Gang -
Used my old faithful Classic L1 and a b2 for my wedding. It has the updated presets via the DVD loaded in.
58 has OMG bass but at the expense of mids/highs. 57 has OMG bass at low volumes but once it gets louder, bass drops off.
Towards end of the event, turned the presets to zero and it sounded better. Punchy bass and decent mids/highs.
I did not try the /- nor do I have an Alphex unit.
In some ways, the 2 B1s sound better vs the single B2. But the tradeoff is easier to carry and setup.
But probably won’t use the B2 as a riser b/c the stand gets some plenty vibration from the bass.
That will limit creative setups for now.
Now off to test today for a 200 person wedding.
Hi Ed:
Thanks for the report. I’m a single L1/M2 user, currently with 2 B1’s. i"m considering going with the single B2 so I’ll anxiously await your report regarding the 200 wedding set-up.
Pictures too please… 
I admit that I have NOT heard the B2. I’m sure it’s a great product. However, I’m perfectly happy with my L1 Classic and 2 B1s. The sound is great, and easily tweekable for different acoustic environments. In my opinion, it seems a bit much that people have purchased the B2 AND an aural exciter to get the desired bass effect.
I mean no offense to those that have gone this route, it’s just not for me.
My experience is that the B2 definately adds a lot more bottom end when compared to the B1’s and that’s an improvement for me.
The Aphex improves both and not just at the bottom end.
Used it again today. Kept on preset 00 and fed it a signal from a wireless rcvr.
Venue staff could not believe how clear the sound was yet and did not see a single wire.
This time, did not have the L1 on top of the B2 but next to it, but I was impressed w/ the bass.
The only caveat is boundary cancellation. That will limit your bass.
Sorry, no pictures. 
quote:Originally posted by BT:
I admit that I have NOT heard the B2. I'm sure it's a great product. However, I'm perfectly happy with my L1 Classic and 2 B1s. The sound is great, and easily tweekable for different acoustic environments. In my opinion, it seems a bit much that people have purchased the B2 AND an aural exciter to get the desired bass effect.
I mean no offense to those that have gone this route, it's just not for me.
I completely agree with your position on this. Bose should provide a software update for the Model 1 that allows full operation of the B2 but it doesn't look like this is going to happen any time soon so I gotta do what I gotta do.
I acquired a used Exciter off Ebay last night.
quote:I completely agree with your position on this. Bose should provide a software update for the Model 1 that allows full operation of the B2 but it doesn't look like this is going to happen any time soon so I gotta do what I gotta do.
Lou like I said before in the other post... I don't think Bose could offer an update that would give us these results.
The reason I say this is, by using this unit in between our audio source & the L1, we are upgrading the the sound quality going to the L1. It just reacts accordingly. So basically there could be no update that would improve the source audio quality, because that is impossible...
Hi Lou D,
quote:Originally posted by Lou
I acquired a used Exciter off Ebay last night.
I hope that works out well for you.
I’d like to reply to this issue.
quote:Originally posted by Lou
…
Bose should provide a software update for the Model 1 that allows full operation of the B2 but it doesn’t look like this is going to happen any time soon …
Speaking as an owner of the Model I/Classic using it with a B2 bass module, and addressing whether or not we have full use of the B2 as compared to using a Model II or Model 1S. (“Bose should provide an update”). Note: I also own the Model 1S and Model II.
I think that we can be fully operational without an update. We don’t need an update or additional support to use the B2 and to have performance on par with the Model 1S and Model II.
What you would get with a Model 1S or Model II with the new firmware update
The new firmware for the Model II (already pre-loaded on the Model 1S) gives Model II owners one new EQ setting that we did not have before (the B2 Bass Level Switch in the ( ) position turns this on. The other settings could be accessed by connecting B1s and connections to the Bass Line Out.
Please note: That new EQ setting is fixed (not variable)
The Model 1S and Model II do NOT have the R1 Remote that we as owners of Model I / Classics do.
What we have as Model I / Classic owners
We as owners of the Model I / Classic have always had the R1 Remote and the Bass control that gives us /- 10 dB low pass filter at 40 Hz for Channels 1 and 2 along with the same Bass EQ settings that came with the original release of the Model II. (accessed by adding B1s or using the Bass Line Out).
I don’t think that the Model I / Classic owner is left without support for the B2. We can’t use the B2 Bass Level Switch in exactly the same way as the owners of the Model 1S and Model II, but we don’t need it to get great results with the B2. We have always had more control over the bass output than you get with the Model II and now Model 1S. That continuously variable control over the bass output is the R1 Remote.
I’m not getting any more (with respect to bass) out of my Model 1S or Model II, than I can get with my Classic. I just get to use the (continuously variable) Remote instead of flipping the (fixed, three position) switch on the B2. I actually CAN use the switch on the B2, but that’s an entirely different conversation. I’m working on a different set of tests and I’ll document that later.
Owners of the Model I / Classic already have what we need to be fully operational with B2. We just get to access the changes to bass EQ in a different way.
previous post on which this is based
edit: Please also see: Is the B2 Bass Module Compatible with the L1® Classic or Model I
quote:Originally posted by ProfLowery:
Hi Ed:
Thanks for the report. I'm a single L1/M2 user, currently with 2 B1's. i"m considering going with the single B2 so I'll anxiously await your report regarding the 200 wedding set-up.
Pictures too please...
If it means anything, I used a single model 2 with my B2 yesterday at an HOA gig outdoors and got the OMG effect from 1/4 mile down the street
Apologies if I missed it…
It would be nice if someone from Bose came on their forum and explained why those using the Classic or Model 1 have a loss in mids when using the B2 Vs using the B1.
