Using B1 with a Different Sound System

Portable PA
1

I am not very technical and I hope someone helps with me with simple instructions to follow. I own L1 Model II with B2 Bass Module. I currently work in a venue where there's a sounds system in place but it's lacking a subwoofer. The sound system is permanently installed and I am only given access to a sound mixer that is connected to it. Can I use my B2 with a sound system like this? I don't understand how I can get the B2 powered. Any advice would be very much appreciated. 

2

What is the house system and what style/instruments do you play? 

3

Hi Alex,

Welcome to the Bose Portable PA Community.  Thanks for the interesting question.

Alex posted:

I am not very technical and I hope someone helps with me with simple instructions to follow. I own L1 Model II with B2 Bass Module. I currently work in a venue where there's a sounds system in place but it's lacking a subwoofer. The sound system is permanently installed and I am only given access to a sound mixer that is connected to it. Can I use my B2 with a sound system like this?

The short answer is: No, the B2 bass module is part of an integrated system and it was engineered to work (only) with an L1 Model 1S or L1 Model II.



I don't understand how I can get the B2 powered. Any advice would be very much appreciated. 

The shorter and longer (and equally unsatisfying answer) is: It depends.

As part of an integrated system, the B2 relies on the L1 power stand for

  • Power
  • Crossover network so the B2 gets only the frequencies below 200 Hz
  • Equalization to shape the sound it receives
  • Protection (a limiter to protect the drivers in the B2)



To replicate that with a different sound system at the venue, you would need



  • Power
    • A separate power amp like a Bose A1 Packlite (250 watts into 4 ohms)
  • A digital signal processor to provide
    • Crossover network so
      • the B2 gets only the frequencies below 200 Hz
      • the house system gets only the frequencies above 200 Hz
    • Equalization to shape the sound the B2 receives
    • Protection (a limiter to prevent the drivers in the B2)



Bose makes devices that do everything in the second point above - but not for the B2 because it was engineered to work with the L1 systems.

Another approach

Connect a line-level output from the house sound system to the Model II Power Stand Analog Input.  Connect the Power Stand to the B2, and optionally, run the system without the Cylindrical Radiator® (the tower). You won't damage the system running it without the Cylindrical Radiator®.

Does that help?
ST

4

ST I never thought of using the power stand with a B1/2 and no tower. That’s an interesting alternative. 

5

Without knowing what you play and other info any advice has to be pure speculation. But, if you only play acoustic guitar and vocals for example if the house PA has 'conventional' speakers a sub is not going to do anything.

But, why don't you just take your L1 Model II and just use that on it's own? That way you are completely in control of your own sound>

6

I didn't know you COULD run an L1 power stand without the tower...

Makes sense though -- that's how I would design it...

7

Flick the switch on the back of the B2 to the top position. Try that

8
ST posted:

Hi Alex,

Welcome to the Bose Portable PA Community.  Thanks for the interesting question.

Alex posted:

I am not very technical and I hope someone helps with me with simple instructions to follow. I own L1 Model II with B2 Bass Module. I currently work in a venue where there's a sounds system in place but it's lacking a subwoofer. The sound system is permanently installed and I am only given access to a sound mixer that is connected to it. Can I use my B2 with a sound system like this?

The short answer is: No, the B2 bass module is part of an integrated system and it was engineered to work (only) with an L1 Model 1S or L1 Model II.



I don't understand how I can get the B2 powered. Any advice would be very much appreciated. 

The shorter and longer (and equally unsatisfying answer) is: It depends.

As part of an integrated system, the B2 relies on the L1 power stand for

  • Power
  • Crossover network so the B2 gets only the frequencies below 200 Hz
  • Equalization to shape the sound it receives
  • Protection (a limiter to prevent the drivers in the B2)


To replicate that with a different sound system at the venue, you would need



  • Power
    • A separate power amp like a Bose A1 Packlite (250 watts into 4 ohms)
  • A digital signal processor to provide
    • Crossover network so
      • the B2 gets only the frequencies below 200 Hz
      • the house system gets only the frequencies above 200 Hz
    • Equalization to shape the sound the B2 receives
    • Protection (a limiter to prevent the drivers in the B2)


Bose makes devices that do everything in the second point above - but not for the B2 because it was engineered to work with the L1 systems.

Another approach

Connect a line-level output from the house sound system to the Model II Power Stand Analog Input.  Connect the Power Stand to the B2, and optionally, run the system without the Cylindrical Radiator® (the tower). You won't damage the system running it without the Cylindrical Radiator®.

Does that help?
ST

 

9

Thank you, ST, for a very thorough answer. I play recorded music for my freedomDANCE classes, and it's clear that I can either use the whole system (instead or in addition to the house system) or just get a subwoofer to add to the house system. Many, many thanks to you and everyone who took time to respond.