Purchased 2 Bose Pro 8s January 27th 2021. Used them on 61 church concerts and now have a difficult time getting top secured to sub to get top speakers to work Have to wiggle until we find the sweet spot and hope nothing happens during the concert. Contacted Sweetwater a few times during my use saying these will not last. Now, they are 2 weeks out of warranty and nothing they can do. Great sound but total JUNK
Oh dear! So sorry to hear that your PA is difficult to function after only 61 events. No matter how much you earn from the events, you expect your investment to last and not fail
Thanks for alerting us to this issue. In our business we have the L1 Compacts, L1 Model 2's & EV Evolves. I was thinking of replacing the Model 2's with this one but having good height is really important. I might hold off now.
I hope this helps @bose make better fit, design for the next version. I own L1 Pro 32 & I have no complaints as far as ease of setup. The sound quality is so pristine. To me those two things are so much more important than the gripes you have with the system. Still, I hope it will help Bose improve this excellent system in the next iterations.
Excellent REVIEW! I totally agree with your findings. I too have EV50s and the vertical driver mount is superior compared to the flimsy BOSE vertical mount you show in the video. What I do like about the BOSE pro16 is the built in mixer with effects (that would eliminate a the stand alone mixer in my current rig), however, it is obvious the BOSE could not hold up to my busy gigging schedule for breakdowns/setups (solo keyboard player/singer, 100+ events per year). To me, the Bose products sound good BUT have a toy-like build quality and of course are overpriced (but what isn't over priced in the pro audio sector)? I see EV recently introduced the EV30M and 50M that are improved versions of EV30 and EV50 but now with a mixer and effects. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Greetings: I'd written to you in the past about the Bose Pro series system. I am a singer/songwriter playing mostly in wineries in Northern Arizona. Yesterday I went to the Guitar Center to purchase the EV Evolve 50. The salesman was questioning my decision in an informative manner. In that, "are you sure you want that system". He said, they do not sell many of the systems and as a customer put it, once you've been using a Bose, it difficult to go to something else. Well sir, I tried the EV, oh my gosh it was terrible via my Phone 11. I tried lots of settings and still terrible. Then I went to the Pro Pro 16. OK, OK the towers poorly designed. The wobbling was not acceptable but the sound was truly fantastic. On a whim, I pulled apart the plastic end, put it aside and plugged the main tower into the bass unit. Oh my god what a difference. It worked and yes the tower is a a bit lower but no side to side movement was gone. I decided on the Pro 16. Something to consider.
@@opaz. Thank you sir. I think the good news is the system does not wobble and the sound is great. Trouble is, I lost my USB C cord now I have to buy another one of course the issue with no cover for the bass unit is still a pisser. Now I have to purchase a cover as well. I hate this!
HI, I have researched hours of RU-vid videos, and in line array systems the Bose L1 16 is winning, surprised to read you thought the sound was terrible from the Evolve 50, and far superior from the bose, Opaz has said bose are cutting corners and I believe they are, and what's directing me away from bose is when he took the bose apart and showed us exactly what your paying for that was the bose 32, Perhaps your right in what you say here, that the bose L1 16 is where they put the money into the sound and power and skimped on the connections, But you say also here that there was a huge difference in sound by removing the small connector pole, Opaz you should demonstrate this to us, all very interesting..
Martin. The continuous high pitch shriek from the L16 column as soon as you switch the unit on, without anything plugged into it was the moment RETURN & REFUND entered my head
Well thats made my mind up. I actually tested the Yamaha Stagepas 1K out and its absolutely amazing and you can buy two so you get left and right for the price of one of these
Currently I've checked out the Mackie SRM, the Evolve 30 and the Bose L1 Pro 8 (purchased). I am disappointed in the wobbly aspect of the Bose array but the sound as a female vocalist from the Bose is unmatched. I don't have to scream or push as hard . I used the Bluetooth on my Ipad for my backing tracks and all is well. I carried it in a small wagon from my car to the event hosting 60 people in one trip, easy set up in 10 minutes. Bose you need real musicians in your quality control.
I tried to buy 2 x Stagepas 1K a few months ago but Yamaha discontinued them. I wonder if it's worth trying to seek out used ones (always a sketchy prospect).
The issue isn’t an issue when you have it set up and doing what it’s designed to do. We aren’t over there rocking it while playing music or talking. You could take any PA speaker on a stand and see they also rock (or sways when hanging with a wire). The point is, are they designed for you to push and pull on them? Or to produce amplification and live sound in small to large venues?
