Bose L1 Review

Elixir is out to replace our existing sound system.  It works okay, but the amp is underpowered for our honkin' (borrowed) JBL speakers.

One of the options we considered is the Bose L1 PAS, which just happens to be what Church Chix uses, so I do have experience with it.  Not sure if it's appropriate for Elixir, though.

Several years ago, when Church Chix finally stopped using borrowed PA's, one of our members purchased a Bose L1 Model 1.  We ran all vocals and the violin through it and kept the other instruments on their own amps.  Later, another member purchased another Bose L1 Model 1 and we plugged everything but bass into the dual system.  It fit our needs to a T. 

Here's why:

1. Portability.  Church Chix is all girls.  We don't want to haul a bunch of 140 lb. speakers, plus monitors, plus amp and sound board, plus instument amps in addition to all the mic stands, cables, instruments and so forth.  It's just a lot of stuff to schlep around and none of us is eager to tow a trailer in which to haul it all.  The Bose system breaks down to almost nothing.  The entire band - every single thing including instruments, mics, stands, two Bose L1s - everything for our six-piece band (except the drum kit) fits right into the back of my Suburban Assault Vehicle. 
2. Sets up and breaks down quickly and easily.  Unzip the cases, fit the two pieces of the tower into the base, plug in a few lines, flip the switch and it's ready to go.  We can easily set it up without breaking our backs or asking for husbandly help.  Easy breezy!
3. No monitors.  The towers stand behind us so we hear exactly what the audience hears.  Each musician hears the exact same thing.
4. Fewer items strung together.  Hence, fewer cables, fewer things to have to trouble-shoot and fewer potential troubles to shoot.
5. Visual appeal.  The towers are tall, narrow and sleek-looking.  Nothing stands out in front of the band to block the audience's view.
6. No dead spots. Each tower disperses the sound in almost a 180 degree cone.  With two of them pointed directly ahead, the entire room is filled.  We've played some pretty good sized rooms, the largest being a little bigger than a large gymnasium, and there was no sound fall off at the back of the room. None at all.
7. Clear sound.  I'm talking crystal clear.  Nice and crisp, great detail. Which could actually be a disadvantage if you're trying to cover up for less-than-great vocals because nothing at all is lost with this system.
8. Even sound.  No sound blast from standing directly in front of an amp.
9. Versitile.  We're a six-piece using two towers.  I'd love to add a third tower to the mix.  When Bose designed the system, they had in mind for each member to have their own tower, with all towers daisy chained together.  The more towers you add, the more power you add to the mix.
10. Perfect for small ensembles.  Solo acts, duos, acoustic acts and such seem to love this thing!  I've heard several such acts running through the Bose L1 and the sound was mah-velous.
11. Avoid house systems.  I hate sounding good in the studio, then sounding like crap in some over-abused house system.  (See #1)
12. Great bass!  Bass components can be added separately, as many as you'd like.  The low end is fat, round and solid.  We use one bass component.  I run my rig directly into the component, which is about the size of a small duffle bag, then run out of the component directly into the system.  This allows me to control my sound from my amp.  So my bass sound actually comes out of my amp as well as out of the L1 and it's plenty.

Cons:

1. Pricey!!  Not so bad with just two towers, really.  Piece together a new, quality system with mains, monitors, amp and mixer from scratch and you're coming out about the same.  If you go with the newer Model II system, adding in the Tone Match audio engine (which I've never used, but think is a way cool idea for eliminating a mixer) the price does go up.  And Bose has things set so retailers can NOT offer any discounts on this system AT ALL.  If each band member ran through their own tower, it would be cost prohibitive.
2. Tinny highs.  I have not experienced this personally, but reviews done by other folks say the extreme highs sound bad.  Keyboards, violins, harmonicas, alto saxes. . . some instruments may be affected by this.  Church Chix runs keys and violins directly into the Bose L1 and it sounds great.  YMMV
3. Feeback issues.  I've read complaints from other reviewers that feeback is a problem because the speakers sit behind the mics.  Church Chix resolved it by turning the speakers out just a little rather than pointed straight ahead. Because of the near 180deg sound cone, that works for us.  I don't know what would happen if we added a third column.  My guess is that, with each additional unit, the volume we'd need per unit could be lowered, reducing the feedback potential that way.  Just a guess. I'd love to try it.
4. Not for everyone.  I don't know that death metal bands would get the ear-bleed effect they strive for using the Bose L1 unless they add a bunch of towers. 
5. Not for large venues.  While the L1 could still provide excellent service as monitors, if the venue is large enough to seat 500 or more, you'll still need piles of giant mains.
6. Don't know about outdoor gigs.  I haven't read any reviews by loud bands using the L1 for large outdoor gigs.  I have personally seen it used by small acts for cosy outdoor events and it did fine.  Church Chix used it in a store parking lot for a summer music program once.  The sound reached 50 yards away without any fall off.   Don't know if it would have reached farther.
7. The Bose Name.  I know people who despise Bose.  And I know people who love everything about it.  The former group tends to be more passionate and outspoken than the latter, which has resulted in a negative reputation for all things Bose.  My question:  Why? When they consistently pack tons of sound into itty, bitty pieces of equipment. Why aren't the other companies following suit?

Right now, Elixir is leaning away from the Bose L1 system.  We have a trailer, we have guys to set up and haul things.  Which means we can deal with the big, cumbersom sound systems that take forever to set up and are a fact of band life.

If money were no object, I'd push for the Bose, though.  Yeah, I'm spoiled.

I'm really interested to hear others' experiences with the Bose L1.  Have you ever played through one?  Have you ever heard a band that used them?  What are your thoughts/likes/dislikes? 

And please do throw in your .02 for what Elixir should look for as we shop for sound.  Budget is $3K-ish.  We're a five-man:  guitar/vox, guitar/sax, keys/vox, bass/vox, drums/vox.    We do a lot of small-to-medium indoor and outdoor venues.  We have a trailer and we're not afraid to use it. 

Any equipment preferences that we should consider?