I’m considering the purchase of a Bose L1 Model 1S with B2 and ToneMatch. Just some thoughts/ideas I wanted to touch on…
As we all know, no single solution will apply to every situation. As traveling entertainers, we encounter a lot of different scenarios. If I’m using the system for my solo gigs (guitar and vocals) I’m comfortable with just the Bose L1 system. But for weddings when I DJ and the speeches need to be heard on the complete opposite side of a venue that has me tucked in a corner and the room isn’t a rectangle, what are your thoughts on plugging in a powered (satelitte) speaker to ensure that everyone hears what the best man/maid of honor, etc. is saying? I’ve read that one can use the Master or Aux out of the T1 for this type of thing, but I’m wondering if people have used it for plugging in a different powered speaker instead of using it to plug in another L1. (I can’t really go by “up to 300 people” as on the advertisements - 90% of my weddings are 250 or under, but some rooms are acoustical nightmares!)
This past weekend for example. me and my current set up (QSC K10’s and my KW 181’s) were about 40’ away from the closest table, but well over 100’ from the furthest table. So I ended up putting a third K10 about 1/2 way in between me and the far side of the room to ensure everything was heard. If I use a single Bose L1 Model 1S with a B2 and Tonematch, can I use the master output or aux output from the T1 to run an additional speaker for this type of situation (not during dancing….just for speeches). And for events that need some extra “bump” it looks like I can simply plug in one of my KW 181 powered subs using the aux or master out…is that accurate?
Yes, I do it all the time. I use a Compact (wireless) off the Aux from the T1.
I will you though, a Model II seems to throw further than a 1S, and I think it’s worth the cost difference.
I also think the B2 is not all that great for DJing. IMO, you would be better off with multiple B1s or the new F1 Sub (which is powered).
Hi Daniel1975,
Thank you for joining the Forum.
quote:Originally posted by :
If I use a single Bose L1 Model 1S with a B2 and Tonematch, can I use the master output or aux output from the T1 to run an additional speaker for this type of situation (not during dancing….just for speeches). And for events that need some extra “bump” it looks like I can simply plug in one of my KW 181 powered subs using the aux or master out…is that accurate?
Great question.
Yes, you can use the T1® Aux Out as a source for a second powered loudspeaker that can be placed at a distance.
When you do this, you will want to synchronize the loudspeakers ( e.g. L1® and KW 10 for spoken word
T1® Digital Delay to Synchonize speaker systems at at distance
If you’re concerned about about being able to reach people 100 feet away for spoken word… A Model II will do that without blasting out the people closer to the front.
Does that help?
ST
quote:Originally posted by jaswrx:
Yes, I do it all the time. I use a Compact (wireless) off the Aux from the T1.
I will you though, a Model II seems to throw further than a 1S, and I think it's worth the cost difference.
I also think the B2 is not all that great for DJing. IMO, you would be better off with multiple B1s or the new F1 Sub (which is powered).
So you think 2 B1 Bass Modules are better for music playback (DJ) compared to a single B2? I thought I read somewhere on this forum that (maybe ST?) compared the sound of his the B2 to a 4-stack of the B1 modules...
And wireless? How the heck do you do that you evil genius????
quote:Originally posted by ST:
Yes, you can use the T1® Aux Out as a source for a second powered loudspeaker that can be placed at a distance.
When you do this, you will want to synchronize the loudspeakers ( e.g. L1® and KW 181 ) so that people who can hear both will not experience hearing them out of synch. Fortunately, you can do that with the T1®. Here's how.
T1® Digital Delay to Synchonize speaker systems at at distance
If you're concerned about about being able to reach people 100 feet away for spoken word... A Model II will do that without blasting out the people closer to the front.
Does that help?
ST
Very helpful...thanks! The more I read about the T1, the more I realize how powerful it is.