I don't know of any similar design (woofer on floor, column supporting tweeter) that is nearly as flakey as the L1 Pro16. So while it's probably likely that it won't fall over of its own accord or even from most wind (because it's very thin), live gear needs to be built to tolerate at least mild "abuse" or "clumsiness". The cheap plastic will likely break when being bumped or dropped from approximately knee height. With 1 finger I could push over the column and break it off from its connection (I didn't, but it easily felt as if I could do that). Treat the thing like a glass vase and it'll last forever I suppose.
Great to see such an honest review. RU-vid is a cesspit of “reviews” that are just paid endorsements of such products. I use an L1 in my magic shows. Mostly because it sets up and packs away so quickly.
CANCEL ORDER!!! Unacceptable column design. Both the plastic connection and the unsturdy column (sway). You are on point. For Approximately $1800 this needs to be redesigned. Will look into other p.a. systems and reconsider if bose makes things right. Very dissapointed.
Wow I just bought two and was immediately struck with how bad the connection was and said to myself...."no magnet"??? I'm seriously thinking about returning this but the tone match system is why I might keep it.
The wobble in the tower really bothers me. I have an L1 Model II , extra amp, 2 B2 subs. I have been on the fence about upgrading to the Pro 32. Thank you.😢😢
You certainly have valid points I agree with, but when you're rocking it, some of that rocking is the base unit which will affect how much sway is at the top. Also, why isn't it just on a flat surface rather than the pallet?
I anticipated somebody saying that which is why I focused on the rocking gap at the column base ......and at....8:36 the pa is indoors on a solid hard surface It's on a pallet outdoors like the bags were because the ground is sodden and very muddy, not ideal conditions to put your brand new $1799 PA on! If you think the wobble is exaggerated, It doesn't end there. Another upload to follow
@@opaz. yes. I have that bose 700 soundbar at home. I am EXTREMELY pleased with it. So I can only imagine the Pro32. You say the 32 will be "ok".....what makes you so sure?? i mean, it still has to connect in the middle. I want no wobble.
The pro16 column is top heavy supported by a plastic spacer that fits one end and not the other. The 32's column looks all metal as it houses all those drivers so you should be "ok"
Thanks for the video. I've been looking at the Bose L1 and have heard others say the same thing. Poor construction. Thats terrible. I would be pissed if I shelled out that kind of money for something that wobbled like that. Bose should be embarassed. I've crossed the L1 off my list.
@@jeremybouchard9898 zzSounds was advertising get it by Dec 28 so I did a chat with them and they said yes. Today I looked at the product page. Get it by Jan 26. So maybe they were trying to entice ordering through them- and maybe Bose caught wind of it ....because every other dealer was mid January
Thank you so much for the review. it is April 2021 now and I am thinking about buying the L1 pro 16. I have not checked the unit out yet at the music store, but I will now know to look and see if they have done anything to fix this issue.
Thank you very much for this review I’m actually hunting for the best system and was thinking about Bose. Since you made this video I’m happy you pointed this out so I’ll go for the EV instead... Cheers🤙
I heard couple reviews with that 1 same problem but the sound was amazing was gonna buy 1 but I’ll jus stick to what I have the Turbosound IP3000 it’s heavy but solid as hell and sounds amazing 🤙
@@Andy1x I don't think so. Seems Bose is being left behind by some companies. EV just came out with a new battery powered weatherized portable PA system...
In the upload 8:35, the unstable PRO16 column is also tested indoors on a solid hardwood floor Not gonna test a $1799 PA outdoors in the mud, hence pallet
I had the original Maui 28, drunks would always lean on the column and talk to me, I’d slap their hands when they got to point of annoying me, that Bose, that would worry me ...thanks for the video 🙂
Uggg I demo'd and preferred them against everything in the store. Gonna wait and hope they can do better in the near future. I'll continue to use my heavy yamahas for now.
Thanks for the video, shocking to see Bose cheap out like this. Nowhere near the quality of the L1 Compact and L1 Model 2 connections. I was looking at the L1 Pro16 to replace my old L1 Compacts, I'll be going with EV Evolve 30M now...
Just wow. That spacer needs to dig in deep at least 5 inches into the sub for any sort of tight fit. Bose spent most of their effort into the sound engineering and totally overlooked the form fit. I can't fathom the idea of that entire column arrays height and weight is only supported by that ultra flimsy connection. Agree, total fail.
