Alright, I am totally stoked and geared up about the Bose L1 family. Some of you may have already read my other thread about my experience with my Compact, Love it. So I was considering getting a Model II as well. The reality of it all is, after I sell whats left of my old gear that I am not using anymore, will only get me 3/4 of the way there. It will happen, but just take a little longer. After going through the forum's here, I see that some are pretty happy with 2 Compacts and dont seem to have the need for more. So, now I am more curious. I know depending on the scale of a job you are doing is gonna impact how this goes. Let it be known that I mostly work in these small to medium ma & pop bar and grills. I do weddings as well usually no more than 200 in attendance. Indoor and outdoor events. I play live music as well as DJ and Karaoke. I also have a Yorkeville powered sub I can throw into the mix if needed. Tomorrow night I have a Duets Karaoke contest to run and I will be just using the Compact, T1 and the sub. I will see how it goes a little better tomorrow. I guess, I would like to here about some of your experiences with 2 Compacts and your thoughts on them.

Hi again macheted01,

Here are some considerations: Two Compacts in close proximity do not cover much more area than one Compact. The increase in coverage is pretty much, the distance between them. Two Compacts (two of anything really) in close proximity isn't much louder than one.

A Model II can probably cover four times the area of a single Compact. That's because it can be heard at about twice the distance of a Compact (in any direction).


For context: I have Compacts and Model IIs. For anything bigger than 50 people in a normal crowd where the music is not the feature of the gathering, I usually take a Model II. The Compact can handle more if it is a quiet room, but since I have the choice I take a Model II with absolute confidence. I have also used a Compact for a concert for well over 300 attentive people but this was in lovely, exceptionally quiet room.

Here is a little more reading: Bringing Out the Big Dogs (left the Compacts at home)

Does that help?

Hi macheted01

I know how you are feeling right now; Compacts sound great and only weight 25# each!! Zowie, I'm saved!
I own two of them and I love them for the times they are sufficient.

However...if I had to make a choice between two Compacts or a Model II, I'd take the Model II every time.
It's more versatile, throws sound further, sounds bigger, fuller, richer, and covers more situations and more square footage.
Yes, it's not as convenient as a Compact or even two, but convenience is the only advantage the Compact totally owns.
I use my Compacts when I know the venue and the needs of the gig, but never trust to take them to an unknown event.

My first thoughts were to go with the Compact and Model II, which is most likely the direction I will go. It just seems that many on here have had good success with two Compacts. The reason I think of using two is because they may be spread apart 20 to 30 feet. Here is a pic of one of the main places I work. Not that big, but kind of spread out.

Here is another of one of the biggest gigs I do every year. I took this from up top of the tower that I had the old JBL's on. How do you think the Model II would do with this? Although, I dont know if you could get me to take it out there for obvious reasons.

Hey Guys, Just an update. I used the Compact at the bar pictued above last night and it worked great. Unfortunately, it was not that busy, so I am still in the testing phase. Adding the T1 is amazing and it allowed me to consolidate some of my gear. Just need to find the right case to incrporate everything. AMS is offering a pretty tempting offer for Bose gear right now, so I think I am going for the Model II now. Gonna call them up to confirm a few things. Now I just have to tell the wife whats going on. Yeee, haw.

Never tell the wife what's going on. Just learn the phrase "I've always had that, honey."
Or "oh ya, I traded in some of my old gear for that, it's cheaper and lighter and easier to use."
No one wants to be met with discouraging spousal mantra "WE can't afford it." because then your only left with "oh, I didn't know you were thinking of chipping in". And that hardly ever works.

Well, put my order in for the Model II. Cant wait. AMS is currently offering a 12 month payment plan that was to attractive to turn down.

quote:

Originally posted by macheted01:
Well, put my order in for the Model II. Cant wait. AMS is currently offering a 12 month payment plan that was to attractive to turn down.

Hi Macheted01,

How is the Model II working out for you? Did you get a bass module as well?

I'm at that crossroads too - pondering another Compact or going with the Model I or Model II (both with bass module)

Thanks!

