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Got a little free time, so I'm sharing a few thoughts(sort of lengthy I guess) on our Bose Compact experience. Thanks in advance for any that read this and care to share comments. We've had the L1 compact for about a week now. We haven't had the chance to play out in public with it but have put it through it's paces at home in a large living room. It's hard to describe the sound...but words like, rich, clear, accurate and other positives come to mind. For the size and weight(not to mention ease of use) of this unit, it does quite an amazing job....kudos to Bose. But of course, the real test will be when we go out with in public which won't be for a week or so. We're still trying to decide on a few options because we need four inputs, and may need the flexibility to cover larger crowds... (1) Using one L1 compact in combo with the T1. I'll have the T1 today(coming from Musiciansfriend) but no power unit(coming from Bose). The power unit won't be here until next week. Musiciansfriend's free shipping said plan on 5-7 days for delivery; the T1 is taking two days to get here. Bose's free shipping said plan on 5-7 days(I beleive) and it will take all of that for the power unit to get here. So evaluations of the T1 and compact will have to wait. Strange deal to get a mixer with no power unit. That's a first for me. Why not include a power unit in the package since it's needed on at least two of the L1 products??? (2) Two L1 compacts...tempting. My wife and I do small gigs...four inputs are needed. She uses either a bass or keyboard depending on venue plus a vocal mike(two inputs). I use two inputs/guitar and vocals. The L1 compact sounds best to me direct when using one of my Taylor guitars and our vocal mikes...the sound is accurate and rich...just a joy to listen to. Our Yamaha E423 keyboard is another story. We use drum sounds and piano styles in our gigs. When the E423 is plugged directly into the Bose(line level), the mids and highs are really subdued. I'm thinking that really is an E423 issue and not the Bose because the only out on the E423 is a headphone jack and I'm thinking what the Bose is reproducing is what is coming out of that headphone jack...rich low end but not much mids and highs. So if we go with two Compacts, we will have to figure out something for our keyboard. Our budget allows for another Compact but not both another keyboard and Compact. Besides the E423 does what we need for simple gigs. (3) Our 3rd option is to use the mixer from our Yamaha StagePAS 500. This will give us the needed four inputs. Plus, we can use the Compact in combo with the Yamaha StagePAS when we need to cover bigger gigs...i.e. more people. I've tried the Yamaha and Bose together at lower volumes and the two systems actually complement each other. The Bose does a much better job of mids and highs on vocals and guitar and the Yamaha fills in the lower end...which by the way, is also very good on the Bose. Also by using the StagePAS mixer, we are able to bring back the mids and highs using EQ on the E423. One big thing I've noticed.... The Yamaha system is very good sounding for our types of gigs.... However, when I compare the Yamaha to the Bose at home here anyway...The Bose just blows away the Yamaha...to my ears anyway. That was a big surprise to me....especially when I didn't think the sound could be much better than it was on the Yamaha. To any who have read this...thanks for taking your time. If you have comments on your journey with Bose similar to ours...it would be fun to hear from you. Take care. | |||
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Hi guitpic, I was sorry to read about the challenges surrounding getting your T1® (T1 coming today) Be sure to check the firmware version when you get the T1® and the Power Supply. I'll post instructions on how to do that in the next post (below). About the sound of the Yamaha PSR-E423 portable keyboard: if you run thAt through the T1® you might be able to reduce the low end and get it more in balance with the mids and highs. I am really interested to know what you think of the Compact and Yamaha STAGEPAS 500, when you can compare them in a performance sized space. Is the Yamaha really THAT much louder? Chalk that up to curiosity. | |||
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What version level is your T1®?