Good video as a Bose l1 model 1 and and a Bose l1 model 2 owner looking to upgrade I may as well stick with what I’ve got I’m a kJ DJ I get compliments on my sound and people have bought stuff after seeing my show I would not be happy recommending this though the footprint is great and I wanted this to be a winner
Wow thanks ,I won't be getting one ,I work at kids party s too unsafe , l1 compact better this is an accident waiting to happen i think ,spot on reveiw
Look cool but inherently flawed design. If the base were inset a couple more inches leaving a more substantial supporting "collar" then it wouldn't wobble very much. Plus, when connected via Bluetooth you're only connected to 1 stack at a time. If you want to send Bluetooth audio out to one stack and connect an other to it via cabling you only get mono audio not stereo so no stereo separation!
Purchased two BOSE L1 Pro 16 units. The instructions state it must be updated before it is used. Why it doesn't come updated from the factory is beyond me. The first one updated just fine. The second unit failed to connect. Hours upon hours of trouble shooting, I called BOSE support and they advised me to take it back. Took it back to Guitar Center and came home with a replacement. BOOM! Nothing. Same issue as the last one. Called BOSE support again and they said they would get back to me "within a few days." Took that one back today and received yet a third replacement. This one also fails to update but on top of that, the lighting on the mixer is sketchy and appears to have got past QA. When I return this one, it will be my 4th unit. I am 1/2 tempted to just return both and be done with it. When you shell out this kind of coin for an item, it should work right out the box, no questions asked. What a disappointment.
Now I’m suscribed. I’m following you but I find you a little hater vs Bose. It cannot be that bad. I was considering the pro16 but you considered that almost garbage! I was considering the pro32 without sub and add My own sub but because the weight. Not just the quality
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B7OyHtXMXrc.html my upload above is not hate, the same goes for my bose l1 upload. Nothing but praise! Pioneer with their latest all-in-one controllers are carrot danglers, whereas Denon are the opposite with theirs. Bose brand their products blatantly overprice for what they produce, I've tried & tested enough to come to that conclusion If products from any manufacturer don't cut it, I will reveal why! Many state bose as "the best", if that was so I shouldn't be able to create a fail upload. When it comes to the 16 with the high pitch piercing sound and the unstable column. .. is that "the best"?
I'll demo but not buy it. Its nearly 3K, not worth it no way!!!!.. That is way too much for a PA with 128dB. For that money I want 2 subs not 1 and a peak at 136dB minimum
Just a quick question? I am doing live music ( electric lead and rhythm guitar, vocals as well as backing tracks) and I am also doing DJ events ( mostly event DJ work...weddings, parties, etc. ) Am I right to conclude that your recommendation sound-wise for me would be the EV 50? I understand this is just your personal feelings so I won't hold you to it. I will definitely sound-check both myself.
The 16 is a good performer (sound) but I consider it not to be "fit for purpose" as a PA, due to its poor build. They both sound different. I prefer the EV but it does suffer from a lack of mids and to be honest, the EV is not the best sounding compact column but the setup is second to none Demo both and the others out there. You never know, sound-wise, the 16 could be for you
Thank you very much for your great review.. Please can you recommend me a good PA system brand with a good quality sound, with Bluetooth option to buy? I am a singer and I was just this close to buy the BOSE L1 PRO 16 . i want a PA system to be able to use for outdoor venues.. And BOSE customer service told me through a phone consultation that the L1 PRO 16 was perfect for an audience number of 200 people. Please if you can recommend me a good brand PA system with good quality sound for outdoors for a venue of 200 people.. Thanks..
I'm commenting here because I am searching for the same thing [a pair for DJ use]. I LOVE the Bose L1Pro16 sound but the physical build quality is a deal-breaker methinks. I have used 2 x L1Pro8 for year and they also sound fantastic [but not loud enough for the bigger venues we'll be at], and although the build quality is the same, it manifests itself much less so because the top sections are smaller/lighter.
My LD Systems Maui 11 G2 columns are made from aluminium and have precision steel pins for keeping the parts in place. Very solid, zero sway. Bose should 've done more real life testing before giving green lights to these plastic 'sockets'. This looks very cheap.
