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I have to admit, when it showed up and I saw how small it was I didn't think it would be loud enough. I play in an acoustic duo and my gig last night was at a bar that is legendary for being loud. For some reason, the way the bar is set up, the patron' s talking volume gets very loud. Smaller PA systems I've tried to use struggle to combat the volume of the people there "yell talking" to each other haha. I've used bulky behringer 15" eurolive speakers and they work well there. I was tired of lugging around heavy speakers and stands. Trying to find a power source to plug both in etc...This bose l1 compact BLEW ME AWAY! I couldn't believe how well it filled the room with volume. We cranked it to an unbearable volume to just see if it would clip. We never got to the red clipping light. Had to back it off. We played in a noisy bar with around 40 to 50 people and the sound was great. It was crisp and clear no matter where you were sitting. It's almost as if the sound surrounds you. Unbelievable what this thing can accomplish for being so small. I needed 3 channels so I ran the right side output of my mixer to the right side line level 1/4 inch input of the L1. I panned all channels to the right. Ran the mixer main at noon and the L1 at around 11 o clock. It was perfect. At one point we ran mixer main to 3 o clock and L1 to 3 o clock. Not even a little blip of red on the "clip o meter". Hands down best desision to buy this. Love it.

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I regularly perform on the street and do small venue performing at coffee houses, parties, worship and others. I use it mostly with an acoustic guitar, vocal mic, and loop pedal. I am really impressed with the output of this small system. I recently used it at a park when we were doing an outreach event. I used it to perform music outside for a large crowd, using a portable power source it lasted me 3+ hours and could have probably ran for at least another hour. Because I use a loop pedal I was initially really worried about feedback and sound bleeding into the mic because the L1 was behind me, but I have had no issues with it. I have gotten lots of great feedback about the sound quality.

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Most of my music is played through a loop pedal. I do a lot of beatboxing, vocal harmonies, and percussion on the guitar. The L1 compact handles this very well. I have used it to perform for audiences up to 200 people. I have used it outside for parties and events and busking. I've had mine just over a year and have had 0 problems with it. I highly recommend this system. I am very happy with my L1 compact.

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The Bose L1 Compact was purchased as a backup to my Bose L1 Model 1's I use for professional Dj use. It is lightweight and blends in with the decor. It has ample power to keep up with it's big brother and is an awesome addition to my already amazing setup! Extremely portable and can be run off a A/C powerpack for remote sound. I have been a professional mobile Dj for 20+ years and this is the most clear and lightweight speaker in it's class! I really like it!!

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This system is perfect for my company! DC2DW DVDJ Entertainment has found the perfect sound with these speakers. This was my third one and I just order my 4th one!!! I love the way the sound and my customers are always amazed when I set them up and turn them!!!! The Ultimate Sound!!!

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I have a room full of all kinds of different PA systems that I have purchased over the years. Now I am looking to sell most of it since I purchased the Bose L1 Compact PA System. None of the PA's come close to the sound quality that is produced by the Bose. Why pick up all those heavy PA's that I have when the Bose sounds better, easier to set up and is much lighter. I would advise anyone to purchase this PA.

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Great sound. I hear it in my performances but more importantly from the response from my audiences. A must for singers, keys etc. soloist

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This is by far, the best PA out there. I purchased the T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine Mixer as well. I sing at Senior Centers and Nursing Homes. The sound is clear, clean without fatigueing the listeners. No matter where they are in the room, the systems delivers the same crisp, clear sound that is comfortable to everyone. As a performer, I absolutely need to be able to hear myself and I can anywhere in the room. What I am putting out to the listner is the same sound I hear myself. I no longer need a monitor of any kind. Used Bose tech support to get going and they are excellent. The purchase from ZZ Sounds is always smooth and effortless. Not to mention the payment plan. A very satisified customer indeed.

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Have seen and played with band users of the Bose L1 System and looked forward to getting one. I was shopping by price so when the system was 10% off I purchased it, adding the tone module since I intend to use it primarily in a guitar/vocal setting. I was disappointed to discover the tone module required a proprietary power supply. I went back through the on-line information both from ZZounds and Bose; neither warned me of the requirement. I did find a user review (after purchase) that had that information. I think the requirements should be clearly indicated; if the compact system was not designed to be used with the tone module (which the lack of an on-board power supply indicates) then the need and cost of the power supply should be noted.

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Bose really exercised their product bases to put together this integrated system that makes sense and suits the need of many solo or duo bands. They did it right this time, with a small array at top that projects good distance at useful output levels, with a good gain-before-feedback. You don't need a full-length array for a small system like this. This system will not service a 500-people crowd, nor should it. It has its place.

