I did an outdoor gig for a senior center today. When I arrived, there was a lady (who after the show told one of the seniors that she is booked into 2012) who was singing over MP3s with the Bose compact.

I thought she sounded pretty good. The sound wasn't perfect, but it had good presence in my opionion. It was my first time hearing this kind of Bose system.

Now I don't get a chance to hear myself perform. I was kind of nervous that my FBT's wouldn't cut the mustard. Also this lady had a very polished act, and mine is more quirky, so I was nervous.

My show went off very well. After I took my stuff down, I went to a table that had five seniors, and I told them that I was thinking of getting the sound system that the previous lady had, and I asked if my system sounded as good. One lady said bluntly, "Don't! Your system sounds much better. She sounded brassy, and you had a much more balanced sound." They all agreed that my system sounded much better.

Now I realize that we had different mics, that we are comparing her backup tracks to my Yamaha arrangements, and that she might not have been eq'd properly. Her setup was minimal, and I didn't see her mixer or FX system.

But I was happy to hear that my gear stacked up well, especially since I spent almost $1200 on these two speakers.

See http://www.fbtusa.net/files/Test_Report_10inch_Pow._Speakers_Tools_engl1.pdf for more info.

Beakybird

Larry,

If I were in your shoes, I would contact Bose, or go to the local GC and purchase an L1 Compact, take it home and try it out, using YOUR SETUP. As you are well aware, the number of performers that have any sound system knowledge at all is very small. It's very likely that she did nothing other than plug in her MP3 player and mic, adjusted the volumes and said to herself "Sounds good to me!" Give the Bose L1 Compact a try--you have 45 days to make up your mind, and if you don't like what you hear, take it back for a full refund--no questions asked. I know of no other manufacturer with that kind of offer.

Good Luck,

Gary

You need a pair of compact's, thats the way to go.

Impuls

+1.

Anything less and your playing in Mono. Virtual Stereo no more exists than Anti Ageing Cream. It's just marketing lies.

Two L1's sound seriously sweet. 6 of my friends are all paying with a pair now and two of them even doubled up on the Bins. What a sound...!!!!!

The L1's are fantastic, but you really nead a pair to hear the potential.

Just like listening to a speaker in mono vs stereo. You get as better idea of how it sounds in stereo.

James.

A pair of Compacts would still be cheaper than a new L1 mkI. If stereo is what you're after, two Compacts might be a winning duo. In that case, I would definitely consider a small stereo mixer or even the ToneMatch.

I've read that people using the Tonematch have experienced improved quality of sound, even on tradtional speakers.

It might pay you to check it (the Tonematch) out.

Why should I buy the Compact when the system I have already sounds great and already is in stereo.

Of course, two compacts will sound better than one. And four FBT Maxx 2A's will sound better than two. Or my Maxx 2A's with a small subwoofer, like the subwoofer that goes with my Logitech Z-5500, will sound better than just the two speakers.

Beakybird

You don't. Not unless your going to buy a two of them so you can play in stereo.

This is exactly why all the Ladies thought your sound was better. As I said, Virtual Stereo does not exist just like Anti Ageing Cream does not exist. Just just marketing hype.

Regards
James

Larry,

I've owned more than a dozen, high-quality, sound systems during the past two decades--all of which sounded good at the time, and they all served me very well during the time I used them. Until I took the Leap Of Faith and purchased the L1 I had no idea what could be accomplished using today's technology.

I HAVE used a pair of L1s, and yes, they sounded great. However, a pair of L1s didn't sound twice as good as a single L1. Not only did it add to the load I was already carrying, but additionally, the setup time increased as well. And, after setting up a pair of L1s, with a system placed 4-feet on each side of the keyboard, the only person that really benefited from stereo was ME! It only took a few seconds of walking throughout the huge venue to determine that the only perceptible change was in overall volume--the stereo effect was lost just 10 feet in front of the stage. AND, the audience could have cared less whether I was playing in stereo or mono--they were there to have a party and dance the night away, which is what they did. The second L1 went back to the place it was purchased the following day, and I have never looked back.

If you already own a sound system that sounds as good as the L1, provides the clarity and equal distribution of volume, then there is absolutely no reason for you to buy one--stick with what you have.

The Z-5500 is an outstanding, conventional, 5.1 surround-sound system. Performers throughout the world have been using them since the system became available--including myself. It's powerful, extremely clear and crisp, lightweight, and inexpensive. It can be modified to improve the midrange sounds, which both myself and Pose have demonstrated, the speaker connections can be changed to facilitate easier and faster setup times, and despite claims by non-owners about the system not being able to stand up to a heavy performance schedule, it seems to have held up quite well for thousands of full-time performers that are currently using it at a variety of venues.

