Bose L1 Compact Portable Sound System

No longer available. Check out the Bose L1 Pro8.

The L1 Compact system combined conventional PA and monitors into one sleek unit. Positioned behind or to the side of a performer, DJ, Quizmaster, MC or presenter, it delivers wide, even sound coverage throughout the stage area and audience—even off to the extreme sides.

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Description

Bose L1 Compact SystemL1® Compact system

The Bose L1 Compact is now a legacy system and no longer available from official Bose outlets.

Consider a Bose S1 Pro/Sub1 combo, or the almost as portable Bose L1 Pro8.  Check out the Compact vs Pro8 comparison here: L1 Pro8 compared to L1 Compact.

 

  • Bose® Spatial Dispersion™ loudspeaker technology delivers sound evenly across the stage and throughout the audience—even to the extreme sides
  • Two ToneMatch® channels with fixed presets for a handheld microphone and an acoustic guitar
  • Integrated bass speaker in power stand
  • Two setup positions: collapsed for smaller spaces or extended for larger ones
  • Ideal for musical performances, mobile DJs, classrooms, business presentations and other events

The L1 Compact portable line array system: Carry it in one trip. Set it up in one minute. Fill the room with Bose sound.

The L1 Compact system combines conventional PA and monitors into one sleek unit. Positioned behind or to the side of a performer, DJ or presenter, it delivers wide, even sound coverage throughout the stage area and audience—even off to the extreme sides. It’s our smallest, lightest, easiest-to-set-up L1 system, weighing just 13.3 kg.

Big sound. Small package.

Now you can have quality Bose sound for almost any gig, event or occasion. The L1 Compact system is small enough to fit in your trunk or back seat, and its innovative modular design makes setup easy and fast. You can arrange it in either a collapsed configuration for smaller spaces or a taller, extended configuration for larger ones. No extra gear to haul. No heavy speakers to hoist onto stands. No speaker cables.

A different loudspeaker

The L1 Compact system’s slim loudspeaker distributes sound clearly and evenly throughout the room, thanks to Bose Spatial Dispersion technology. The speaker’s unusual vertical shape makes it distinctly different from conventional PA speakers―and has a very positive effect on sound coverage. Even audience and band members off to the extreme sides hear the same clear, tonally balanced sound as those in front.

The L1 Compact loudspeaker array is smaller than those in L1 Model I and II systems, but it produces comparable horizontal sound coverage. L1 Model I and Model II loudspeakers project sound further with less drop-off of volume than the L1 Compact array.

Integrated system

With the L1 Compact system, you don’t have to carry a separate amplifier, mixer or bass cabinet: They’re already built in. The system’s power stand includes an integrated bass speaker and amplifier, plus a built-in mixer providing a total of four inputs and two outputs.

Channel 1 is a microphone input with a customised ToneMatch preset for a handheld dynamic microphone. The preset automatically optimises a handheld microphone’s tone when used with the L1 Compact system. Channel 2 accepts up to three inputs at once, including a guitar, keyboard or other instrument, DJ mixer, MP3 player, laptop or projector. It features a customised ToneMatch preset to optimise the sound of an acoustic guitar.

The L1 Compact system: audio performance, simplified set-up and one-trip portability. Only from Bose.

Features

Spatial Dispersion™ loudspeaker technology features six small drivers mounted at precise angles inside a slim, vertical enclosure. This proprietary Bose technology delivers 180° H x 40° V nominal dispersion sound coverage. Sound remains consistent even at extreme sides of the system.
Integrated mixer in the power stand provides one microphone XLR input on channel 1; channel 2 has one instrument input, one RCA stereo input and one 1/8″ stereo input. Both channels have two-stage clip lights, volume controls and a customised ToneMatch preset. Rear panel has one 1/4″ balanced line output and one RCA stereo output.
Integrated power amplifier in the power stand delivers clean, precise amplification for L1 Compact loudspeaker and bass enclosure.
Proprietary ToneMatch presets optimise the L1 Compact system for a dynamic handheld microphone (channel 1) or acoustic guitar (channel 2).
PA and monitors are combined into one lightweight, highly portable system. Proprietary Bose technology enables the system to be positioned directly behind or to the side of a performer, eliminating the need for separate PA speakers, stage monitors and mixers.
Two unique set-up positions, extended (78.5″H) and collapsed (16.5″H), let you tailor the system’s sound coverage for the room or event. For larger audiences, use the included loudspeaker extensions to elevate the array. For smaller gatherings and meetings, leave the array in its slot on the power stand and place the system on a tabletop.
Durable, lightweight, interlocking components make the system very easy to transport, set up and break down. The power stand weighs just 25 pounds, and the total system with loudspeaker and extensions weighs 29 pounds. No speaker cables, stands or bass modules required. The entire system can be set up in a minute or less.