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A buddy of mine brought one over for a backyard party. After listening to it outside, I was pretty amazed at how much crystal clear sound came out of this. We did some Karaoke and played a lot of MP3's. And helping him break it down and carry it to his car trunk, I was sold. Ordered mine the day after. Would I use this for a huge gig? Well most likely "no", but for smaller venues, this thing puts out more than enough sound and again, if the source is good, the sound is good. This thing is amazingly true and crystal clear, even at louder volumes. I am still pretty amazed at this system. I did not buy the Bose mixer, I just used a Behringer 1202FX, out the 1/4" mains and into the 1/8" "ipod" jack. Works like a champ..

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The Bose L1 system is absolutely perfect for my acoustic duo. We also use some recorded tracks, and the system handles the bass & drums flawlessly! True Bose ambience! Thank you ZZounds for making it easy with 12 payments!

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I love it. I plan to buy the ToneMatch accessory and use it to chain a second L1 Compact for even larger venues. Although this unit is PERFECT for any coffeehouse, restaurant, or venue seating less than 100.

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I should have not expected anything less. Vocals are incredible. Power is just right for what I need. Very easy to use and very compact.

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I will start by saying I normally am not a fan of Bose...and that is downplaying it. They make decent stuff, but usually you can do better for less money. I have owned QSC K12's recently, amongst many other PA items over the years. But I wanted something for personal type use, for my keyboard, etc... There is no product similar to this piece, so I tried it. There is some dialing in on EQ I had to do, but with my Motif XF8 it was easy. It is fairly amazing that it can disperse the sound so well from a single point. Yes, it is still sort of expensive, but when I take into consideration all the large items I have to carry already, it was the perfect product. I will also say that my first unit came in damaged, and it appears it was a defect off the line. ZZounds went WAY above to help me out since I needed it for a gig. And that is why I will continue to buy from them as I have for a while.

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Having used this product with the L1 and B2 bass module I was already familiar with the product. I needed one for our Karoake group that I could carry to the member performers' homes. I got this system and it sounds fantastic!!!! It is worth every penny and more! The staff at ZZounds is just excellent. Very professional to deal with, courteous and knowledgeable. They even got me the 4 pay credit arrangement that I was not aware of and the entire transaction was smooth. You even get a monthly reminder for the payment being taken from the credit card so there are no surprises!!!! Just overall an A+ company, product and staff!!! I have also recommended this product to any of our Karaoke group members who is interested in owning and they are all sold on the idea after listening to the sound!!!

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I bought this Pa system a few months ago after exhausting research done on many systems/combo systems..I'm a jazz guitarist that needed a small, but high quality system for banquet halls, reatuarants, etc..I use backing tracks through my laptop, but then sometimes play with a bass player, keyboardist and drummer..I'm extremely pleased with the quality of sound this thing puts out...it is exactly what i wanted...I do use a small powered monitor off to the side( 12in. speaker)...but only when playing larger rooms..everyone is impressed with the sound ...I currently use a small mixer for my running my electric and nylon string guitars through...jeyboards added and synth drums when a drummer is present...it handle all of this very well...I will say, though that if you find yourself playing for in a larger room and find that you need to crank the volume really high..it will clip...as i'm sure any system would...so when Bose says for audiences up to 100 people I've found that to be an accurate statement..I have a friend with the next level up system and we've played together for events, combine the 2 systems and it sounded fabulous...I'd replace this system immediately if something happened to it...there is a place here in the city that deals with used Pa equipment...they tell me they've NEVER had any of the array systems from Bose in for repairs...It's awesome...I suggest buying it.

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I have been singing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and churches for over 12 years, and this is the 4th system I have used. It is by far the best and lightest, and I would recommend it for any similar situation. I received it on a Tuesday morning, tried it, and used it that afternoon for a program. Everything worked great! I use it about 17 times each month. (I haven't had to use any manufacturer support so can't tell about that)

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This Bose system is just awesome. I use it at a gym facility for classes as well as background music. The sound quality is top notch and the volume is WAY more than needed. I had thought about supplementing a separate sub to enhance the lower end, but have not really needed to. The acoustics in the gym works well enough. I still may add a sub, as sometimes we do conduct classes outside because of capacity limitations, and the low end is not heard (or felt) as well outside. The sound quality so impressed our gym members, that some of them are considered buying their own for their own purposes. I rated the Manufacturer Support as 1 star, because I have not needed to use it, therefore I can't rate it. For some people, the cost might be on the high side. The sound quality, the ease of use, and the versatility makes it worth the cost. If you're looking for a system that is very portable, flexible, and want the quality of sound that only Bose can deliver, then you'll be happy with L1 Compact.

