Custom Slip Covers
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[edit] Details
entsyscorp.com sells custom slip covers for the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker.
- "These white Slip covers are made from flame retardant spandex for the Bose L1 radiators."
- Price $37.50 each.
- Select colors are available for $ 64.00 each."
For more information or to order call Entertainment Systems Corporation 800 582 2421. The links we have to the web set enter at the home page, and a search does not lead to the custom slip covers.
You can also send an email to Bill Cronheim info@entsyscorp.com
[edit] General Impressions
The custom slip covers from EntSysCorp appear to be well made and nicely finished. I have no long term experience with this fabric (flame retardant spandex), but wouldn't expect any difficulty with it. There is plenty of material to cover both the L1® Model I and L1® Model II
[edit] Appearance
The white covers are very stark white. I would not expect to find many walls this shade of white, but I think it would match white fabrics used at formal events like weddings. So this may be a good solution for making the black Cylindrical Radiator®s blend in with a light background wall or formal white backdrop.
[edit] White on Black
There was a discussion on the Bose L1® Message Board about these covers and some commented that there was visual problem with the Cylindrical Radiator® being white and the Power Stand being black. I did not find this to be an issue. The Power Stand is not really visible at a distance. If it is visible, it is not visually striking because it is on the floor. It is hard to miss the Cylindrical Radiator® though. I did not find it particularly troubling that the Power Stand did not match the Cylindrical Radiator®.
[edit] Customer Impressions
I asked several people at different venues what they thought of the covers.
Oddly, there seemed to be a gender bias.
- Men tended to be neutral or prefer the uncovered Cylindrical Radiator®.
- Women tended to be neutral or prefer the covers. They seemed to understand why someone would want to do it.
Musicians tended to prefer the look of the Cylindrical Radiator® without the covers. One fellow said, "It is what it is, why cover it up?".
[edit] Utility
The custom slip covers do what you expect, transforming your black Cylindrical Radiator® to another colour quickly without much fuss. When I first thought about the price I was a little taken aback, but on reflection - if you need to make your Cylindrical Radiator®s blend in with a white environment, I can't imagine a more cost effective way to do it.
I normally use a Wallacher Guitar Hanger on my Cylindrical Radiator® but of course, this was incompatible with having a custom slip cover installed. I am sure that if I needed to work out a solution for this, something could be done.
[edit] Another Application
I tried out the standard white covers. Entsys mentions custom colors.
I expect that black covers might do well to cover up minor dents in the metal grilles and be significantly less expensive than having the grilles repaired.
[edit] Sound
I could not detect any difference with / without the custom slip covers.
[edit] Installation
These custom slip covers take just a minute to install, and they are just as quick to remove. You will want to get all the material onto the Cylindrical Radiator® before pulling it down. Removal works the same way in reverse. I found it easiest to get all the material bunched up near the top before actually removing it from the Cylindrical Radiator®.
You will want to keep the seam in the back.
[edit] L1® Classic and L1® Model I
The covers fit snugly over the top and pull down with a little effort. The fit is tighter than I expected but looks good when fully installed. No wrinkles.
[edit] L1® Model II
Be careful removing the slip cover from the L1® Model II. Because the top section of the Cylindrical Radiator® relies solely on gravity to keep it in place, if you remove the cover too quickly, you may pull the top section of the Cylindrical Radiator® away from the bottom before you are ready.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the fit with the L1® Model II is not as tight as with the L1® Classic.
[edit] Photos
[edit] Coloured Background
Here some photos I took at a recent gig.
L1® Model II against a light yellow background. Note the painting in the background is predominantly bluish white.
Here is the same L1® Model II with the custom slip cover.
From the other side.
And with the custom slip cover.
I had some concerns that the cover might not be long enough for the Model II as these were originally designed for the Classic. The Model II is slightly taller. I needn't have been concerned. There was plenty of material. I may have pulled it down a little too tight.
I am sure it will wash out, but these covers catch dust. I just brushed against a dusty ceiling fan and it clung to the cover.
[edit] Dark Windows with White Borders
Sorry for the quality here. Cell phone pictures taken just before we set up the microphone stands and turned down the house lights.
[edit] 90 Degree Cable Pack
Entsys also sells the Bose L1® 90 Degree Cable Pack.
[edit] Disclosure
Bill Cronheim provided two custom slip covers to facilitate doing this review.
