Hi O,

The porchboard works fine through the compact. It's not great but very usable. After hearing it through 2 B1s or even the extended package with 4, it's hard to compare.

In the size rooms that the compact is designed for it does its work quite well. It's like any other low bass info, it probably sounds better in certain areas of the room.

I only used it on 3 or 4 songs in my program today but it definitely added to the sound. I'll be interested to hear your comments when you get to try one. Don't you use 4 b1s with your rig? If so, I think it will be hard to give that up on a regular basis. However, I think the low end on the compact will surprise you. I put a keyboard through it this afternoon and was quite pleased with the piano, strings, electric piano, and even the acoustic bass patches.

I really love the quick set up and light weight.
I think it's a winner.

Rick

My first gig was last night in a horrible acoustic venue. I used the L1c with the T1 and my Tom Anderson Crowdster Plus. The Crowdster is really bassy, so I had to do a lot of initial tweakig to get rid of the bass. After about three songs, I found the tone I was looking for.

Vocals sounded exquisite through the system. It was plenty loud for this noisy restaurant--in fact one old lady-80s-told the waitress the music was too loud. I turned down and on the way out she gave me a look that could best be described as the rear end of a cat.

Everything sounded crystal clear. The bass was plenty for my application. Setup was a breeze. Two trips to the car as opposed to four with my model 2. I could make it in one trip if I forego my pedalboard.

My Taylor GACE Fall Limited was in the shop. I'll get that after school today and use it for a realatively big Simon and Garfunkel tribute show. I'm convinced this system will be sufficient for even that show.

I have tonight off and am going to experiment. I foresee playing without the T1 at times. But having the flexibility to tweak certain frequencies is a comfort--not to mention the other benefits of the T1.

Noise? Not from my system. Quiet.

The unit was on stage with me and very close which may have added to my initial struggles with it being bassy. I blame that on the Crowdster, however.

The best part for me: carrying the unit inside: it was so light and freeing. I figuratively danced into the venue--much like Maria at the opening of Sound of Music.

My hat is off to you folks at Bose. This is exactly what I had been hoping you'd produce since the early days of the Model 1.

My wife was in attendnance and walked to the back of the noisy restaurant and said that it was clear in back. I'm sure not as loud as the model II, but I didn't expect it to be.

This unit came at just the right time for me. I wanted something smaller, tried the solo amp in a store, and was not used to the Fishman sound after so many years with the clarity and richness of the L1s.

Tonight I'll use my Taylor and I think I'll likely die and go to heaven. It'll be an easy trip with the L1c. By the way, if you head up there, I'll be on Cloud 9. Stop by and listen for awhile. I'll play Knockin' On Heaven's Door.

By the way, Bose Boys,
Thanks for listening. I wrote the following in 2006.

[Posted Tue June 27 2006 08:35 PM
Friends,
I absolutely love my Bose L1 and one bass system. Great sound. Now I know I am going to sound spoiled, but this is what I want!

I want a smaller system that is geared toward small restaurants/clubs. It needs to be infinitely portable. One trip from the car.

I've been playing a weekly gig and find that all of the pieces of the L1 (plus two guitars and all of the effects/cords/micstand/guitarstand) make for quite a setup/teardown each night.

I am trying to get this club to purchase their own Bose system for permanent use.

I am serious in desiring a Smaller system for small clubs.]

In the same thread, I wrote:

Posted Wed June 28 2006 09:22 AM Hide Post
You're right, of course. I used a pair of Klipsch Industrial Heresy speakers. Each one weighed six tons. Try lifting those behmoths onto speaker stands.

I still want a small, uber portable Bose PAS.

AND...I want an Oompa Loompa and I want it NOW!

and...

[Posted Thu June 29 2006 09:46 AM Hide Post
Steve,
For some of the places a solo guitarist/singer performs, the L1/B1 is beautiful overkill (and it's killing my back loading and unloading each week).

What I'd like to see is something one half the size and weight. Perhaps the speakers could attach to the unit when packed up. I realize there are traditional PAs in this modest size, but I don't want no stinking traditional PA.

What do you think?]

