Matt Wahl On-Line | Bose L1 Model 2 & Bose L1 Compact Comparison

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Goal: My goal with this test is to compare the Bose L1 Model 2 with the Bose L1 Compact. I own both systems. I have been using the Model 2 since it was released but I’ve only had my Compact for about a month. I was curious to see how the Compact would perform outside and interested to test the volume levels and the drop off rate of the sound of the Compact as compared to the Model 2.

The Test: I set up both systems in our backyard and made recordings from 5 feet, 10 feet, 20 feet and 30 feet away.

The Gear: The two sound systems are a Bose L1 Model 2 with 2 B1s and the Bose L1 Compact. I used the Bose T1 ToneMatch Engine with both systems. The mic is my Neumann KMS105 and the guitar is my Cole Clark Angel. Here are some photos:

The Two Systems Side By Side

Cole Clark Angel

The Bose L1 Model 2 Cased Up

The Bose L1 Compact Cased Up

Clearly the Compact is going to be easier to haul around. I can set up my Model 2 pretty quickly but the set up time for the Compact is probably less than 30 seconds. One of the reasons for my test is to try and determine when I can use the Compact and when I have to turn to his big brother, the Model 2

The Set Up: As I mentioned, I use the Bose T1 with both systems and that made this test quite a bit easier. I ran my mic into channel 1 of the T1 and used the Neumann KMS105 preset. I left the zEQ flat. I ran my guitar into channel 2 of the T1 and used the Steel String w/Piezo preset. I took a -3.0 db cut on the mids with the zEQ and a -7.0 db cut at 440 Hz with the Para EQ. I didn’t use any effects on either channel.

I connected the T1 to the Model 2 with the T1 cable. I set the Master Out to Pre-Master Volume and took the Master Out of the T1 to channel 2 of the Compact. I used a TRS to TRS cable to make this connection and turned the ToneMatch off of channel 2 of the Compact. This allowed me to quickly switch back and forth between systems. All I had to do was turn the volume on the T1 all the way down to “turn off” the Model 2 and turn up the volume on channel 2 of the Compact to “activate” the Compact. Doing the reverse “activated” the Model 2 and turned off the Compact.

The Challenges:

EQ: As I listened to both systems I found myself wanting to make some subtle EQ adjustments to compensate for the different systems. In the end, I decided to leave the EQ settings alone so I could hear the exact same signal through each system.

The Space: We live on an Army base just south of Washington DC. We have a nice house and a nice little backyard but we are on the flight path of everything! We have planes overhead constantly from Reagan National Airport and tons of helicopters fly over all the time. So I apologize if you hear any of that. I did the best I could to avoid extraneous noise.

The Weather: Being from Wisconsin, the low 40’s on December 10th is an absolute gift! It is -3 right now in my home town of Eau Claire! I probably wouldn’t have been able to do this test back home :-) But it was still cool and windy so there is some wind noise and the guitar playing is a little heavy handed due to cold fingers!

B1s: I didn’t know what to do with the B1s on my Model 2. When I play outside, I always use 2 B1s. Our backyard is small and enclosed by some pretty solid fences. I thought it was a bit too bassy with 2 B1s. Plus I didn’t know if using 2 B1s was fair when doing a comparison with the Compact. But then again, since I aways use 2 B1s I’d be comparing the Compact with the Model 2 in the configuration I usually use. In the end, I made 2 Model 2 recordings from each distance, one with 1 B1 and one with 2 B1s.

Volume: These systems are similar in nature yet they are different enough to make it a challenge to try and get both systems set at the same volume. I set the Zoom H2 up at 10 feet and used the recording meter to get the volumes set. Channel 2 of the Compact is set right at noon. To get the same volume out of the Model 2 I had to go just a hair past noon with the Master volume on the T1.

The Recordings: To make these recordings, I used a Zoom H2. I mounted the H2 on a mic stand exactly 5’ off the ground. I then used a tape measure to place the Zoom right between the systems, 5 feet away, 10 feet away, 20 feet away and then 30 feet away. I used the windscreen that comes with the Zoom H2.

After I finished recording I dumped all the recordings into GarageBand on my MacBook Pro. I cleaned up the beginnings and the ends. Other than that, the recordings are totally untouched. Any differences in volume, treble, bass, etc. are due only to the different positions of the mic as I moved it further and further away from the sound systems.

You can access the recordings via the .mp3 player below. This is a nice way to quickly jump back and forth between the recordings to hear how they compare. I tagged all of the recordings at the beginning so people would know exactly what they are hearing. I don’t know if the tags help or hurt the test. I just listened to all the samples again and I speak a bit softer on some of the tags than others. For the best comparison, wait until the music starts. All of these samples are best heard with good quality headphones.

The song is one of mine, it’s called Slow Dance In The Sand. I played the same song on all 12 recordings so people could focus on the sound of the different samples. I thought that might be easier to do if you are always hearing the same thing. Believe me, I’m more sick of it than you will be if you listen all the way through on all 12 samples! Not only did I play it 12 times for these recordings but this was my second round of recordings today. I had the mic gain set too high on the first round. Plus I did this yesterday and it was too windy!!

Conclusion: I thought the Compact held its own nicely in this small outdoor space vs. the Model 2. To me the sound of the Compact is a bit more direct. One of the best descriptions I’ve heard of the Bose L1 sound is that it sounds like the music is everywhere. To me this is true with the L1 Model 2 more so than with the Compact. The Compact still disburses nicely but it seems a bit more like the music is coming from one obvious source instead of somehow being everywhere.

The biggest difference to me are the respective volumes as the mic is moved further back. I think the Compact still holds up well at 30 feet but in order to do so, it is unbearably loud at 5 feet. That isn’t near as evident on the recordings as it was live. After I made the recordings I got into “gig position.” I stood 5 feet in front of both systems with my back to the systems as I would do during a performance. The Model 2 was a bit louder than I usually run it to be standing so close but I could play a show in that position, at that volume. Not so with the Compact. It was WAY too loud for me at that volume standing 5 feet away.

Of course this is to be expected. I certainly didn’t expect the Compact to provide the same coverage and disbursement as the Model 2 and still operate at a volume that would be usable as a monitor with the system directly behind me. It was interesting to set this all up and see how they sounded at each interval and how each system would (or wouldn’t) work as a monitor at that volume.

One thing I did not do was to test how well I could hear myself if I stood, for example, off to the side of the Compact. That might allow me to fill a good sized, outdoor space, push the volume I need to, stand sort of near the Compact and still hear myself. But I think if I’m faced with that situation, I’d probably just use my Model 2. So unless it is a small deck/patio I’ll most likely use my Model 2 for outdoor shows and save the Compact for smaller indoor places.

As much fun as this was (and I learned a lot too) I don’t know that the size of our backyard is really conducive to a thorough test. 30 feet was as far away as I could get from the systems. It would be interesting to be able to keep moving further and further away. Our backyard is also pretty narrow so I wasn’t able to get a sense of how well the Compact projects off to the sides. Sounds like another test!

Thanks for reading/listening!

Matt