OK so the Electra voice is built better than the bars. But what about sound quality which one sounds the best because we are buying something for sound not something for stability. If we were looking for ultrastable we would probably just go with the old style PA system and not bother with this new crap. Please let me know your findings
The pro16 sounds like a big radio that's it, The ev is actually awake and more of an attractive buy when it comes to sound. All of this is (in my opinion) but it has weak mids. They both have pros and cons. As they tirelessly keep saying 🥱 yawn yawn yawn "sound is subjective". Demo them Tell you the honest truth I'd rather buy subs and tops or 2 good 15's for how i like things to sound. I only say "how I like things to sound" as it's my money paying for the equipment Compact colums are only good for keeping things discreet and keeping equipmentweight down. The consequences are that sound quality suffers
We all buy a product for stability (build quality) as well as sound and value for money. Don't let manufacturers hear that we don't otherwise Bose will continue building failures like this.
What one with similar specs and maybe sturdier build would you recommend though in 2024?.@opaz. I'm a singer looking to sing house/ dance music through one of these with a wireless mic and option of a few eq etc any thoughts?. It seems to be either this Bose pro l1 16 but now I'm put off. The Studio master 121Mk or Ev8
Jay, you will need to demo the units unfortunately. Being a singer/performer there are more crucial pairing factors involved, that your style of performance requires.
Thanks for your reply. Any other compact column you might suggest I demo? I am in Vancouver, Canada and these are the main two we see over here although JBL has one I see.
ok, they should solve it, i believe, tell me something, i saw that you had a lot of experiences with sounds of different brands, did you happen to have the opportunity to test the Kb1 K-array Blueline sound? Thanks.
Hope for them the 32pro wont be the same... ill keep my f1 kit! Sold my 1203 never liked the sound... evolve 50 are hard to beat especially from now on with the small events
Hello friend, I watched some of your videos where you show the problem of the Bose L1 pro, I am a fan of Bose but I was completely disappointed with this last L1 project in terms of connectivity, did you get any answer from Bose? Did you return the device to the store? Marcos Gava from Brazil.
Can you tell me the differences between the prx one and db1203(using in mono setup single column stack) in terms of spl/bass output? I've bough the prx first, feels like a cheap toy column, similar connection to the bose pro16, thin, fragile material... After 2 hour using it I can't stand to see the limiter led start to flash when the system is on 75%, tops can get louder but the bass can't keep this increment, even using hp filter... So I returned and changed with db1203... Different animals, wood cabinet, solid connections...
I would be very disappointed as well... I can’t believe they would release this product with their name on it! 😳 wonder who they had test these? Whoever it was clearly didn’t have a lot of sense! I pre ordered the l1 pro32 I pray they didn’t cut corners on it because it’s my first Bose purchase ever.🙏🏻
was gonna buy the 16 and tested it for an hour here at Guitar Center Winter Park Florida. Loved the sound on my Kremona flamenco guitar with pickup but I noticed this swaying when I was positioning the speaker away from the wall. SMH! $1800 NO THANKS so unfortunate. So much for waiting for the re-design of the L1.
@@opaz. I've already pulled the trigger on a EV 50. The build, FX and 3 band EQ on the app sold me. If I don't like the sound I'll send it back. Thanks for the review!
@@opaz. Yep just $200 more and 2 more xlr inputs and variety of FX. We'll see how it sounds compared to the 16 which sounded really nice especially the mids (very important for the guitar)
well i just bought the new pro 32 and sub 2,..with the tonematch mixer close to $4,000,......if any of this shits goin on,... theres gonna be trouble,... & it will be sweetwaters problem.
It sounds like a large radio, goes loud sounds clear, not crystal clear as I often hear. EV has better HF and LF performance but lacks the mids of the Pro16. When it comes to price (value for money), the ES is available in white, it is mono & stereo & £500 cheaper. Say no more!
@@opaz. ok, thank you for your opinion, I have the ES1203 it's a good system, that can sound very loud and is not very expensive but the bass is not really deep. I was wondering how that would compare with more expensive systems like L1 pro 16 or Evolve 50.
wow, we have very different taste or hearing. All those years at the London School of Audio Engineering and in the studio mixing Gorillaz ...wasted. More bass, honestly, you are joking 🤣
Yes, far too much plastic for that kind of money. I'll test the Bluetooth, haven't tested it yet. I've given up on the whole system to be honest. Will test and get back to you!
Really disappointing. I've got the previous L1 Model II at present. The plastic electrical connections look the same but the pole connections are solidly constructed: those L1 II array poles aren't going anywhere. Is the L1 Pro 16 array "solid" without the extension piece? I was looking to change to the Pro 16: less pieces, lighter, more powerful but the same Bose Sound but now I feel really let down by Bose.
