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This may be useful if you’re playing on a raised stage and want to reduce overall height to ensure optimum sound dispersal via the array or if you’re using it indoors as a Bluetooth sound system for example. When you’re gigging on your own, transporting gear around really is a big deal and this is where the L1 Pro 8 comes into its own. Plus you get legendary Bose sound quality with a really impressive low end. It’s a done deal as far as we’re concerned. They provide extra channels for more inputs, effects and full access to the ToneMatch library to provide EQ settings for the microphone or instrument you’re using. You could even use a ToneMatch mixer with two L1 Pro systems for a stereo output (remember the Bose L1 Pro8 is a monophonic system).
As we’ve mentioned the Bose L1 Pro8 is the ‘baby’ in a family of three. It is the least powerful but that also makes it a marvellously portable pa. In terms of features, all three models are practically identical. Instead, line arrays are vertically oriented; you have just one single ‘tower’ comprising a woofer at the base and mid-range/high frequency speakers at the top of the array.You’ll see the three channels; volume, treble, bass and reverb controls; virtual rotary controls; mute buttons; ToneMatch controls; and System EQ settings – and when you adjust any settings on the app, they change on the fly on the Bose L1 Pro8 in perfect sync. You can even turn phantom power on and off. Buying musical gear is all about making informed choices. We hope this Bose L1 Pro 8 review enables you to do just that! Mic’ provides a generic preset for a handheld dynamic microphone. ‘Inst’ offers a preset for a piezo acoustic electric guitar. There’s more And with the intuitive L1 Mix app, you get complete wireless mixer control from your smartphone or tablet too. But unless you buy one of the optional (T4S/T8S) Bose mixers or hook up an external one however, you’re going to fall woefully short on enough channels for a full blown band.
You could also use this output to send to a recording interface, mixing console or another L1 Pro system. Extended functionality Mega portable: just 78.9 x 12.5 x 17.3” (200.5 x 31.8 x 44cm) HxWxD and weighing in at a paltry 38.2lbs (17.3kg) Alongside the phantom power switch on channel 3 is the System EQ section. As the name suggests, these settings are global and affect the entire output of the PA system, providing three optimized EQ presets for live music, recorded music (from your device or DJ work) and speech (yes the Bose L1 Pro 8 is perfect for podium style public speaking). Alternatively, turn it off. More bass anyone? Straight off the bat, we should point out that channels 1&2 are for instruments and microphones while channel 3 features controls for Bluetooth pairing and line level audio inputs for stuff like external audio sources or even synths. Top to bottom As we’ve mentioned elsewhere in this Bose L1 Pro 8 review, it also makes a great home hi-fi system.
The jewel in the crown here however is that the mixer is accessible and controllable remotely via an app. We’ll get onto that later as part of this comprehensive Bose L1 Pro 8 review. And there you go. Tap on Shure SM58 and you’ll access Bose’s optimal EQ settings for a Shure SM58 dynamic microphone. The first is via optional Bose T4S and T8S mixers. These are designed to connect to any Bose L1 Pro mixer via the dedicated ToneMatch port located on the mixer panel. A single cable also powers these external mixers.
In its simplest form, ToneMatch is available on the front panel of the mixer. As we’ve already seen, you can select between ‘Mic’ ‘Inst’ and ‘Off’ which automatically sets optimum EQ settings for the mic/instrument you’re using. The L1 Pro8 gives singer-songwriters and DJs both setup simplicity and supreme clarity—the power to sound your best and simply perform.We’ll emphasise that these mixers are optional but they are designed to work with Bose PA systems. If you need extra functionality for your L1 Pro system, these are the way to go. Moving down the panel, next up are mute buttons for all three channels. Pretty self-explanatory. Then, on channels 1&2 only, we have ToneMatch, which essentially is where you select the input source. Connectivity Moving swiftly down the mixer controls – next, on channels 1&2 we have phantom power. This is a really welcome – and frankly quite rare – inclusion because it means you can plug in condenser microphones without having to worry about finding the necessary juice to power them. This is a selectable via and on/off switch and when engaged provides 48V of power to channels 1&2. Line array systems are not just about aesthetics – there’s science behind their innovative design and it’s centered around efficient sound dispersion. The problem with conventional side of stage speaker arrangements is that there’s a sweet spot in terms of sound coverage. At 300W, the L1 Pro8 is ideal for smaller venues like coffee shops, cafes, bars and restaurants but it also has enough juice in the tank for small halls and events – outdoors and inside.
Assembled, the overall height of the L1 Pro 8 is 78.7” (2m) but the array extension spacer section is totally removable. Inputs 1&2 feature combo XLR/1/4” connections to accept instruments and microphones. Just plug in, select ‘mic’ or ‘inst’ and you’re away. Bear in mind that essentially these are EQ presets only. In terms of what you’re plugging into the inputs, the L1 Pro 8 knows the difference between instruments and microphones and adjusts levels automatically. We’ll get onto the specification of the L1 Pro8 a little later, but Bose negates this issue via the incorporation of a C-shaped line array with eight articulated 2” neodymium drivers, delivering 180 degree horizontal coverage with wide 40 degree vertical dispersion. A connected woofer provides all the bottom end.Portability, sound quality and power basically. Line array systems break away from convention in that you don’t have speakers (usually two) placed on each side of the stage. Moving swiftly along, we now come to the ToneMatch port which enables connection to a Bose ToneMatch mixer (T4S or T8S) via a ToneMatch cable. These mixers certainly do extend the basic functionality of the system, but they’re not cheap and to be honest, most people probably won’t need them. The app is a no brainer and pretty much indispensable. Remote control AND access to the ToneMatch library
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