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Super clean sound and no feed back! I run it with my Roland AC-60 for killer stereo. Much easier and versatile than the Tonematch engine. I can control the effects separately for vocals and guitar and mute all from the Boss foot switches hooked to the Roland. For a duo you would want two of them especially for high volume hard singing. I chose the L1 Compact over the Fishman 220 because of the 180 degree dispersion and lack of feedback annoyances. I play the ski resort hotels and it is perfect for about 100 people. Looks great too!!

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I've used the L1 Portable on five gigs since purchasing it three weeks ago. I love it's compact portability and the quick setup. I've received numerous positive comments about how great the sound output is. I wish I'd purchased it earlier.

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Great sound for small to medium venues for my Karaoke shows, and set-up time has been decreased by 65%.

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Love it!! Quality sound. As saying goes: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. The BOSE L1 is absolutely a keeper. I use itmy smart T.V. to enhance the sound or when I am just listening to music from the TV music channel or from the Ipad great sound. I plug in my electric acoustic guitar, karaoke and enjoy numerous nights of fun for the family/friends. Thanks ZZsounds for msking this a painless purchase. My next purchase will be the Bose microphone accessory kit. Watch out now. ..

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I like the sound on this amp and it is only about half as heavy as my old amp

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great product sounds just as good as 2 srm 450 mackies

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I make my living as a singer/songwriter guitarist and vocalist in the Pittsburgh PA area. I bought this in Dec 2016. As of this review I've used the Compact for 21 performances. Initially it sounded bass-y and scooped (lacking mids) to my ears. The highs and lows ring beautifully but in certain venues I miss the mids. I've been using a Fishman SA220 since 2013 with great success. It is a fantastic system and probably the best value in its class considering, price, tone, easy setup/tear down, and built in features. The Fishman SA also has a very well balanced and warm tone. However, in late 2015 I had to send the control panel of the SA back to Fishman to be serviced. Channel one cut out during a performance. Turns out, in my experience that the control panel in the SA220 has a somewhat recurring issue with dirty pots that need to be cleared with compressed air occasionally. Anyway, that is what led me to try the Bose Compact. As a minimalist, I absolutely love the simplicity of the L1 Compact. It is a very straight forward system without any bells and whistles in the EQ/Effects dept. I’ve been very used to the tone of the Fishman after using it for so long, so I’ve been considering sending the L1 back to zZounds but I have finally come to terms with this realization: Although they sound very different, both the Bose L1 Compact and the Fishman SA220 are exceptional systems for a solo performer. The dispersion of sound produced by the L1 Compact is truly amazing. I've used it in large rooms, small rooms, some with tiles floors some with carpeting. It does really well every time. I've used a Strat, Taylor T5Z, and a Martin through it and they all sound great. If more EQ than what your guitar offers or having on-board effects are important to you then I'd suggest using an additional mixer of some type. Personally, I don't use reverb on my voice in most live situations, so I don't miss it. As far as instrument effects go, I use a few pedals on a pedaltrain. In a noisy bar I think I'd prefer the Fishman SA because it clearly has more OOMPH but when playing to an audience that is there to listen to the performance the Compact will shine even in a fairly large room. I'm not able to comment on using it outdoors because I won't get a chance to do that until later in the year. Time will tell how it holds up under a heavy performance schedule. I'm hoping it will not ever fail due to dust/dirt inside the pots like the control board on the SA has done more than once. I’m not knocking the Fishman, it’s a great system, it’s just frustrating to need to clean out the board occasionally.I'd also like to ad, I have no idea what the saying " No Highs, No Lows, Must be Bose" is based on. The L1 Compact has clear crisp highs and very good lows for a solo performing singer/songwriter with a guitar. If anything, as I mentioned earlier, it lacks mids. Perhaps the highs and lows thing refers to the larger systems or maybe to consumers trying to use the unit in ways other than it was intended.I rated it as a 4 but only due to the fact that in its price range it offers less EQ and on-board effects than competitors. Overall:The L1 Compact: Beautifully minimalist, Sleek, stylish, great sound, more than adequate bass for a solo guitarist/vocalist, a dream to set up and tear down, seems very durable, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking simplicity, great sound, and who doesn't want to put heavy boxes up on speaker stands: ) Cheers

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Excellent sound! very clean with a nice bass punch so light weight easy to set up perfect for smaller venues

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This System is awesome. Going to get the bigger system soon. Love it!

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I am by no means a professional musician but like many of us out there who like to jam with other friends or occasionally play a small gig in front of an audience, this is certainly the way to go. Very impressed with the sound and power and the ability to store it in a small space. I added the ToneMatch to my system which I highly recommend. I use both electric and acoustic guitars along with singing and the ToneMatch makes it all come together with great sound. I recommend this as there should be more inputs on the actual Bose L1 system. Never would have thought so much sound would come out of a speaker system like this does.

