L1® Classic

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This Page Reviewed By Bose

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Documentation

L1® Classic Owners Guide


How to Tell the Difference Between L1 Models

This is how to tell which L1® unit you have.


 
2020 - Present L1 Pro8, L1 Pro16, L1 Pro32
2020 - Present Sub module for L1 Pro32
2018 - Present 4 channel ToneMatch Mixer (stereo)
2018 - Present 8 channel ToneMatch Mixer (stereo)
2018 - Present Extremely Portable PA Battery powered
2015 - Present Flexible Array Loudspeaker and Subwoofer

2003 - 2007 Classic30.pngRounded front. The Output Panel has Amp1 Out, Amp2 Out, Amp3 Out
2007 - 2012 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.
2012 - 2020 MII32.pngExtending legs, one Cylindrical Radiator® (Top Array), Bottom Extension
2007 - 2020 MII32.pngExtending legs, two Cylindrical Radiator®s, Bass Line Out,
2003 - 2020 B1 Bass ModuleUp to two per Power Stand (above). More if using the PackLite® power amplifier model A1. 2 x 5.25" drivers, 26.6 lb
2012 - 2020 B2 Bass ModuleUp to one per Power Stand (above). More if using the PackLite® power amplifier model A1. 2 x 10" drivers 45 lb. 3 position switch.
2005 - 2020  Allows bass expansion for L1 Classic L1 Model I L1 Model II (not L1 Compact not L1 Model 1S)
2007 - 2018 T1® ToneMatch Audio EngineT1 ToneMatch Audio Engine
2009 - 2021 L1® CompactIntegrated Power Stand and Bass Unit, two Extensions


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.

The serial number for any Classic tower should start with 032495 [1].

Comparison of the Classic to the Model I

Acoustical Output

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

In the L1 Classic, the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker is powered by two (2) 250 Watt amplifiers. In the Model I and Model II, the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker is powered by one (1) 250 Watt amplifier. The Classic, the Model I, and the Model II all use a second 250 Watt amplifier to power one or two B1 bass modules (update: or a single B2 Bass Module).

Although these numbers serve as a point of reference they do not tell the whole story. During the design of the L1 Model I and the L1 Model II 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.


— Source: Ken-at-Bose, Neil-at-Bose


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.)


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  • 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 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).


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Detailed View of Input / Output Panel for 3 Amps

Note: All white inputs are unbalanced (Amp 1, Amp 2, Amp 3 ,All Amps In)

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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.


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L1 Model I Orange Markings

L1 Model I This information is applicable to the L1 Model I

The L1 Model I has orange L1® Markings on the Power Stand and the L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker sections. The other Models do not have these.

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Power Stand

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L1 Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker sections

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Downloads for the L1 Classic


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[2]

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.


Holistic View

A Holistic View of the L1® [3]

Classic This information is applicable to the L1® Classic

The L1 System (Physical)

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

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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)[4] 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.

Two B1 Bass Modules as one bass loudspeaker

Think of the pair of B1 Bass Modules (Purple highlight) is a single bass loudspeaker with 4 (6.5 inch)[4] drivers supplied by 250 watts. [5]

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

The L1 System (Amplifiers & Power)

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

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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.

B1 Bass Modules

If you break the pair of B1 Bass Modules in half, and use just one of them, it draws 125 watts.[6]

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


Use the proper cables

Warning - Use Blue B1 Cables NL4 cables with your L1 Classic / L1 Model I / L1 Model 1S L1 Model II

Classic This information is applicable to the L1® Classic
L1 Model I This information is applicable to the L1 Model I
L1 Model II This information is applicable to the L1®  Model II
B1 Bass ModuleThis information is applicable to the B1 Bass Module
B2 Bass ModuleThis information is applicable to the B2 Bass Module

If you are using a B1 Bass Module with your Power Stand it is ESSENTIAL for proper operation that you use the BLUE cable supplied with the B1 Bass Module or B2 Bass Module. This is required so that the L1 Classic/L1 Model I/L1 Model 1S/L1 Model II Power Stand can correctly identify when there are bass modules connected to it and if so, how many.

B1 Cable


Please click the picture above for ordering information.

Note
The B2 Bass Level Switch will not change the sound of the B2 Bass Module if you are not using the correct cable.

See: PS1 Power Stand / Bass Line Out for details about how the Power Stand adapts to the number of bass modules are connected to it.


You may also use high quality NL4 cables (four conductor cables). Alternate and longer cables for B1s



Model I

L1 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. The serial number for any Classic tower should start with 032495. Nick-at-Bose
  2. Hilmar-at-Bose talks about using the lower half (only) of the L1® Cylindrical Radiator in the Bose® Musicians Community Message Boards
  3. Originally appeared in the Bose® Pro Portable PA Community
  4. 4.0 4.1 Quoting Hilmar-at-Bose
  5. two B1 Bass Module loudspeakers connected draws up to 250 watts at 4 ohms
  6. one B1 Bass Module loudspeaker connected draws up to 125 watts at 8 ohms

Compatibility with Other Members of the L1® Family of Products

This Page Reviewed By Bose

Cylindrical Radiator®s

Cylindrical Radiator®
Cylindrical Radiator®s are not interchangeable across models

Specifically (and without exception)

T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine, T4S/T8S ToneMatch® Mixers

T1 This information is applicable to the T1 ToneMatch® audio engine
T4S This information is applicable to the T4S ToneMatch® mixer
T8S This information is applicable to the T8S ToneMatch® mixer

PackLite® power amplifier Model A1

A1 PackLite AmpThis information is applicable to the PackLite® A1 Power Amplifier

B1 Bass Module

B1 Bass ModuleThis information is applicable to the B1 Bass Module

B2 Bass Module

B2 Bass ModuleThis information is applicable to the B2 Bass Module