Bose simply assume (and all their pics seem to show it) that the Compact is for a standing acoustic guitarist, at ground level. Surely getting rid of ONE of the extensions for a raised, sitting keyboard player would put the array at roughly the same position? With respect to not only the public's, but also the performer's ears...
I have to admit, also, that Bose would be unlikely to cut their own throats by bringing out a competing product to the L1 line that was close to indistinguishable, but well over HALF the price. My take is, if you can't hear a big difference, you aren't cranking them up far enough! And play music with virtually no bottom end already
[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 05-19-2009).]