Tom

Yeah, I did get it, but with just one bass module. Definately, see the need for two. Just have not been able to order one up yet. For some odd reason, I almost find myself wanting to order up another Compact and running them in stereo, off of my mixer for DJ applications. The Model II and T1 has been working great for my karaoke gig every Friday. Still need second B1 to make me completely happy.
I have to do a regular DJ gig tonight and bringing in the old system. The people in the bar are into music in your face and feeling it breathe and dont feel the Model II plus powered sub would not be cut out for the job. I definately see there place in the line of work I do. Plus saving my back.
Would love to get together with a couple of the guys I used to jam with and get a little trio thing going to put the Model II to use that way.
All in all, working out great, but still a tough call on deciding on another Compact.

quote:

Originally posted by macheted01:
Yeah, I did get it, but with just one bass module. Definately, see the need for two. Just have not been able to order one up yet. For some odd reason, I almost find myself wanting to order up another Compact and running them in stereo, off of my mixer for DJ applications. The Model II and T1 has been working great for my karaoke gig every Friday. Still need second B1 to make me completely happy.
I have to do a regular DJ gig tonight and bringing in the old system. The people in the bar are into music in your face and feeling it breathe and dont feel the Model II plus powered sub would not be cut out for the job. I definately see there place in the line of work I do. Plus saving my back.
Would love to get together with a couple of the guys I used to jam with and get a little trio thing going to put the Model II to use that way.
All in all, working out great, but still a tough call on deciding on another Compact.

Thanks for the update!

I find myself w/ the same dilemma as well in that for the price of one Model II, I could add 2 more Compacts - thus completing the "one L1 per musician" initial Bose mantra/approach with my 3 piece band.

The creation of the Compact seems to make that approach more affordable ~ but struggle with "will it be enough".

Hopefully other Compact owners will chime in here and give us more stories of their applications and how they've used their Compacts in "larger" environments (noisy bars, 200-300 people, etc).

Ahh, the thrill of the hunt . . .

When using then Compacts by themselves, they lack the umph that two will do. I run mine in dual mono and that rock! Debatable if they would do your needs for the "In Your Face" needs. I have ran them twice in night clubs doing Karaokae with Hip Hop in between. No one complained except to say that was too clean sounding. That was up to about 100 people in a small area. For weddings, where medium volume is used...2 Compacts in dual mono is awesome.
As a "New" owner of a Model 1 with 2 B1s, I have used it about 4 times now. The power it puts out has surpassed the 2 Compacts in dual mono. I am pleasantly surprised as the bass response of the 2 B1s. I was informed by many who has used them to not...use just one B1 sub. Two really set it apart. Largest crowd has been about 100 people in club as Front Of House with my band.
I did try to use the Model 1 with 2B1s and a Compact with my band as FOH. It was severally off balanced being used about 20 feet apart. It was if the Compact was never there. Giving the room a one sided advantage. My band is Leary (as I am too) about running the Model 1 and the 2 Compacts on stage without using floor monitors. We don't have a way of practicing with this configuration. At most gigs we just show up and play. No practice is involved.

I'm still on the fence...

Just can't quite pull the trigger either way - add another Compact or spend double getting the Model II. (Could use that saved money on more toys - LOL)

Mostly a 3 piece Country, Classic Rock, Oldies & Blues Band and sometimes have special guests sit in. Venues were crowd is 75-150 and maybe more (your typical bar / restaurant).

Any things to sway me either way?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

Hey Tom,If it were me,and money allowed,I'd opt for the L1 ModelII.You'd have more flexibility that way.I'd run my backtracks and bass heavy instruments through the ModelII.If you play outside gigs,you can line in your Compact for more coverage and volume.Been there,done that.

Thanks for the advice J.D.

I guess the "struggle" (or at least one of them), is that if I get another couple of Compacts, I would have 3 and be closer to that 1 per player mantra - but not sure if that would deliver the same as a Model II coupled with a Compact. And if I go with the Model II and spend the extra money on top of the other two Compacts, then I'd be back to having one/two of us sharing on of the L1's.