Right now the latest T1® firmware is 1.8. What have you got? Notes: What version of the T1® Firmware do I have? | |||
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ST, Won't know much until a power unit shows up. Tx | ||||
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I know you must me chomping at the bit to get that power supply, but it will be well worth it in the long run. The T1 is just awsome. I have a Compact as well. Scored my T1 on ebay with the power supply. So I got lucky. I have seen on here that others have had some issues using keyboards with their L1 systems. I have no experience myself, but I think you will find some helpfull tips on the board here with a little browsing. I have seen quite a few threads on here covering this. Once you get your T1 up and running, I dont think you will look back much on other stuff, unless of course if you are looking to expand. My Compact led me to getting a Model II and each have there purpose depending on what I am doing. I have had mixed reviews from others, where I work, but I totally love it. I think you will find if you need to, that using your Compact in conjunction with your Stagpass system that you will be covered for most situations. Just guessing, since you already sound pretty happy with the Stagpass system that is. Will be looking forward to hearing what you think, when you put it to use. Cheers. | ||||
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Hi Here is my tip regarding the Yamaha E423. I had a PSR 413 which your PSR 423 Replaces. I no own a PSR 900. I own a Model2 and a Compact. When using your Tonematch I would strongly suggest that you bypass all EQ settings and let the keyboards on board settings prevail. I use Channel 3 on tonematch with 1/4 unbalanced jack. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Just my two cents. AJ "music is neither new or old...it just "is" | ||||
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I have been using two compacts from day 1,...When I decided to go the Bose Compact rout, I decided right then to purchase two compacts... I have not regretted that decision one bit... After approximately one, and a half years, the compacts have proven themselves over, and over again... I play solo sax most of the time,...playing mostly smooth jazz... In my most recently gig, I played a motor cycle, and car show,...Outside, in a large plaza, downtown San Angelo, TX... I got to turn up the volume, and everyone said that the sound was totally awesome,...lots of people came looking for a band, when seeing only me, and the two compacts,...many coments where, "unbelievable"... If you can afford it get two compacts... If you go through American Music Supply, you spread the payments over 5 to 8 months... "If I could do only one thing right... Let it be music that inspires people to do the right things..." | |||
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Gotta love AMS. | ||||
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Thanks all for the comments...interesting stuff. The T1 power supply is due tomorrow. I don't quite follow the marketing strategy that doesn't include a power unit with the T1 mixer....especially when it's designed to work with two other L1 units, a PC and even other sound systems?? And then include a cable that only works with the L1M2?? Oh well..... But I'm sure there's some smart bean counters out there that have this marketing scheme(mixer minus power unit) figured out. I have done a lot of reading about the T1, including the manual. Since I have done some digital recording, I think I understand the idea behind the way the T1 is supposed to work. I'll have to say, there are some impressive, powerful tools built into the T1 and I'm anxious to give it a try. One of the things I'm most anxious to try are setting up the scenes. We play repeatedly in certain venues and I think the scenes mode will be just great with repeat gigs. Thanks again to all for responding. More soon...assuming the power unit shows up Tue.  | ||||
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actually, it is quite easy to explain...it's marketing! I ordered a T1 mixer with my initial order of the 2 Compacts in December 2009. I had to order the power supply separately as well. The T1 Mixer is designed to be operated with the L1 Model II unit. Not anything else. The power supply is just an accessory. So is the stand mount for the T1 Mixer. I had to order it separately as well. Now for the benefit, the T1 Mixer is awesome! I have never seen a mixer quite like it in a small format! I am excited everytime I get a chance to use it. I have used it outside of my BOSE units as it is a great mixer to use with other applications! I have not updated or done anything to connect it to the internet. I have heard horror stories of other users who have updated and it go into the blue screen of death. Since it is working, I do not feel the need to do any updates. You will love all the advantages of the T1 Mixer and the Compact(s) as they are a perfect combination of Professional Sound Equipment! | ||||
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Hi Bobby, The blue screen issue was fixed in a firmware update 1.6 in February 2008 (link to → Neil-at-Bose announcement). If your firmware version is earlier than 1.6 then you are actually at some risk of encountering the blue screen issue. If your firmware is 1.6 or later, then you should be fine. Note: Firmware version 1.8 has some nice enhancements to the tuner function over previous versions. Firmware version 1.7 (included in 1.8) gave us finer grained control over the digital delay. For more information you can read firmware update history. I have NEVER read about anyone damaging their T1® by running a firmware update. Although if you have the blue screen issue already, it is too late to apply the fix.
Choosing not to apply updates is your choice, but to all who are reading this, if you are not sure what version firmware you are running, it is easy to check. And if you are not at version 1.6 or later - you really should apply the latest firmware update (currently version 1.8). What version level is your T1®? (Note: you do not need to connect the T1® to the Internet to check your firmware. You can do the following procedure directly on the T1®).
Right now the latest T1® firmware is 1.8. What have you got? Notes: What version of the T1® Firmware do I have? What version is your Power Stand?
