CHEAT SHEET
WHEN BOSE INVENTED the L1 system 17 years ago, no one could have imagined how indispensable its gamechanging design and intended purpose would be today, considering the current musical landscape. With most soundmen sidelined and music venues shuttered due to the pandemic and social distancing, the need for a portable and powerful PA system — like the L1 — as an ergonomic sound solution for peripatetic performers having to adapt to where they play has never been more crucial. The last iteration of the system appeared in 2012, but the good news is Bose never stopped reimagining its modular L1 family despite the amount of competition and imitation in this space from a product they created. With that in mind, the company introduced three “new generation” models — the L1 Pro8, L1 Pro16 and the L1 Pro32, with a choice of two powered bass (subwoofer) modules (Sub1 and Sub2), all of which address specific power needs from musicians to DJs. Each model has been completely redesigned from the ground up with advanced functionality, app control (via Bose’s L1 Mix app) and Bluetooth connectivity, and streamlined for easy transport. After spending some time with the L1 Pro16, the “middle child” of the three, I find Bose vastly advanced their modular L1 design with clear-cut improvements in sound and performance that will undoubtedly speak to solo artists and singer-songwriter duos looking for a compact PA that delivers on all fronts.