We decided to take some time out to talk about one of the loudspeaker PA systems we have used a number of times both internally and at events/expos. Something that is both compact and easy to setup, and doesn’t break the bank when it comes to having everything you need (in certain situations) to get started.
By this, we are referring to Bose’s L1 company PA system, which features a stick-like style loudspeaker with a sub at its base, that unpacks and sets up within a minute or so depending on familiar you are with it. The backside of the sub features basic mix controls to get started with, and you are good to go if all you are feeding it is a single mic and/or instrument (any inputs beyond that and you will then need an external mixer). For basic situations, it is quite user-friendly.
The L1 system is easy to pack away and carry without any help from a second pair of hands. The actual speaker that slides into the sub/base is modular, allowing you to build it out into its tall form, or slide only the top piece into the sub so that the finished product is no larger/taller than its base. The sections of the tall speaker that give it its height are actually spacers/extensions that are dummy parts to give it height, which is helpful for larger rooms or standing space. Using its smaller format is best for smaller rooms and where it isn’t sitting on the floor (it, sitting it on a table, shelf or something similar). There are no cables to connect between the speaker and it’s base since all of the connectivity is built-in. The only thing you have to plug in is your source (mic, instrument, etc).
Coming from a company like Bose, you can expect a certain level of performance and quality from these speakers. Bose specializes in spatial dispersion solutions that have a huge focus on mid-highs and highs, delivering quite a bit of volume without distortion. Quite a popular go-to brand when you are looking to keep a small footprint, as most of their solutions are quite small in size.
With the L1, it does all of this and more thanks to the sub. However, you do miss out on a lot of the mid-range. This system focuses mostly on highs, mid-highs and some lows with an absence of mid range for the most part. It is great for speaking (ie, general announcements or presentations) and singing (vocals), but music would be limited to certain types of instruments that mostly depend on your mid-high to higher frequencies. A kick drum or bass guitar wouldn’t sound so well, however a keyboard or violin would sound fantastic. So you most likely won’t be using this for a lot of DJing or band performances.
Thankfully, it still has a lot of uses that it can be used for, and it comes at a solid price tag of just $1000 (one speaker and one sub as a set). A tall price to some, but it is a good price point for a PA solution that comes with everything to get started, included being self-powered and basic mix controls on the back (and the fact that it is coming from Bose). Both price and features makes it a hot ticket item for small meeting spaces, announcements, exhibit booths, karaoke parties, dorm events, fancier street performers, and so forth.
If you plan to have multiple inputs/sources feeding them, you are best with adding in a small mixer as it only have two inputs. The first input is a mic-level input for a microphone (XLR), and the second input (mic or line level switchable) is for an instrument or digital source (you can choose from 1/4-inch, RCA (stereo) or a 3.5mm aux input (for smartphones, laptops, etc). Adding a mixer to the setup would allow for additional inputs and better control over your EQ for each. This is also useful depending on what type of microphone you are using. A durable dynamic mic like a Shure SM58 can plug directly into it just fine. However, if you are using a sensitive lav/lapel or podium mic, you would be best with an external EQ as it is much easier for these to experience feedback (especially if you get close to these speakers with them). This is common with any speaker, but we found these to be more prone to feedback if they are too close to the speaker, leading to less headroom in certain scenarios (so don’t put them right next to a podium, despite them being in front/ahead of the speaking person).
It does have its own output, allowing you to send to another speaker via 1/4-inch, where you can daisy as many as you’d like together. It also has RCA analog outs for other purposes like recording.
Our Conclusion
A fantastic solution for small meeting spaces, announcements, exhibit booths, karaoke parties, dorm events, fancier street performers, and so forth. They sound good and they are super friendly when it comes to dragging them around, setting them up or taking them back down. A single person can do all of it without any help from others if needed, and in certain scenarios, they are ready to go without any other gear other than your source inputs (microphone, instrument, etc). The L1 system isn’t perfect as its range and volume wouldn’t be good for actual band performances, but it still has a long list of uses that makes it a good option for many, especially for the price.
| Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bose | |
Our Rating | Average Price* $999 |
*Average price is based on the time this article was published
Specifications:
- L1 Compact power stand w/loudspeaker array:16.5″ H x 13.25″ W x 16.75″ D (24.6 lbs)
- L1 Compact loudspeaker array:16″ H x 2.75″ W x 2.75″ D (3.0 lbs)
- Each L1 Compact extension:32.5″ H x 2.75″ W x 2.75″ D (2.3 lbs)
- Collapsed position (assembled):16.5″ H x 13.25″ W x 16.75″ D (24.6 lbs)
- Extended position (assembled):78.5″ H x 13.25″ W x 16.75″ D (29.2 lbs)
In the box:
- L1 Compact power stand
- Power stand/loudspeaker array slip cover
- L1 Compact loudspeaker array
- L1 Compact extensions
- Power stand cord
- Extensions carrying bag
Are you a manufacturer or distributor that would like us to test something out for review? Contact us and we can let you know where to send the product and we will try it out.
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2 Comments
My office Suite has a lobby/reception area about 15’ x 20’ and we host an annual holiday party. We have used a traditional PA setup with 2 speakers on tripods, mixer, mics, lots of cables for a jazz trio or quartet and vocalist(s). Time consuming to set up and take down. And the guitarist brings his own amp. Do you think the band (guitar, acoustic bass, keyboard and drums) and vocalists would sound fabulous using only the Bose L1? Thanks for your reply. Jeff Kitaeff (North Andover, MA)
Hello Jeff. I would think that the two speakers you have would provide better sound, assuming that they are your typical full-range speakers (and not small, entry-level options from companies slike Behringer). This is only because of there being so much behind the music going on there. You would like miss the mid-range that you don’t really get with a Bose system. The highs and lows would sound great, but missing the mids does take away from the music experience. That’s why at most, we felt these were best for karaoke parties when it comes to music.