Now I have everything, I asked for except one thing: an Oompa Loompa. I still want an Oompa Loompa, and I want it NOW!

Well, I ordered an L1c on Sunday and received it on TUESDAY (I'm in CT). This thing is very cool. It sounded great when I demoed it in the Bose store; seemed to have a lot more OOOMPH than I expected. I'm a bass player, so I demoed it with my passive Fender J bass and an SM58 (oh-oh!!!). I usually use an Audix OM-5 when gigging, but when I headed out to the Bose store the 58 was on top of the mic pile, so I took that.
The bass sound was suprisingly full without any preamp and very articulate. The 58 sounded crisp but full and had good low end inside the store. I always use close-micing technique when singing. Today, I had a chance to setup the Compact outside. I hooked up my iPod and played some pre-recorded material. WOW, the volume was suprising again. Some of my neighbors looked through their windows at me to see what was happening. The low response was decent even at 20 yards away. This was while playing some Marley-era reggae.
Overall, I'm very happy with this unit so far. I'll be trying it at gigs starting this weekend. I have 2 Classics that I bring to gigs now; 1 for my bass, vocal, and e-drums with 4 B1's, and 1 for 2 horns with either no or 2 B1's depending on room size. I think I'll try the Compact at my Saturday night gig for the horns. I'll give a report on this later.

Earthworm, if I remember correctly it was either yourself or to someone else with a similar request to whom Ken replied something to the effect of, "We're listening".

Guess they were.

Hi earthworm,

It is people like you that inspired us to work on what's now known as the L1 Compact system.

It's one of the great (mutual, I believe) benefits of the interactions that occur in this online community.

THANK YOU.

Ken

The "we're listening" response was directed at my desire for a smaller system.

Ken,
The way you guys handle the forum is a testimony to what a great company you are and how dedicated you are to developing cutting-edge technology. Thanks for listening and making the dream of a small Bose system come true.

It has thus far exceeded every expectation I had. I can't wait to try it tonight with my Taylor.

I really expect to play some gigs with just a mic, mic stand, cords, and the L1c. Everything in one trip. Setup in 2 minutes. Teardown in 2 minutes. Great Bose sound. Happy listeners.

Now, if you are still listening: What about an Oompa Loompa. I want an orange faced one, not like that weird one in the Johnny Depp remake.

I just got my Taylor back from the shop. It is a 2008 Fall Limited GACE Cocobolo. I plugged a mic (SM58 Beta) and the Taylor in direct--not through the T1.

I was blown away by the pure, clear Bose sound. Just amazing.

Next, I'm going to start experimenting with my T1.

Bose folk,
You hit a homer with this product.

I had to carry and set up in my basement. What a breeze. The base is much easier to carry than a B1. The attachments, feather light.

I think I'm in love...it must be spring.

quote:

originally posted by rjw
The porchboard works fine through the compact. It's not great but very usable. After hearing it through 2 B1s or even the extended package with 4, it's hard to compare.

Hi Rick, happy to see you are finding the L1 Compact to your liking. I appreciate this info on the Porchboard. I've been regularly playing with an old country band, and they love the porchboard, and call me every time they get together now.

I have really been thinking of the C, many uses have been coming to mind, but especially this low volume country type of band. The only thing is, we've GOT to be able to use the Porchboard...it's become indispensable.

I have used the PB with only a single B1 powered by a Model II powerstand (didn't use the towers) and it was fine. Do you think the L1C's bass *tone* would be close to the single B1 tone?

Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DrumrPete,

rain

quote:

6 Compacts arrived at the store yesterday!

calgary sound

quote:

Which store?

My local guitar center store said they will only special order the compact L1.
So why should I special order from GC when I can order direct from Bose?
Guitar center could have had me in their store today,spending money in their store..oh well.....So where is everyone getting their compacts from...Bose?
harry Dancing Dog Muse
On a whim I called my local Bose store in millburn nj...they said they are not for sale until May 14

My Local Guitar Center will not have a demo unit, they will only special order as well.

