L1® Classic

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Image:L1DoubleBass.gif


[edit] How to Tell the Difference Between L1 Models

This is how to tell which L1 unit you have.

 
This information is applicable to the L1® Classic
2003 - 2007 Image:Classic30.pngRounded front. The Output Panel has Amp1 Out, Amp2 Out, Amp3 Out
This information is applicable to the L1® Model I
2007 - Present Image:ModelI30.pngRounded front. The Output Panel has no outputs for Amp1, Amp2, Amp3.
The Output Panel and L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker sections have orange L1® markers.
This information is applicable to the L1® Model II
2007 - Present Image:MII32.pngExtending legs
This information pertains to the L1® Compact
2009 - Present Integrated Power Stand and Bass Unit


[edit] Introduction

L1® Classic is the name now used to describe the first L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker introduced in the United States, in October 2003.

The Classic remained in production until 2007 when it was replaced by the L1® Model I.

Visually and acoustically the L1 Classic is almost identical to the Model I, with only a few notable differences.


[edit] Comparison of the Classic to the Model I

[edit] Acoustical Output

The maximum output volume of the L1® Classic and the L1® Model I are virtually identical.

In the L1® Classic, the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker is powered by two (2) 250 Watt amplifiers. In the Model I, the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker is powered by one (1) 250 Watt amplifier. Both the Classic and the Model I use a second 250 Watt amplifier to power one or two B1 bass modules.

Although these numbers serve as a point of reference they do not tell the whole story. During the design of the L1® Model I the impedance of the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker was lowered. As a result of the lower impedance, a single 250W amplifier now powers the system to within 1.75 dB of the max SPL of the L1® Classic. Several other changes were made to the signal processing and acoustical sections to further reduce this small difference. Particular attention was paid to this change and many A/B comparisons were conducted by Bose to confirm that there was no significant audible difference between the two systems.

(Furthermore, the Model II system plays as loud as the Classic or the Model I.)


[edit] PS1 Power Stand Connections

L1® Classic shipped between 2003 and 2005

The L1 Classic had features built into its input/output panel that allowed the three amplifiers to be used separately as power amplifiers. For example, up to six B1 Bass Modules could be driven from an auxiliary Power Stand. See: Classic Extended Bass Package

The input/output panel as it appeared in units shipped between 2003 and 2005 is shown.

(Units that look like this were shipped with Presets 1.0 installed. An upgrade to Presets Version 2.0 is available and highly recommended.)


Image:ClassicIOPanel1.png

  • On the right side of the input/output panel, there are inputs for
    • All Amps In
    • Amp 1 In
    • Amp 2 In
    • Amp 3 In


L1® Classic shipped between 2006 and 2007

Units that shipped between 2005 and 2007 (when the L1® Classic was replaced by the L1® Model I) were shipped with the Version 2 Presets. The input/output panel of these later units have a blue ring around the Amp 3 output (for B1 Bass Modules).


Image:ClassicIOPanel2.png


Model I

The L1® Model I uses a simpler input/output panel

  • Dropped Amp 1 out, Amp 2 output found on the L1® Classic
  • Identified by orange labels and L1® logo
  • RoHS compliant.
  • Shipped with Presets 3.0 installed.



More detail: PS1 Power Stand Connections

[edit] Downloads for the L1 Classic


[edit] Lower Section Only

Q: Can I run with only the lower section of the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker?

A: From a technical standpoint it is safe to operate the system with only the lower section of the L1® Classic , however the spatial and spectral performance of will be greatly reduced, so this has only a very limited application. - Hilmar-at-Bose[1]

[edit] Correcting the Tone

Try inserting a ¼ inch connector in the Bass Line Out of the Power Stand. This will cause the internal logic to reduce the Bass output, and this should give you a better overall tonal balance when running with only one section of the L1® Classic.

For very detailed notes about this see Half Stack.


[edit] Holistic View

A Holistic View of the L1® [2]

This information is applicable to the L1® Classic

[edit] The L1® System (Physical)

Here is one way you can think about the L1® System.

Image:SpeakerPower01.gif

[edit] L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker as one loudspeaker

Think of the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker (Yellow highlight) is a single loudspeaker with 24 drivers (2.5 inch)[3] supplied by 500 watts for the L1® Classic and 250 watts for the L1® Model I. Note: the L1® Model I provides the same audible output. It is just more efficient than the L1® Classic.

[edit] Two B1 Bass Modules as a one bass loudspeaker

Think of the pair of B1 Bass Modules (Purple highlight) is a single bass loudspeaker with 4 (6.5 inch)[3] drivers supplied by 250 watts. [4]

That's 750 watts in total for the L1® Classic and 500 watts total for the L1® Model I

[edit] The L1® System (Amplifiers & Power)

Note: This information below is applicable to the L1® Classic and not the L1® Model I

Image:SpeakerPower02.gif

[edit] L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker

The L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker This is one loudspeaker that happens to break down into two pieces for travel. This is driven by two separate amps, but this is not important because under normal circumstances both amps are driven identically. One drives the top half of the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker and the other drives the bottom half. Because the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker should always be operated as a single unit, what happens when you break it down isn't relevant.

[edit] B1 Bass Modules

If you break the pair of B1 Bass Modules in half, and use just one of them, it draws 125 watts.[5]

If you don't use the B1 Bass Modules at all, the amp that is normally used to drive them is idle.

[edit] Model I

This information is applicable to the L1® Model I
The L1® Model I handles the B1s the same way, but with a more efficient design provides the same audible output from the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker with a single 250 watt amp.


  1. ↑ Hilmar-at-Bose talks about using the lower half (only) of the L1® Cylindrical Radiator in the Bose® Musicians Community Message Boards
  2. ↑ Originally appeared in the Bose® L1® Systems Users Forum
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Quoting Hilmar-at-Bose
  4. ↑ two B1 Bass Module loudspeakers connected draws up to 250 watts at 4 ohms
  5. ↑ one B1 Bass Module loudspeaker connected draws up to 125 watts at 8 ohms

[edit] Compatibility with Other Members of the L1® Family of Products

This Page Reviewed By Bose

Cylindrical Radiator®
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