L1® Model II
From Bose L1 Encyclopedia FAQ & Wiki
Input/Output Panel
Overview
ToneMatch® Port
For connecting the T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine to the L1® Model II.
The port sends electrical power to the T1 and accepts digital audio from the T1.
Close up
The connecting cable has a male Ethercon connection at each end that looks like this.
For details about the cable see: T1® Cables
Analog Input
The Analog input is a ¼ inch balanced input jack.
Analog input trim (volume, or gain) control
There is a trim control for the analog input.
With the audio on the input signal at or near its most intense, adjust the trim level on the Model II analog input until the LED begins to turn from yellow to red. Then reduce the trim level until the signal LED is predominantly yellow with only brief changes to red.
Can a stereo signal be used with the analog input?
A ¼ inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve connector carrying a stereo signal should not be used with the analog input on the Model II.
Even though a ¼ inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve connector can carry a stereo signal this is not how this physical connection is used on the L1® Model II Power Stand.
The analog input on the Model II is balanced, and will therefore subtract the Left and Right signals on a stereo cable and you will hear an L-R signal in the Model II.
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 can accept two inputs.
This makes it easy for two performers to connect their own T1®s to a L1® Model II Power Stand.
ToneMatch® Input
The ToneMatch® connection is specifically designed for a T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine. The ToneMatch® cable is supplied with the T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine and uses a male Ethercon connector at both ends.
Analog Input
The Analog connection is a ¼ inch phone jack. You can use this for a the second T1® using the T1® Analog Master output (¼ inch phone jack).
This connection is made with a standard ¼ inch jack instrument cable. This can be Tip-Sleeve or Tip-Ring-Sleeve connectors.
Set Power Stand Analog Input Trim to 3 to have approximately the same level as you would have if you had connected with the ToneMatch® connection. You may have to adjust this, but 3 is a good place to start.
Note: A T1® connected to the the Analog input will require the optional T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine power supply.
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[1]
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.[2]
There is a Firmware Update that addresses the fan behaviour. See: L1® Model II Power Stand Firmware Updates#Fan_Behavior
Noise During Shutdown
Q: When I turn off the Model II there is sound like flatulence. Is this normal?
A:
- Over a year ago we implemented an improvement which allowed the system to better withstand extreme low voltage conditions caused by brown outs etc. Units produced prior to this change were quiter during the power down sequence.
- Note: This noise is only present when the system is being turned off following use. For instances where this subtle noise is objectionable you may remove the Cylindrical Radiator loudspeaker and disconnect the Speakon cable of the B1 before powering down the system.
- For anyone that is experiencing noise during power down we want to assure you that your system is working properly. Also, there is no reason for customers with older power stands to be concerned with upgrading as any potential issues would have surfaced by now. [3]
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
- 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.[4]
Bass Line Out and B1 behavior
The behavior of the bass line out and B1 Bass Module outputs on the L1® Classic / L1® Model I / L1® Model II are based on the philosophy that adding B1 Bass Modules should give the user more dynamic range (can play louder) but should not alter the tone of the instrument, including tone adjustments made using the R1 Remote, the T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine or other tone-shaping equipment.
This philosophy is notably different from other manufacturers, who take the approach that it's okay (or desirable) that adding more bass speakers causes the instrument tone to become "bassier".
With this philosophy in mind, here is how the bass line out and B1 outputs work.
No cable plugged into the Bass Line out
| B1s connected | Output | EQ | Bass Signal Gain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40Hz-200Hz | B1 specific EQ | Reference Level | |
| 2 | 40Hz-200Hz | B1 specific EQ | Reference Level -6 dB | Why? Because when you add a second B1, if you did not change the signal strength you would get 6 dB more bass relative to the mids and highs. This would alter the tone of the instrument. To keep the tone the same, while still allowing the more dynamic range (system can play louder by 6 dB) the signal level must be reduced by 6 dB. |
Cable connected to the Bass Line Out
| B1s connected | Output | EQ | Bass Signal Gain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 40Hz-200Hz | Flat EQ | Reference Level -6 dB | |
| 1 | 40Hz-200Hz | B1 specific EQ on Bass Line Out and B1 Out | Reference Level -6 dB | If you are using a PackLite® power amplifier model A1 Extended Bass Package this is a total of 3 B1s (2 on the A1 and 1 on the Power Stand) |
| 2 | 40Hz-200Hz | B1 specific EQ on Bass Line Out and B1 Out | Reference Level -6 dB | If you are using a PackLite® power amplifier model A1 Extended Bass Package this is a total of 4 B1s (2 on the A1 and 4 on the Power Stand) |
With More Than 4 B1s
The Power Stand does not measure the exact number of PackLite® power amplifier model A1s, so there is a slight error if you use anything but 1,2, or 4 B1s.