I told them in that case I will just deal directly with Bose and that's ok with me, I just wanted to give you guys first shot....you should have seen the look on the guys face...LOL

I told him they will be missing the boat on a product that will soon become their number one Bose Product. I think most of the personnel are still old school PA guys and are going to stay that way.

Hey Pete,

I think it would be fine with the group you are talking about. The lower end of the frequency range on the L1c is a little higher than the B1 but it still has enough body in the tone to make a difference with the pb.

I would recommend you get one from Bose and give it a try. I had mine outside today and was really amazed (again) at how good it sounded out to about 40 ft. from the unit. It gets very loud for its size. It drops off quicker than big brother but it's still much better than the old stuff.

I'll be eager to hear your opinion when you try one. BTW I saw a video of you and the band. It looks like a lot of fun.

My best,
Rick

Harry and Flipper,

I got my L1c from Bose. Guitar center is so hard to get a good demo because of the noise level in the room plus the general bias toward the old style systems.

Just go with Bose and get the 45 day trial. You won't be sorry.

Rick

I own an L!, and was interested in the Compact. Artisan Guitars in Franklin, TN got them in last week, and I bought a new compact on the 7th. I used it for a gig that night.
First, I love my L1, but the Compact takes seconds to set up, and I can carry it along with my guitar and mike stand into a gig. I had it in a corner, all the way extended and I was about 2 feet from it, standing. Unlike the L1, the sound is not great until you get about 5 feet from it, if it is fully extended. So what I heard was not what the crowd heard in this set up. I received many compliments from the crowd when I took a break, regarding my sound. I was not too impressed, but I had to realize that it is not the L1, and you need a little distance.
I originally thought I might sell my L1, but I love my L1, and I think I will use it for outdoor gigs, and bigger venues, and use the compact for smaller gigs, lower paying gigs, pool parties, and definitely a home unit for practice and listening to music. From what I can tell, the Compact has plenty of power. I was only on about, maybe 4, and use a mackie mixing board. I do think a T1 is necessary for this unit. I may get that next. I did play straight through the Compact, no board, and that seemed to work well, also.
I feel I now have extreme versatility, by owning both units. The lighter and easier, the better, however I want great sound. I have the best of all worlds, I feel. I only use 2 channels, guitar/vocal.
Again, standing next to it when it's fully extended is not optimal for the musician, but the crowd hears how great the system is. I look forward to playing out every time I use my Bose system, and now when the bar has their own sound, I think I'll still bring my Bose.

www.suttonparks.com

Great report..thanks

I took a chance on the L1c tonight with a Simon and Garfunkel tribute gig with about 100 people in attendance. This was a concert setting. People were there mostly to listen. The owner seemed a bit skeptical when I set it up; our agent happened to be there and he was talking up how great Bose products are (I think he was nervous). I got everything hooked up. Adjusted the faux-Garfunkel's mic. Off we went. I used the T1.

The results: fantastic. I had a chance to listen as my duo partner played "April Comes She Will" solo on my Taylor. I walked around the room and it was the Bose sound I expected--just like my classic and my model 2.

Setup and teardown? A breeze.

I am really happy. Anyone want to buy a Model 2?

I see some of you are using your T1 with the L1 Compact. Do the speaker extensions of the L1C have a slot in them which can accept the bracket for holding the T1, like on the Model I & II speakers? I'm just curious...

O and Pete,

I took some time this morning to put the compact side by side with a model II with 1 or 2 b1s.
The compact did very well in the comparison with pre recorded music. The model 2 carried better to the back of the room(of course) and had a smoother mid range but all in all the compact was great in this room with seating for about 100.

However, the porchboard was a different story. There was a big difference when you hear them side by side. It seems that the model II and B1s were made for the porchboard. It was much richer and the extended response of the B1 was much more evident on the porchboard than the pre recorded stuff.

That's not to say that the compact didn't sound good. It did, but it can't compete with the B1 nor should we expect it to. I still maintain that the use of the porchboard with the compact can be effective, but try before you buy if the porchboard is real important to your sound.

I'll be eager to hear what you think when you try one.

I still really love my new compact!!!

Rick

Thanks for that in-depth look Rick, I appreciate it much.
The Porchboard is definitely at the heart of my use for a Compact.