L1® Model II

This Page Reviewed By Bose L1 Model II Introduced March 29, 2007.. The L1 Model II is RoHS compliant for release in Europe.

How to Tell the Difference Between Bose Portable PA Models This is how to tell which L1®, S1 Pro, or F1 unit you have.   S1 Pro+   2023 - Present S1 Pro+ (optional wireless transmitters), Remote Control and ToneMatch Presets with Bose App L1 Pro 2020 - Present L1 Pro8, L1 Pro16, L1 Pro32, Remote Control and ToneMatch Presets with Bose App Sub1 Sub2 2020 - Present Sub module for L1 Pro32 T4S 2018 - Present 4 channel ToneMatch Mixer (stereo) T8S 2018 - Present 8 channel ToneMatch Mixer (stereo) F1 Model 812 2015 - Present Flexible Array Loudspeaker and Subwoofer Classic 2003 - 2007 Rounded front. The Output Panel has Amp1 Out, Amp2 Out, Amp3 Out B1 Bass Module 2003 - 2020 Up to two per Power Stand (above). More if using the PackLite® power amplifier model A1. 2 x 5.25" drivers, 26.6 lb A1 PackLite Amp 2005 - 2020   Allows bass expansion for L1 Classic L1 Model I L1 Model II (not L1 Compact not L1 Model 1S) L1 Model I 2007 - 2012 Rounded front. The Output Panel has no outputs for Amp1, Amp2, Amp3. The Output Panel and L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker sections have orange L1® markers. L1 Model II 2007 - 2020 Extending legs, two Cylindrical Radiator®s, Bass Line Out, T1  2007 - 2018 T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine L1 Compact 2009 - 2021 Integrated Power Stand and Bass Unit, two Extensions L1 Model 1S 2012 - 2020 Extending legs, one Cylindrical Radiator® (Top Array), Bottom Extension B2 Bass Module 2012 - 2020 Up to one per Power Stand (above). More if using the PackLite® power amplifier model A1. 2 x 10" drivers 45 lb. Three position Bass Level switch. S1 Pro   2018 - 2023 Extremely Portable PA Battery powered Documentation FAQs Unofficial FAQs Official FAQs Downloads ToneMatch® Downloads Model II Firmware Updates T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine Firmware Updates Check the Bose® Pro Portable PA Community for periodic updates.

Input/Output Panel

ToneMatch® Port

ToneMatch^® Port on T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine

ToneMatch^® Port on L1 Model II

Close up

T1^® Cable Ends

The connecting cable has a male Ethercon connection at each end that looks like this.

For details about the cable see: T1® Cables

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Analog Input

The Analog input is a ¼ inch balanced input jack. There is a trim control.

Gain Staging

Q: What is the proper method for setting the gain on a Model II power stand when connected to an analog source?

A: While playing your instrument or audio source as loudly as you would in performance, adjust the trim level on the power stand until you see the LED go from yellow to red. Then back the trim level off until the signal LED is predominantly yellow with brief peaks into red.

Stereo Source to Power Stand Analog Input?

Q: Can I run a stereo signal with a ¼ inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve connection to the L1 Model II Analog Input?

A: This is not recommended, and may result in very little sound.

MikeZ-at-Bose

A bit more clarification - if you plug a true stereo TRS into a model II analog input you'll actually get VERY little sound.

Since the analog input is balanced, it actually will subtract the Left from the Right (this is how balanced inputs have less noise...I could explain more if anyone is interested). For many recordings, this ends up being very little sound.

Just wanted to clarify - you cannot 'get through the gig' this way if you're a DJ or needing to run prerecorded music.

Analog Input for Second T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine

The L1 Model II will support two T1 ToneMatch Audio Engines. See T1 ToneMatch™ Audio Engine / Connections to Model II for details.

Start Up / Cycle Time

The model II takes a few seconds to fully boot up and then turn the audio on. Make sure you are waiting the right amount of time.

Secondly, if you do reset the system for some reason, be sure to wait a full two or three seconds between turning it off and turning it back on.

- MikeZ-at-Bose

Fan Noise

Q: The fan in the Power Stand comes on when I strike a chord on my Guitar. Is this normal? A: Your unit is functioning properly - no problem.

The fan in the Model II Power Stand comes on when the input signal level goes over a certain limit, regardless of what the internal temperature of the unit is. That way, the unit never gets too hot to where a fan needs to be on constantly.

Whatever you do, please don't cover up the fan port.

There is a Firmware Update that addresses the fan behaviour. See: L1® Model II Power Stand Firmware Updates#Fan_Behavior

Height

The fully assembled height of the L1 Model II is 84 inches. (213.36 cm)

Clearance required to assemble is approximately 87.5 inches. (222.25 cm)

Input Panel

L1® Model II Input Panel

• Analog input, trim control and signal/clip LED

Line-level analog input accepts 1/4" TRS phone cable. Can be used for instruments or other audio sources like DJ mixers, MP3 players, computers or DVD systems. Trim control lets you adjust the level of analog input signal. Signal/clip LED indicates status of analog input signal.