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Great sound system for small and medium venues. Easy to set up and a pleasure to carry due to light weight. Sets up in about 5 minutes. Yes, It's that easy. Sound is full and clear. Makes the guitar sing and voice not muddy. I will be adding on to this system with more Bose equipment.

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The Bose system rocks all my guys luv it. Clear as a Bell.....with no Monitors. Bought the compact to add to my existing L1 system for larger gigs. The big L1 goes up front and the Baby is used for Monitors.....GR8 combination.

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I'm part of a trio that consists of two guitarists and a bass plus a drum machine. Our audiences are generally under 100 people and the Bose L1 works great for what we do. We got it because we were tired of moving 70 lbs JBL cabinets and stands. We use a 12 channel powered mixer and run a line level signal to the bose. Because the mixer is powered, we could add the additional speakers for a larger venue in addition to the bose if it were necessary. But we don't anticipate a need for that just now. I do recommend using a mixer with some effects, I find plugging directly into the bose to be a little plain sounding. Quite pleased overall.

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I've been wanting a nice, compact speaker system I can use for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours and if the event is small, use them for the whole gig so I decided on the L1 compacts.I purchased two of them and so far have been amazed at the power they deliver. Not really sure about the watts but honestly, they sound amazing. I will be adding a separate bass as I love my low end. While these two have a decent low end, it's just not enough for some hard hitting bass.With that said, I used them at a small venue with about 100 people and they really sounded amazing. I also used 1 for a ceremony due to cable restrictions and that one sounded great for both the officiant and music. If you have the cash and like an elegant look, go for it. I'm still going to add a bass though or just use one of my Mackie 15' thumps for low end.

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The sound was good but not enough "boom" I like heavy bass without Bose's other components it wasn't loud enough. If you are looking to do a small outdoor event, For a presentation the simple setup is perfect. For me it didn't have enough Shake rattle and roll.

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Well, I reviewed this unit once already but need to do it again. After comparing it numerous times side by side with the Fishman SA 220 I've decided to send the L1 Compact back. It sounds good and is really nice to set up and tear down. The highs are crisp and clean and the lows are very good for acoustic guitar. However, it lacks the warmth in the tone that I hear in the Fishman system and also is not nearly as powerful at projecting sound as the SA220. Ultimately, I decided it was too much $ to spend on a specialty unit for small/up close venues. In my experience the Fishman SA can do everything the L1 Compact can do and more. Great product for what it is, but not for me. zZounds is absolutely fantastic for their great customer service, fast shipping and Play as You Pay program!

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Its simple and easy to use, sounds great! Thanks ZZounds for making my first Bose system affordable

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This is the go to system for solo acoustic acts. It's light, easy to set up and it sounds great. I also use it with a mixer when I need more channels. Ideally, I think it works better alone with a guitar and mic. The only problem I have with it is that it feeds back pretty much all of the time. I often play small rooms where I am wedged in a corner and it's hard to not stand in front of the unit. If I can have it out to the side there are no feedback problems. It also serves well as a monitor for my band. I played a loud room the other night with a trio and volume was a bit of a problem. If I tried to turn up the volume it fed back. It is also a bit pricy in my opinion. That being said I would definitely recommend this system if you have the cash

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Plug it in, and you are ready to go.

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After reading all the great reviews.. a few by fellow DJ's I was totally stoked to get my new BOSE L1 Compact system,,.. after getting and trying it out I couldn't be more disappointed.. its going back tomorrow.. This unit sucks playing music.. No High, No Lows.. all Middle.. I am not paying another $400+ for the Tone Match system to make it work right.. I picked up the LD Systems MAUI 5 Ultra-Portable Column PA System several months ago and just did a side by side comparison with its BOSE cousin... the MAUI 5 wipes its rear with the BOSE L1... not even close. I am getting a second MAUI 5

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good sound over priced needs built effects line outs separate from each channel, very under powered, if i could do it all over i would go for the again over priced li sys for more power

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Our company initially purchased six of these for presentation media audio support, corporate presentations, small venue music playback & portable audio. Compared to most of the "speakers on a stick" (JBL Eon, Mackies, et. al.) they are easy to set up, sound reasonably well for speech but absolutely suck for music playback. We've liked the appearance of this and the Sennheiser K Arrays but audio quality and $$$ has been disappointing. On our trip down to NAMM earlier this year we saw a new German company, LD Systems and their Maui series speakers that absolutely blew us away! Better bass, true mid/high response and less $$ than either. If our fleet of JBL Eons could last another season we wouldn't be shopping so intensely but from what we've heard Bose will not be in our future.

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I would keep this speaker but I would also want to have something a little more powerful for DJ gigs. More bass specifically. You can never have enough bass when it comes to spinning records. But i think this is a great speaker for live instruments as well as a great clear quality practice speaker for todays DJ.

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