Firstly, thank you so much for the review of this appalling issue. It is not often that I am moved to make comment! Just before Covid lockdown, I actually purchased the Bose L1 Compact and, of course, ended up never using it in "the real world" due to the pandemic. Consequently therefore, just in-house use so far. Perhaps not surprisingly, if I had been purchasing such system right now, I would probably go for the "Pro 8" .... more mixer facility, reverb', app' etc. In fact, with the thought of "upgrading" to a "Pro 8" firmly in mind, it was during my surveying the reviews, demo's and marketing stuff for the "Pro 8" that I came across your report. My goodness, am I glad I did! I know that your review is specifically regarding the "Pro 16", rather than the "Pro 8", but, based on what you have clearly shown, I will now definitely not purchase either of them. Irrespective of how good it sounds and all it's other attributes, I cannot tolerate flimsy! Frankly, Bose might well know how to do Sound Engineering, but what you have shown illustrates that they could well do with paying significant attention to their Mechanical Engineering expertise! The column section join detail is pathetic and, in my view, whoever designed & passed it as "fit for purpose" should be relieved of their duties! Producing mechanically robust, rigid, column connections is easy for goodness sake ........ it is beyond me why a company with the world-wide reputation of Bose allows such a woefully bad feature to sully their otherwise desirable product. Pitiful!
Glyn!. ..I couldn't have put it better myself. When brands think they can survive from their name and churn out substandard products and happily take our cash. .. that's not on. I hope other potential customers view and ponder over your extremely valuable comments. 👍🏼
I have used 2 x Bose L1 Pro8 for about a year [in a DJ context] and although it has the same pole-connect design as the L1 Pro16, it is much less wobbly and embarrassing. That's because the top part with the tweeters is much shorter, and the extender column is much longer, so it isn't as top heavy. They sound great, but as I have mentioned in another post, I'm looking to buy something louder than the L1 Pro8, and the L1 Pro16 exactly fits that bill sonically [a very "hi fi" sound], but I am hesitant because of its poor build quality. I only need a line input; no built in mixer is necessary since DJs use an external mixer.
Think of the spacer as just a thing that puts the tweeter section further away. Electrically, it's just more wire. Losing the spacer only means that the tweeter section will be lower to the ground, which will only have acoustic ramifications, not electrical.
@@opaz. thx for the reply. I sold my two Bose L1 compact and bought an evolve 50m and was wondering if I had made a mistake. Should return the 50m and buy 2 pro8’s
Seppe did you do a sound demo? My advice and opinion is exactly that. You really need to make sure that YOUR choice suits YOU. What are you using the pa for?
The Pro8 has the same support design, but because the top section with the tweeters is half the size/weight, the problem isn't nearly as obvious. I haven't notice a high pitch whine though; I'll have to listen closely next time I'm near one.
I love the Bose sound, and was about to recommend 2 x L1 Pro 16 for the ecstatic dance organization I work for but when I saw one set up at a local music store I couldn't believe how cheap and wobbly it was. Do the EV50s sound as "hi fi" as the Bose? Or any other recommendation for a system with heavy part that stays on the floor?
The EV50 doesn't have good mids but is much more stable on the floor. There are many similar style alternative systems to choose from, depending what you're looking for. Pro 16 design/build quality is dreadful
I'm looking for something with a very "hi fi" sound, like Bose. Nothing harsh and aggressive. The "loudness" should be derived from the deep clear bass, not from SPL for the sake of it. If Bose kept the same build quality as before, it would be a no-brainer to buy the L1 Pro 16. I wonder what the Bose F series is like, with subwoofer and top speaker. I realize it would be a little more complicated to set up (2 power cables, 2 audio cables).
Oh dear! Apparently, bose have stated that the column wobble is a myth. I would love bose to upload a setup video of the L16, showing this myth It's a result of POOR BUILD & POOR DESIGN The high pitch sound from the column was the very last straw for me
Afraid to ask, but Bose never corrected this issue with a product update, did they? I love the sound of this system but as you said no QC and the assembly is sloppy, poor, and risky for owners.
I know they make tons of products and make millions from them but the most important people to bose should be their customers (well I thought it was!) but here they didn't listen and with the quality (or lack of it) with new products like these. Welcome to the new bose