Saw Norah Jones live at DAR Constitution Hall in DC last night. Amazing show. Good audio and lights. Fantastic musicians. Drums nicely tuned/mic'd. But something was missing.

Though I'm a fully brainwashed Bose advocate, I realize the L1's are not suitable for a large arena-type concert like this. The house line array's did a fine job of providing clear sound (to my seat at least, and I would presume to the whole venue). But as nice as the show was, and as well-mixed the audio was, I couldn't help notice that I was watching the performers on the stage but all the audio (in terms of what I could detect), came from the huge array suspended above and to the right of the stage. In actuality, before the Bose L1 approach, I might not have given it much thought as a concert goer. But now, it's so glaringly obvious and non-intuative. Just found it interesting. (and make no mistake, I LOVED the show)

John

The eye-ear connection was missing eh?

Maybe if there was a thin line array above each performer?

Above, or maybe behind. I hear ya, John. Once you've experienced a pleasing connection of senses, it's more uncomfortable than ever when there's a disconnect...

Chuck

Amen, fellows! Even the very BEST sound in bigger shows doesn't give you the same experience as what we all enjoy with our beloved L1's.

Since using L1, I have seen Clapton, twice, James Taylor, Doobies, Loggins & Messina, McCartney, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, probably more that's not coming to me right now, and some Texas locals, all in larger venues. The sound for McCartney was excellent in the huge Dallas Reunion Arena miraculously, and Loggins and Messina in Dallas Nokia Theatre (6,000) was pretty good. ALL of the other shows, the vocals were buried, (because) the bass and kick were a massive thunder of mush. Not to mention the lack of directional focus that we have come to thrive on. (EVEN JT and Steely had problems to my ear, which surprised me.)

This weekend at the Dallas International Guitar Show, all of the performance stages were hung-high line array pairs plus gargantuan subs at the front and middle of the stage, and while any given audience was 200 or less and you could get up as close as you wanted - again, the bass just covered you up, while hurting you in the chest at the same time. Mercy!

I don't guess I'm sure what my POINT is here, but we DO have it good in our little world here!

I will offer this opinion though - Folks At Bose... these Guitar Shows seem like a wonderful opportunity to show a LOT of musicians The Way. (Taylor had an L1 set up, but in their small booth, justice was not done.)

A side note - the Show had a special exhibit called The Holy Grail - a room with over 60 truly amazing instruments, the highlight of which was a single display with Clapton's Cherry 335, his Blackie Stratocaster, and Stevie Ray Vaughan's main Stratocaster. It was breathtaking.

Mike

I have been to many large concerts in my life, and will not go to them without ear plugs. I can't listen to a traditional sound system without them.

Too Brash, and too boomy. If I wear earplugs that cut the total sound by about 20 - 25 db, I will be able to hear them just like they were playing through the L1.

Try it if you are going to a show. And ALWAYS bring info about the L1.