For 6 B1s you will be 3.5 dB bass heavy, for 8 B1s it'll be 6 dB heavy.
Bass Module Output (powered output)
For the sake of those attaching third party passive speakers (an unsupported application).
Output if no B1 Bass Modules detected
- 40-200 Hz Bandpass (that is: NO B1 EQ)
If one or two B1 Bass Modules detected (or resistors used across NL4 2+ / 2- pins to emulate detection)
- 40-200 Hz with different EQ curves
For details on how to do this see: Activating B1 EQ Curves and Using a Different Sub
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose talks about Start Up and Cycle times with the L1® Model II
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose Model II Fan Noise
- ↑ Neil-at-Bose Modell II Shutdown Noises August 3, 2009
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose talks about Using the L1™ Model II Power Stand without any speakers attached
L1® Model II Crossover
There is no change in crossover frequency for the Cylindrical Radiators® depending on the presence/absence of B1 Bass Modules attached to the Bass Module output. This is due to the design change (Cylindrical Radiator® is not ported whereas Classic and Model I are.) The L1® Model II is designed to always be used with at least one B1, whereas the L1® Model I / L1® Classic was designed to used with or without a B1 Bass Module.
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
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® Model II , however the spatial and spectral performance of will be greatly reduced, so this has only a very limited application. - Hilmar-at-Bose[5]
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® Model II.
For very detailed notes about this see Half Stack.
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 with Other Members of the L1® Family of Products
- The Cylindrical Radiator speaker sections of the L1® Classic, the L1® Model I and the L1® Model II are not compatible with each other.
- The Cylindrical Radiator speaker sections of the L1® Classic can only be used with the Classic PS1 power stand (no orange markings on the input/output panel).
- The Cylindrical Radiator speaker sections of the L1® Model I (orange markings on the back of both sections) can only be used with the Model I PS1 power stand (orange markings on the input/output panel.
- The Cylindrical Radiator speaker sections of the L1® Model II can only be used with the L1® Model II power stand.
- The T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine can be used with the
- L1® Classic
- L1® Model I
- L1® Model II
- L1® Compact
- The PackLite® power amplifier model A1 can be used with
- L1® Classic
- L1® Model I
- L1® Model II.
- The B1 Bass Module can be used with the
- L1® Classic
- L1® Model I
- L1® Model II.
Related Documents
- L1® Model II System Owner's Guide
- L1® Model II System Quick Set-up Guide
- L1® Model II Technical Data
- L1® Model II FAQs (Bose® official version)
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[6]
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose talks about Start Up and Cycle times with the L1® Model II
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose Model II Fan Noise
- ↑ Neil-at-Bose Modell II Shutdown Noises August 3, 2009
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose talks about Using the L1™ Model II Power Stand without any speakers attached
- ↑ Hilmar-at-Bose talks about using the lower half (only) of the L1® Cylindrical Radiator in the Bose® Musicians Community Message Boards
- ↑ Ken-at-Bose April 4, 2007 Help choosing between the Model I and the Model II
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose talks about Start Up and Cycle times with the L1® Model II
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose Model II Fan Noise
- ↑ Neil-at-Bose Modell II Shutdown Noises August 3, 2009
- ↑ MikeZ-at-Bose talks about Using the L1™ Model II Power Stand without any speakers attached
Categories: Bose Reviewed | Connections | Model II | Stage Layout | T1 | A1 PackLite® | PS1 Powerstand | Classic | Model I | Bass | B1