Included itemsBose L1 Compact components in the box

Dimensions

L1 Compact power stand w/loudspeaker array

16.5″H x 13.25″W x 16.75″D ( 41.8 cm x 33.9 cm x 42.6 cm ) 24.6 lbs (11.2 kg)

L1 Compact loudspeaker array

16″H x 2.75″W x 2.75″D ( 40.8 cm x 7 cm x 7 cm ) 3.0 lbs (1.35 kg)

Each L1 Compact extension

32.5″H x 2.75″W x 2.75″D ( 83 cm x 7 cm x 7 cm ) 2.3 lbs (1.5 kg)

Collapsed position (assembled)

16.5″H x 13.25″W x 16.75″D ( 41.8 cm x 33.9 cm x 42.6 cm ) 24.6 lbs (11.2 kg)

Extended position (assembled)

78.5″H x 13.25″W x 16.75″D ( 199.5 cm x 33.9 cm x 42.6 cm ) 29.2 lbs (13.3 kg)

  • Can I run a pair of L1 speakers in stereo?

    Yes, stereo is definitely an option.

    With the older L1 Model 1s and Model II, running in stereo was a lot more challenging than traditional powered speakers.  The only simple mixer option made for the Bose L1 at the time was the T1 Tonematch mixer.  It was mono, but to run that in stereo was a real mission requiring you to adjust settings, send a signal to the AUX out independently of the MASTER out.

    With the introduction of the T4s and T8s digital mixers which have dual MASTER out (or – left and right, stereo), suddenly stereo became a lot easier.

    But do you really NEED to run in stereo?

    The downsides to running “stereo” as a DJ or band

    1. Unless they’re in the “sweet spot”, your audience won’t get stereo. If they’re not dead centre of the dancefloor, they’ll get predominantly more of either the left or right channel.  They probably won’t notice.
    2. You can get bass cancellation if the subwoofers are too close together.
    3. You will get cancellation (particularly less bass) if the L1 speakers are too close together if you end up running “dual mono”, ie exactly the same signal on both speakers. Bose recommends spacing the two speakers 6 metres apart.
    4. Even in stereo, you’d want to try to put the subwoofers together to avoid cancellation.

     

    I’ve been using the Bose L1 systems since 2007.  Be it a Compact, a Model 1, L1 Model II, or the 1s, and now the Pro8, Pro16 and Pro 32.  I’ve only needed a pair on less half a dozen occasions.  Unless it’s a massive room or huge crowd, the long throw and wide dispersion of of the L1 system means two “sticks” really is often just overcomplicating matters with no real advantage, certainly none that the client/audience will ever notice.

     

     

     

    Nick Logan – Corporate and wedding DJ 

    Running in stereo is probably a lot easier now with the new L1 Pro series, you can use them with or without the Tonematch mixer.

    Or you can set up wireless streaming via Bluetooth to a single or pair of L1 Pro or S1 Pro+ in mono or stereo.  Read the guide here.

  • Is the L1 Pro8 the same as the legacy L1 Compact? Bose Pro8 vs Compact Comparison

    The Bose L1 Pro range is the current generation of L1 portable line array systems.  Just as the L1 Model II eventually replaced the Model I and Classic, the L1 Pro system replaces the Bose L1 Model II, L1s, and L1 Compact.

    The Compact is and always will be a reliable, powerful and super portable little speaker.  Although it’s no longer produced or sold new, it’s great for small venues, smaller crowds (up to 50 guests), and perfect for DIY wedding hire systems, etc.

    Bose L1 Compact vs Bose L1 Pro8 Comparison

    The newer Bose Pro8 portable line array has even more features: 3 input channels, Bluetooth, wireless control via mixer app, T4s and/or T8s input, and of course more bass, and more power.

    Read the side-by-side comparison at the Bose Portable PA Encyclopedia – full article here: Bose L1 Compact compared to Bose L1 Pro8.

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