Wish I had the money to buy em all! LOL

I have personally ran a band through a Single L1M1 with 2 B1s and 1 Compact as Front Of House, the Compact came nowhere close to the M1B2 setup. It sounded in balanced to me. It sound to me like weight is a big factor in the decision between a M1 and a M2. I can tell you that the M1 base is awkward to carry and is surprising heavy. Lately my DJ gigs have been with the single L1 M1 with 2 B1s. Since you have have a Compact, a T1 and a M2, I would opt for a M1 just for the additional 4 inputs!

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Clark:
I have personally ran a band through a Single L1M1 with 2 B1s and 1 Compact as Front Of House, the Compact came nowhere close to the M1B2 setup. It sounded in balanced to me. It sound to me like weight is a big factor in the decision between a M1 and a M2. I can tell you that the M1 base is awkward to carry and is surprising heavy. Lately my DJ gigs have been with the single L1 M1 with 2 B1s. Since you have have a Compact, a T1 and a M2, I would opt for a M1 just for the additional 4 inputs!

Hi Bobby,

I only have 1 Compact at the moment. I was contemplating a decision between M1 and M2, but all the opinions said the M2 would be a better match given the articulated speakers.

I have an opportunity to pick up a M1 w/ 2 Bass Modules or a M2 w/ 1 Bass Module for the same price (both used in great shape) ~ but with that, I could buy 2 additional Compacts (New) (or just one more so I'd have a pair and I'd have some $$ in my pocket).

Okay, I re-read your askind or stating "in a noisy bar with 250-300 people". The answer is clear in that statement alone. 1 Compact will not do that at all...nor will 3 Compacts! In a venue with that many people unless they are sitting and QUIETLY listening to you will 3 of the bigger units be enough. The bottom end is not there with 3 Compacts or any of the two L1s with a single B1.
If you have a chance to get a Model 1 with 2 B1s, I would go that route. I love mine, but a single B1 bass bin really does nothing in my opinion. There is a huge difference with 2 B1s. I know I state in other posts that I run my band with 2 Compacts as FOH. However it is a well balanced mix with lead guitar, bass cabinets, and drums mic'd. Plus at a volume level that is kept at a very pleasant volume.

Hi Tom the Guitar guy,

quote:

Originally posted by Tom the Guitar guy:
...
I only have 1 Compact at the moment. I was contemplating a decision between M1 and M2, but all the opinions said the M2 would be a better match given the articulated speakers.

I have an opportunity to pick up a M1 w/ 2 Bass Modules or a M2 w/ 1 Bass Module for the same price (both used in great shape) ~ but with that, I could buy 2 additional Compacts (New) (or just one more so I'd have a pair and I'd have some $$ in my pocket).

Hands down - I would get the Model II with one B1. You can always pick up another B1 later, but no amount of money will turn a Model I into a Model II.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom the Guitar guy:
if I get another couple of Compacts, I would have 3 and be closer to that 1 per player mantra - but not sure if that would deliver the same as a Model II coupled with a Compact.

While I much prefer to have one L1® per player, if this is the requirement ...

quote:

Originally posted by Tom the Guitar guy:
Mostly a 3 piece Country, Classic Rock, Oldies & Blues Band and sometimes have special guests sit in. Venues were crowd is 75-150 and maybe more (your typical bar / restaurant).

I would take a Model II.

I'm doing quiet concerts with Compacts and that works fine, but I wouldn't take a Compact into a typical bar with 75 or more people. The Compact might be able to reach most of the people, but the stage level would have to be uncomfortably high. This means that you need to get creative about dealing with feedback, and in the end you could well require more stage space than you would with the Model II. That's certainly been the case for me.

Even if you have to share, the Model II is a better tool for the job.

You can always take a Model II into a place that would be served by a Compact, but you can't do it the other way around.

Does that help?

Funny, I was getting on here this morning to start a thread, but seen a couple new posts here. First of all, after last nights experience, I will say Model II hands down. A second B1 will be need to be added at some point. I work in a pretty live and sometimes routy bar and lately the crowd has been begging for more. Sound wise. If you have to make a choice, I say Model II. As ST pointed out, there is no amount that can be thrown at the Model I to make it a Model II. I currently use the Model II with one B1. Although it will be some time before I can purchase an additional B1, I am glad I chose the Model II. The Model I would not cut it where I currently work.