So I was considering the Model 1S based on the fact that I only DJ or play live music for folks in the 100-200 range (most of the time), but I see you stated a Model II...do you think the 1S doesn't have what it takes for my needs?
I still plan on keeping my QSC K10's (4 of them) and KW 181's (2 of them) for bigger events, but for the 90% I do in the 100-250 range, I was hoping to use the L1 exclusively. I could bring a KW 181 along with, but I'll probably end up getting a 2nd B2/Packlite so that I could use the Bose for almost all events. Eventually I may add another L1, but I don't know that I really need to based on everything I've read in the forums.
Oh…sorry about the duplicate post earlier, I had my ad blocking plug in running and thought I aborted the first submission!
sHi daniel1975,
quote:Originally posted by daniel1975:
So you think 2 B1 Bass Modules are better for music playback (DJ) compared to a single B2? I thought I read somewhere on this forum that (maybe ST?) compared the sound of his the B2 to a 4-stack of the B1 modules…
A common perception around here is that the B2 can sound as loud as 4 B1s. To get that much output you need an A1 PackLite Amp to power the third an fourth B1.
The B2 does sound different than four B1s. They have three different voicings.
This is how Bose explains it. B2 Bass Level Switch
The B2 bass module includes a switch allowing you to select the appropriate level of bass output for your application.
There are three settings:
Switch Position Application
Bass voicing designed for DJ/Music playback applications
Normal Bass voicing ideal for bass guitar or live sound application when mic’ing a kick drum
- Bass voicing which is perfect for acoustic guitar and vocal
Whether or not you like a B2 or four B1s is going to be a matter of personal preference including how you feel about carrying a B2 that weights about 40 pounds or several B1s at 25 pound each.
For my smaller gigs I just take a single B1 and I’m happy with it for acoustic guitar and vocals. It’s nice to be able to travel light. But if I’m doing prerecorded music for 100, I’ll take the B2.
Since you are planning to keep the KW 181, You may not need the B2. But then again the B2 is less than half the weight of the KW181 (88 pounds?!?!).
If your solo shows are typically 100 people or more, you’ll probably want at least two B1s and at that point the B2 is more cost effective.
quote:
And wireless? How the heck do you do that you evil genius???
Since I already had a wireless guitar rig, I used that the first time I had to run a remote powered loudspeaker. I do this fairly often and it works fine. I use a Compact as the remote, but I think the KW10 would be fine.
Hi again Daniel1975
quote:Originally posted by daniel1975:
Very helpful…thanks! The more I read about the T1, the more I realize how powerful it is.
So I was considering the Model 1S based on the fact that I only DJ or play live music for folks in the 100-200 range (most of the time), but I see you stated a Model II…do you think the 1S doesn’t have what it takes for my needs?
I still plan on keeping my QSC K10’s (4 of them) and KW 181’s (2 of them) for bigger events, but for the 90% I do in the 100-250 range, I was hoping to use the L1 exclusively. I could bring a KW 181 along with, but I’ll probably end up getting a 2nd B2/Packlite so that I could use the Bose for almost all events. Eventually I may add another L1, but I don’t know that I really need to based on everything I’ve read in the forums.
Here are a few things to consider:
- You may not need the Model II for all of your events but for 200 noisy people, you’ll want one. You could do a concert for 300 attentive people with a Model 1S, but if you’re competing with background noise - I think you’ll be happier with the Model II.
- The Model II supports bass expansion using an A1 PackLite amp to drive two B1s or a B2.
The Model 1S does NOT support this. If you’re thinking that you might want to add an A1 PackLite and second B2 - then get the Model II.
There’s some more food for thought. What do you think?
ST
A few things…
1. I would like to note that I have owned 4 10s like you and one KW. So I can really relate. Good system BTW!
2. I would not buy one of anything. If something goes out, there is a fault in a cable, there is a fault in the speaker, etc. etc., you are toasted. In the last 3 years, I have had bad luck, and if I didn’t have a 2nd L1, I could have possibly lost my business over night.