• Bass module out

Delivers amplified bass output signal to one or two B1 bass modules. L1 system automatically adjusts equalization appropriately when bass modules are connected.

• ToneMatch™ port

Digital audio and power connection for ToneMatch audio engine. Use with included ToneMatch cable.

• Bass line out

Post-DSP bass signal output. Accepts 1/4" TRS phone cable. Use to connect PackLite® amplifier with up to two additional bass modules. Can also be used to connect powered subwoofer or additional amplification system.

No Speakers Attached

If you want to record using USB without using the L1 Cylindrical Radiator^® loudspeaker or B1 Bass Module ...

You can certainly run the L1 with all, some, or none of the speakers connected. With no speakers connected it will happily serve as a big power supply for the T1. You are in no way risking damage to the unit by doing this.

L1™ Model II Power Stand/Bass Line Out

Articulated Array®

Articulated Array

The articulated array was introduced with the L1 Model II announced March 29, 2007. This is a collection of notes and quotes about the articulated array, primarily from people-at-Bose. (alphabetical order by author)

Chris-at-Bose

When Cliff invented the first L1 , we all agreed it was a stunning solution to a terrible problem. The strong consensus on this forum over several years agrees with that. Making it into a product involved countless design decisions, many of them very hard to make. But one thing was clear--the array was a solution that worked; it didn't need "fixing", compared to all the other open questions whose answers were so obscure. So we worked on the murky questions, not on the array.

Once we had the product on the market, we began to learn how it could be even better, mostly from all of you on this forum. We told you we were listening and the L1 Model II is the result of that. When articulating the array was suggested by us, we were all pretty sure it would not work well in this kind of array. It was a long shot, but we tried it anyway and it worked better than any of us expected. Another theory in the dustbin. Breakthroughs sometimes happen and this was one of them, albeit a small one. So now we bring you the L1 Model II, with all our latest knowledge.

-- Chris-at-Bose, July 17, 2007

Cliff-at-Bose

At full chat, the L1 Model II is about as loud as the L1 Classic in front but definitely louder off to the side, due to the extra bit of spectrum wrap we got with the articulated array. Plus, we did all this with less power by the application of Real Science: a far better impedance match to the amp, a better amp, better power control processing and an improvement in the acoustical package. As a result, the new Power Stand is lighter. Sort of like the car engines from the 1930's can't touch today's lighter-weight EFI engines. The new unit is a real engineering achievement.

-- Cliff-at-Bose, April 3, 2007

Jesse-at-Bose

"Articulated" refers to the fact that the individual drivers in the Model II are angled slightly to the sides in an alternating pattern. (In the L1 classic, they're all facing straight ahead.) So both the L1 classic and Model II have extremely wide coverage (nearly 180 degrees,) but the M II gives you the most consistent tone as you move side to side.

We've all been impressed with the off-axis performance of the L1 Classic - the articulated array in the M II takes that even further.

-- Jesse-at-Bose, March 29, 2007

MikeZ-at-Bose

The array has been improved to give the widest, most even sound coverage across the room that we can deliver.

BUT, I want to establish that the difference between the two arrays is not like the difference between conventional gear and the L1 model I.

With the L1 Model I, if an *experienced* listener closed their eyes and walked around the room, they could tell approximately how far 'off axis' (what angle they were standing relative to the speaker) they were. With the model II, the listener cannot tell what angle they are relative to the speaker array.

-- MikeZ-at-Bose, March 29, 2007

Question Does the articulated array of the Model II have as long of a throw as the original L-1? I seem to recall hearing the the Classic maintained a cylindrical pattern out to around 85 or 90 feet.

Yes. The basic cylindrical wavefront properties of the L1 Model II are unchanged from the L1 Classic / L1 Model I. I have not measured or audibly noticed any difference in the speakers 'throw ability'.

-- MikeZ-at-Bose, July 5, 2007

Identifying this Model

• Retractable legs

Provide stability for streamlined L1 Model II power stand and loudspeaker. Four retractable legs fold out of power stand simultaneously for quick setup and compact transport. Small footprint also frees up room on tight stages.

• Light weight (23.7 lbs (10.7 kg)

Compatibility

Compatible with

• L1 Model II Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker
• T1 ToneMatch™ audio engine
• B1 Bass Module
• PackLite^® power amplifier model A1

Related Documents

L1™ Model II Documentation

Design Team

In 23 years at Bose, the L1 Model II and T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine are the most lovingly designed products I have ever had the fortune to work on. More care by more experienced people went into this than anything I've been involved in.

The most minute details were studiously created. As one tiny but important example, a propriety light pipe was designed so that the light from volume knob indicators smoothly wrapped around the knob from top to side, giving the musician a clear indication of volume from any angle. The color and intensity of the light was carefully designed so that it was visible in an extraordinarily wide range of stage lighting conditions.

Here is a picture of some members of the design team when we reached the point in May of 2006 of having the proprietary folding mechanism for the Model II power stand and industrial design for the new Articulated Array speaker finally finished.

Ken-at-Bose

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