The latest version is 1.3 If you don't have that see: L1® Model II Power Stand Firmware Updates. | |||
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Bobby and ST, Thanks for the comments. Bobby, yea I figured it was marketing....wonder if there are any musicians in that group? Still, I'm guessing that the T1 will work well. ST, Is that power stand version thing for the Compact as well? TX | ||||
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Hi guitpic
Almost everyone on the original development team was a performing musician. You can read about that here: L1® Research Product History
Sorry for the confusion - I lost track of the context here (Compact). The Power Stand firmware is for the Model II Power Stand only. | |||
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by ST: Hi guitpic Almost everyone on the original development team was a performing musician. You can read about that here: L1® Research Product History [QUOTE] Thanks ST. My comment was a bit tongue in cheek. I had actually researched the L1 quite a bit back in 2004 when I bought my Classic. I have been convinced the L1 ssystem has the best sound since they first came out. Still I wonder... Over some almost 40 years of gigging, it seems I've had a number of the smaller portable systems over the years...Mackie, Fender, Peavey, Yamaha, Bose and you name it. I tried Fishman's PA but didn't like it as much sound wise...had good connectivity options though and that almost had me buying it over the Bose Compact. Sound wise, Bose is the best thing I've ever owned/used...that's a big deal. But not the only deal. Flexibility is a big deal too... And, for me, flexibility wise, the Bose comes in second to almost all of the others I've owned/used. All the other non Bose units in my experience have had multiple XLR/1/4" inputs...little planning needed...big deal. When I'm headed off to one of our smaller gigs and I grab one of my Yamaha units; StagePAS 500 or even my older Yamaha 150M, I have the inputs/flexibility I need to figure out what to do when I get there...big deal and a big reason the L1 Classic went bye bye. With my Bose units, past and present, I had to and now again have to think through connectivity wise/mixer wise how I'm going to use them before I/we go to the gig. Not a deal killer obviously but a hassle non the less. Even our Compact, with it's unique connectivity system; one separate XLR, one separate 1/4" jack causes me to ponder what I'm going to do if I need two 1/4" jacks to plug in a guitar and keyboard and I have room for only one small PA system. Perhaps some hybrid 1/4" to XLR cable? But why the need to bother? What gives with input system on the Compact? Would it have been so difficult to put two XLR/1/4" jacks in the thing like the Fishman Solo Amp? I've got mixers I can add to the Compact(more cables..more stuff to haul), I understand that. But my Yamaha stuff has that built in...so does the Fishman soloAmp. If sound was the only factor, my Yamaha units would go the way of the dinosaur and Bose would reign supreme. The lack of connectivity/flexibility in the Bose means I'll never get rid of the Yamaha's and I may still add the Fishman as well to our arsenal for the flexibility of connections...even though neither(Yamaha-Fishman) sound as good to me as the Compact. I understand Bose is saying we have this unique system. I agree, that's why I'm buying the second L1 system I've owned..it sounds great. Just wish my Bose was a flexible connectivity wise as my other systems have been. Thanks for letting me share. By the way...and I'm saying this because I think the L1 system is good... I'm now retired. In my working days, I used to work in research/production for a major company. The products we sold(multi-million $$$ products) were the best in the market...I know I tested them all including the competition. Sound wise..that's the way I view Bose...the best there is. But in our company, besides having the best performing product, it was also the easiest to use in almost all situations. If we ever did lose out to the competition, we lost(and this seldom happened), because the competition's product was more flexible to use then ours. Just an observation. Take care and thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate having this forum to share thoughts and observations. | ||||
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I keep hoping that Bose will see the light and make some changes to the Compact and Models I and II. The Compact and Model I needs the T1 port, and the Model II needs the Compact 2 channel mixer input section, as well as a way to utilize only one of the speaker columns, meaning a riser section like the Compact and the top half or a separate optional single top speaker. We need flexibility with our equipment. I love the concept of a "system" where each component is designed to work with the next, but I don't like it when it is a closed system that doesn't embrace mix and match for present needs. There is still nothing I would trade my L1s for, but there is always room for improvement. O.. | |||
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Oldghm, I know where you are coming from. Bose is good stuff. I wouldn't have written such a long post with my observations if I didn't think Bose was worth it. I would have just bought the Fishman SoloAMP...which I may still do instead of a 2nd Compact or buy the Fishman for flexibility instead of keeping the T1. I realize Bose is trying to do something proprietary here but I can't imagine it's worth market share.  Oh well, nuff said...most likely nothing will change...it is what it is. Bose is still the best sound wise...no doubt. | ||||
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L1® Users Forum Bose L1® Musicians General Forums L1® Family of Products Still in the options phase on the L1 compact.