For the past 4 years I have played a Ketron SD7 keyboard as my main "go-to" gig instrument. The SD7 got to be a bit heavy for me to use on gigs - I often do doubles and not at the same location. I decided to try a Ketron module so I first tried the SD90. I also tried the SD40 and decided to buy the SD40. I use the SD40 with a simple M-Audio 49 key controller which works really well with the SD40 - total weight of both is under 9 pounds! Along with this I use a single Bose L1 Compact. I am seriously thinking about replacing the L1 Compact with the new S1 Pro but I am not sure how it really compares to the L1 Compact regarding to sound distribution.

I place my L1 Compact on my RockNRoller cart and in some venues use both extensions and in some I use only one extension. I have used this speaker setup for nearly 10 years and have zero complaints but one - weight of the L1 Compact as compared to the S1 Pro.

Attached is a picture of my setup. My question is simple. If I place the S1 Pro on the RockNRoller cart like you see the L1 Compact in the picture do you think it would work?

Any advice is welcome and am looking for those with hands on experience to speak ups

Thanks,
Deane

Hi Deane,
I know you asked a question, however I am curious why you chose the SD40 over the SD90.
Thanks
Eric

Deane, I tested the Compact and the S1 pro in my garage, that’s where I can push the sound. Tested just for sound: Compact had a heavier/more in dept sound. The S1 had a thinner smaller sound.
Compact had more quality.

No other opinions, John C.
PS, interesting set up.

Eric,
There was nothing wrong with the SD90 but the SD40 is a module version of the SD7 which I played for nearly 4 years and had several thousand song setup already gig ready. They worked perfectly on the SD40. On the SD90 it would have taken me 6 months of several hours a day to convert them for the SD90. That was the only reason I selected the SD40. By the way, the S90 actually was an awesome module with just about any control for live playing you would want on the panel. I just didn't wish to spend the time again redoing my gig setups.

Deane

Bruno,
Did you try all the various positions of the S1 Pro and also add in the mixer options when you were testing it?

Deane

Thank you Deane.
Makes sense.
Eric

I put my S1's on short stands. Might work as you pictured...?


Owners and users of S1(like me) will tell you that S1 performs very well...and are a piece of cake to carry.


Don't miss my Bose Compacts at all. Also, the S1 is more versatile...more inputs etc.

Deane, I did not look for ways to make it work. All controls were centered.

John C.

I think Bose‘s own specifications can be taken seriously.

Bose L1 Compact has a maximum SPL of 106dB, peak 112dB.
https://assets.bose.com/content/dam/Bose..._l1_compact.pdf

Bose S1 Pro has a maximum SPL of 103dB, peak 109dB.

A difference of 3dB rougly equals a double wattage, whereas double sound pressure is +6dB and the psychoacoustic loudness requires a difference of 10dB to be perceived as twice as loud.
See attached graph from sengspielaudio.de

buy one ....try one first....if not return it before you sell the compact which IMO is so much more versatile in many ways.