The Model II, IMO is worth purchasing b/c it definitely goes louder, noticeably too.
I can tell you that at MOST of the events I do, (weddings up to 200ish people on average)
one of anything BOSE makes is not enough.
2. I have owned B1s, B2s, and now B1s again.
I only used them for DJing and playback.
Here is my take after owing the system for 5 years.
If you are not going to use the T1, buy a B2. It has more flexibility with the switches and seems to work pretty well. However, when the T1 is paired with the B1, it rocks! The T1 presets were designed with the B1, so when you apply a preset such as the DJ preset (high or low volume), the B1 really shines and sounds much better than with no preset applied. The B2, however, doesn’t sound right with the presets. It gets pretty boomy and can sound obnoxious on some songs, even really old songs from Fran Sinatra as it will have a huge boost around 70-80, and another around 105. It’s got me into trouble a few times, and this was during dinner! The position just amplifies it even more.
I ran the T1 with the B2 for a couple of years, and once dialed in, it was decent, but always just a tad boomy no matter what I did, unless I was in the Minus, but then I didn’t get the SPL I needed. You can really hear it on the vocals, such when I MC. I had the DJ preset with bass at -5.5 and parametric EQ at 105hertz backed down to -6. I wish I could have made more adjustments at the 70, but the T1 only allows one Parametric setting at a time.
With the B1, it sounds a lot nicer, and truthfully, it sounds like it goes lower, probably since there is not such a peak in the mid bass. Hip hop sounds a lot better on the B1 too. A much richer sound.
I have done the whole comparison thing with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 B1s vs 1 or 2 B2s, and I don’t think what BOSE claims is quite accurate or a good representation on the truth. There are too many scenarios.
With no T1, YES, the B2 will always be louder, and in the position, I would say it was very similar to 3 B1s (loudness wise), but it just didn’t sound as good, and the extra SPL was not good sounding (upper mid bass), which I always dialed out anyhow. Once you EQ the B2, they get MUCH MUCH closer to each other.
With no surprise, I never ever found myself needing to adjust/EQ the B1. It sounds really nice with zero adjustments (other than putting the DJ preset on).
I personally think 3 B1s is every bit as loud as a B2 (once you dial out the boominess), and it sound a heck of a lot better doing it.
I think that the B2 would be great for live bands though b/c of the peaky mid bass. Would be great for kick drums, but for pre-recorded, it’s not even a question in my book in terms of sound quality.
I now (went back to) am using 6B1s, which replaced my pair of B2s, and ever since, I scratch my head wondering why I went to the B2 in the first place.
I think when something comes out, it’s easy to wanna “upgrade and justify it”, but once you get used to hearing it, and after owning the B1s a year or so before the B2 purchase, I never had any problems, and I normally ran 4 B1s (two per L1). Running 6 (with paclite) sounds awesome, but not needed. 4B1s sounds terrific when running a T1 and I think it is absolutely louder than one B2, ESPECIALLY once you dial out/EQ the B2.
quote:Originally posted by daniel1975:quote:Originally posted by jaswrx:
Yes, I do it all the time. I use a Compact (wireless) off the Aux from the T1.
I will you though, a Model II seems to throw further than a 1S, and I think it's worth the cost difference.
I also think the B2 is not all that great for DJing. IMO, you would be better off with multiple B1s or the new F1 Sub (which is powered).
So you think 2 B1 Bass Modules are better for music playback (DJ) compared to a single B2? I thought I read somewhere on this forum that (maybe ST?) compared the sound of his the B2 to a 4-stack of the B1 modules...
And wireless? How the heck do you do that you evil genius????
Ready my detailed response. It just depends, and of course sound is subjective.
I ran wireless by hooking the aux out to a wireless body pack transmitter (the kind you use for guitar or lapel mic) and the receiver mounts on the base of the Bose compact (in your situation) the top of the K-10. I use it nearly every gig.