Is there an official Bose policy on this? The silence is deafening and could lead one to think this is simply planned obsolescence for the Model 1.
Hi Lou,
I’ll leave the “policy issue” to Bose.
With respect to the “loss of mids”, there is nothing going on with the B2 that should affect the mids UNLESS you put the B2 Bass Level Switch to the - (minus) position. This is not recommended. edit - adding - Reference: Is the B2 Bass Module Compatible with the L1® Classic or Model I
If you put the B2 Bass Level Switch in the Normal position (the only position supported for the Classic/Model I) there should be NO impact on the sound from the Cylindrical Radiator®s.
quote:Originally posted by Lou
Apologies if I missed it…
It would be nice if someone from Bose came on their forum and explained why those using the Classic or Model 1 have a loss in mids when using the B2 Vs using the B1.
Is there an official Bose policy on this? The silence is deafening and could lead one to think this is simply planned obsolescence for the Model 1.
edit typing “lose” -> “loss”
Lou,
With my MII tests, I felt mids were mostly all I had with the new B2 setup.
Lou,
I’ve asked a couple engineers, but no one has stepped forward yet. In my experience with the Classic, I had too much low mids around 140 Hz when I performed with a band. I didn’t notice this with pre-recorded music, but I’m sure it was there. Is that what you’re hearing?
I should say that I asked the engineers to answer some questions in different threads about the B2 and EQ.
The Bose L1 system from the very beginning, was designed to be proprietary. Hence, adding B1 modules resulted in eq changes that would keep the tonal spectrum and balance of the system consistent. We have all been accustomed and conditioned to the sound of the system when used with B1 modules (be it 1, 2, 4 or 8). The B2 is a totally different animal. Different drivers mean a whole different sound. Thus, the use of a B2 modules means that the tone of the entire system WILL CHANGE (if everything else is kept constant). Bose compensated for this by updating the eq in the Model 2 & 1S. The new eq update simply makes the system as a whole retain the tonal balance EVEN WITH the new B2 module. Whether this goal has been accomplished is still up in the air.
For those of us who like the sound of the system when used with B1s, the answer is to keep using the B1s. Even with the switch and eq updates, two 10" drivers with simply not act in the same way as two 5.25" drivers when it comes to moving air. Equalization settings can change, but not the laws of physics.
quote:Originally posted by musicnmotion:
.................. Different drivers mean a whole different sound. Thus, the use of a B2 modules means that the tone of the entire system WILL CHANGE (if everything else is kept constant). Bose compensated for this by updating the eq in the Model 2 & 1S. The new eq update simply makes the system as a whole retain the tonal balance EVEN WITH the new B2 module. ..............
Hi musicnmotion,
Are you suggesting that the system EQ in the Model II has changed?
I was under the impression that there are new EQ curves that apply to and are triggered by, the B2, but, the system high range EQ (everything above the crossover point) did not change.
I thought the intention of the B2 was to provide a more bass heavy option for those desireing it, in fact, to change the tonal balance of the system.
Please clarify, and correct me if I am wrong.
O..
Hi Oldghm, Musicnmotion
The Model II Power Stand firmware update 1.4 and System EQ 1.04 (preinstalled in the Model 1S), DO NOT affect the operation of the Cylindrical Radiator®s in any way.
The only thing affected is the operation of the Model II Power Stand bass subsystem when the B2 Bass Level Switch is set to either the minus or plus modes (but not when set to Normal).
Reference: Model II Power Stand Firmware Update version 1.4 (changes)
quote:Originally posted by Tom Munch:
Lou,
I've asked a couple engineers, but no one has stepped forward yet. In my experience with the Classic, I had too much low mids around 140 Hz when I performed with a band. I didn't notice this with pre-recorded music, but I'm sure it was there. Is that what you're hearing?
Tom,
I'm only hearing what others on this DJ KJ forum are posting about the B2 and Model 1's. I have not had an opportunity to give mine a thorough testing.
We just relocated to FL from Nathrop, last month,and the only event we had was a 50th anniversary where the volume never came up to true party levels.
But our photo booth is keeping us very busy!
Hi All,
I wanted to clarify a few things that I’ve seen througout this thread.
First, as we developed the B2 we went out of our way to make sure it could work with the Model I/Classic. For many reasons it was not technically feasible to provide the same level of fucntionality as the Model 1S/II systems. That’s said we felt that limited B2 compatabiliyt would be better than zero compatabiliy. Additionally, we have been 100% tranparent with respect to the limitations. The functionality is called out in the manual and online.
Additionally, there is no planned firmware update for the Model I/Classic systems that would provide additional functionality with the B2. I appolodize incorrect information was provided thorugh the PTS group.
As always, thank you for purchasing our and using our products. Please, feel free to respond should you have any additional questions.
Craig
quote:Originally posted by Craig-at-Bose:
Hi All,
I wanted to clarify a few things that I've seen througout this thread.
First, as we developed the B2 we went out of our way to make sure it could work with the Model I/Classic. For many reasons it was not technically feasible to provide the same level of fucntionality as the Model 1S/II systems. That's said we felt that limited B2 compatabiliyt would be better than zero compatabiliy. Additionally, we have been 100% tranparent with respect to the limitations. The functionality is called out in the manual and online.
Additionally, there is no planned firmware update for the Model I/Classic systems that would provide additional functionality with the B2. I appolodize incorrect information was provided thorugh the PTS group.
As always, thank you for purchasing our and using our products. Please, feel free to respond should you have any additional questions.
Craig
Thank you for the official clarification.