules. As I said I always bring both towers and all 4 bass modules. The 4 bass modules provide adequate bass but it's not going to match a twin 15" or 18" subwoofer setup. It's just right however for my typical gigs, weddings, receptions, anniversaries. I don't use them at clubs, bars, or high school dances. For all of those venues I would want a much bigger bottom end. Those are not the kinds of gigs that I do so it has not been a problem.

One thing you should always try to do with the bass modules is to setup all 4 subs next to each other. The acoustic coupling will increase the impact of the bass. I don't know if it's just perceived or if it's real but the bass does sound stronger when all the subs are placed together.

I think for styles like Dianna Krall, the Bose system will sound outstanding. I often play artists like Krall, Sinatra and Bublé during cocktails, dinner and the early part of dancing at my wedding receptions and I can tell you that it sounds good.

Systems setup at your local GC will almost always be setup wrong. The GC sales people don't know how to use the EQ presets which do have a very favorable impact when your amplifying live instruments or vocals though the L1 system. A musician friend of mine wanted to checkout my Bose system about a year and 1/2 ago. He brought his acoustic guitar (with a simple pickup) and I set him up with the Shure SM58. He wanted to know if there were any effects he could use and I told him no. The Tone Match wasn't out then. When he started playing he was very happy using it as a monitor and a PA. He no longer cared that there were no effects.

If you have more specific questions, ask them here and I'll do my best to answer them. If you really need some more detailed information, shoot me a PM and we can communicate via email or something.

You should have no concern about buying the system to try it out and return it if it doesn't work for you. Bose or the Bose dealer will take it back if you're not happy.

I don't work for Bose nor am I receiving any compensation from them. I will be happy to share with you my honest opinions about the system.

Well, if you plan to use the model II you are going to want a tone match engine.

The model I is heavier but has a eq preset function built in.

I own a Model I 2 radiators and 4 bass bins. I would never use it for karaoke, it just cant keep up. It's not even close to being loud enough. My 2 -12" Turbosounds and a single 18" turbosound sub would completely blow it away.

If this is a problem then I don't think the Bose is that much better. I went to an event that used the system without any Bass units. The volume was very low at the back, even with the volume turned on fairly high. The front volume was good. The room was about 20' x 40'

As Lonnie mentioned, there was absolutely no low end at all. Of course, there were no bass units but I thought even my little old JBL Eons had 10 times more thump at the low end than Bose without bass units. I wasn't able to try it out because it was the house unit but I did have a close look at it.

I don't know what your reason for the Bose unit, perhaps the weight of the total system but for $6500, I think you can put together a better system with just as good or better sound. I wasn't overwhelmed by the Bose system.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

There's no way a Bose L1 system without the Bass Modules is going to have any bass at all. You can't make bass, even the Bose way with just the (24) 2.5 inch drivers! You shouldn't expect any bass whatsoever without the bass modules. Furthermore, it's a given that the volume from the L1 towers is going to fall off the further you get away from the speakers. I wouldn't say the falloff is any better or worse with the Bose towers. A number of Bose L1 users suggest that the towers should be elevated and I tend to agree. You need to get at least some of the HF drivers firing above peoples heads. This wouldn't be a problem for a seated audience, the height of the towers is plenty to get over peoples heads. In a situation where you have the towers placed flat on the floor, level with say a group of people dancing on the dancefloor, a lot of that energy is going to get absorbed by the crowd. I prefer to be elevated on a stage, even if it's just 6 inches off the floor. If there's no stage, I don't bother elevating my towers but some owners do put their towers on a platform.

The volume of L1 for Karaoke applications really depends on your venue an audience. I did a karaoke gig for a 50th birthday party in a client's garage. There were probably 100+ people at the party and maybe 30 - 40 at a time in the garage. I had both my L1s and all four bass modules and I can honestly say it was overkill. One tower would have been fine.

My system didn't cost anywhere near $6500. It was expensive, no doubt but it wasn't $6500. I guess the increase in price has to do with the difference between the Model 1 and the Model 2 plus the added cost of the ToneMatch.

If I had $6500 to replace my Bose system today. I wouldn't buy another set of L1s. In fact if I had the money today, I would consider a more traditional setup like a pair of the new QSC K series and one or two subs. Two QSC K12s and two QSC KSUBs would only cost $3700 full retail. Now I realize that the post said it was Bose or nothing but it's just something to think about in terms of the cost of the Bose system.

P.S. You should really spend some time looking over the Bose Wiki if your considering buying the Bose system.

http://toonz.ca/bose/wiki/index.php

Eben - thanks for your throughts! You are correct about the weigth of the total system being one of the mail reasons i want to bose setup..the other is the fact that the band gets to hear exactly what the crowd is hearing. The band I'm workig with in that venue now is just too loud. Not a week goes by that i don't see someone with their hands up to their ears because of that. The way their sound system is set up precludes anyone but the vocalist having their own monitor(even if i DID want to lug on eup there) not enough channels. Plus on top of that it's a jazz room and I don't think people that come to hear jazz want to be assaulted with room dominating bass...in many cases the bass isn't even electric- but upright. I'm planning on having the piano and bass running through one stick and myself and any other solo instrument or singer running through the other one. The drums don't need amping- even with the band turned up as a loud as they get on Sat. The bose just had come across as the most compact way to get a set up without having to have monitors...that solved the problem of the band not being able to hear each other- or competing for be heard. With 4 bass modules i think it would be pleanty of thump...too much thump now if ya ask me...all those bouncy surfaces magnify thump.

DR Rhythm- The place is a big H shape and the 2 back "wings" are the bar on one side and the waiters station on the other. The dance floor is the "cross" of the H and is raised about 2 feet above the rest of the room. Also this place seats 200-250 people and they have a strick policy about not letting people in who "don't have a seat" so- other than whatever dancers we have- there aren't normally any people standing. If I set the towers on the floor- the bottom part of the tower would be level with everyone not on the dance floors head. Would that work? There is also a massive buffet/server right behind us. I could set them on that which would put the bottom of the bose tower level with the people seated on the dance floors heads and 2 or 3 feel above the people seated in the other parts of the room. Which would work better.

BTW- since you have used this system- I have 2 questions...what specifically would make you say that you wouldn't but this set up again- THAT's the kind of thing I want to know. PRO & CONS of the setup as opposed to a traditional set up from someone with actual working experiance of both. Could you elaborate?

Also since you obviously have that experiance- taking into account weight and ease of set up( I am not a sound guy and probably won't have access to one...I also won't be able to change levels much once the gig starts which is another reason I liked the bose setup) Do you know of a traditional set up that is comparable in weight that could also be moved in one trip? Parking in the city is a beeyotch and I have to get everything in one trip. This set up would also need to provide some sort of monitoring. Does such an animal exist? I've never seen anything other than the Bose L1 that was smallenough to get everything in one trip, light enough that I can do it in an evening gown and heels, easy to assemble and get running for a person with very limited pro audio skills, that sounded worth a toot. Since I'm testing the Bose system- I may as well check out anything you'd reccommend that matched these requirements.

Oh you are also right- the high price is for 2 L1 model 2 towers, 4 bass modules, the tone match engine, and hard back cases for the towers and bases. Do you have the gig bags or the hard cases? Is this system as "hardy" as they say it is?

You guys are great BTW! Thanks for all this great info! If I can ever help you with a question about singing- I'd love to reciprocate!

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No need to thank me, personally. Just send me an invitation to your next gig. I am in San Jose and can make it up to the city to hear a band, which I do often because my best friend in the city is in 4 bands!

Keep me posted.

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Seize the day and SING!!!