The choice is yours. Stick with what you have, or try something new.

Good Luck on your decision,

Gary

Thanks Gary:

Using the Z-5500 alone would never be an option for me. Too many pieces. I don't think the sound quality is that great either. I did bring the subwoofer with me for an outdoor performance at a festival where I was competing with a lot of other noise, and my two FBT's plus the Z-5500 subwoofer sounded very good.

I am pretty happy with what I got.

I would be curious to hear how the L1 Model 2 sounds, not the compact. As it is twice the price of my two FBT's, I would be surprised if it didn't sound superior. But maybe my two FBT's with the Logitech subwoofer could give it a run for it's money.

Beakybird

You can't measure sound like that anyway. Adding more speakers does not double the quality.

The difference here is between mono vs stereo.

The bose systems are fantastic either way, but playing in true stereo makes a world of a difference to clarity and the separation of sound.

Anyone used to playing with a pair wouldn't play with just one set in a smaller venue. Well, that's what my friends say.

Adding more speakers doesn't double the quality, but it does improve the quality.

What is the Bose tower anyway but a bunch of tiny speakers, so the premise is that a bunch of tiny speakers improve quality and are superior to two pa speakers.

Anyway, I thought that the Bose Compact is overrated. I'm sure two of them would sound fantastic, but then, for my purposes, you're talking about serious money and serious setup time. For those who have the $$ and time, it might be a good choice.

Also, I think that a speaker like the FBT, that in critical tests was rated the very best 10" speaker made, paired with a Logitech subwoofer would probably sound just as good as two Bose compacts and one Bose subwoofer. Do the people who use two compacts pair it with two subwoofers?

Beakybird

Gary, I wish I could sum up things the way you do.

(Remind me to buy you a drink if I ever make it over to the good 'ole USA)

Hellboy,

Sounds like a winner to me. Green Banana Margaretta, stirred--not shaken. And, if I ever make it Down Under, the drinks are on me. Haven't been there since 1960, when I was a 20-year-old kid setting up a satellite tracking station in Woomera, SA. I'm sure things have changed a lot since then--the tracking site was in the middle of nowhere and I lived in a Hostel for about two months until the job was complete. I met a lot of wonderful people there, including a beautiful, young lady I almost married. WOW! How time flies.

Thanks again for the offer,

Gary

Most of us have stereos in our houses with the speakers no further apart than that (4ft away from center - 8ft total)... Often they are closer than that.

I guess we can all go and sell one of the speakers, if we can't hear any difference beyond ten feet.

Things like this are easy to test. Make two CD tracks from a CD rip. Leave one stereo, and make the other mono, and panned to one side. Play them both back to back, and get over ten feet from your stereo. Notice a difference?

Oh hell yes, things have changed completely.

We have indoor plumbing now.

(Still waiting for Electricity....... )

BTW, I'm not looking for the perfect stereo sound at the back of the room, but I WOULD like a nice spacious sound (kind of what you would hear if you were listening to a REAL band) for those on the dancefloor...

And that is what my PA achieves. I have certainly been out front listening to my sequences, playing (from direct recordings), and break CD's. And I can DEFINITELY hear it is stereo from considerably further back than 10 feet! Admittedly, I tend to place them further than 8 feet apart (usually play duo, anyway!), but most venues are capable of that even if you are playing solo.

In the brief few days that I've owned the Compact I have changed my mind regarding the Bose L1 line. They are definitely a new direction in technology and they definitely do produce some very satisfying sound out of those contraptions. And they are relatively expensive for what they do.

I've used many good PA systems and there is no doubt one can be completely satisfied with the output of a well EQ'd and setup system. I thought my recent small setup of CM-30's and an EV sub (if necessary) was quite good. it was only three pieces and a few cables. The Compact, though, is my new system of choice. Why would I pay $1000 to replace a perfectly good system? I think I can only explain it by saying that the sound is appealing, the weight factor is way in my favor and, hell, I guess I just plain ol' like it.

I feel that those who are happy with their present systems should probably stick with them, but should make every effort to listen to a Compact used in a similar circumstance to your own and then try one for a job or two. It's a very subjective decision and only you can justify the payout/payback equation. I happened to sacrifice a keyboard for my Compact and am happy I did.

BTW Gary, seeing as you mentioned your Background in the Land of Oz, you should definitely check out a movie called "The Dish".

It's a "Gentle" Comedy about the story of how the Parkes Observatory was used to relay the live television of man's first steps on the moon, during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

Not exactly the same "what and when" you were doing back in '60, but you would undoubtedly get a (little) kick out of watching it...

Thanks Hellboy--I'll check it out.

Gary