Bose L1 Model ii vs RCF Evox 8...which system can handle larger events effectively?

I had the F1's but the subs have a thing called "out-gassing" that I could not get rid of. In fact, I nearly cleared a ballroom in downtown Pittsburgh because of the smell. Bose did everything they could to help me. They sent new speakers, tried everything but in the end, I went back to the L1, Model II and love it.

I ALWAYS use two of them. I prefer that "look" to just one. I also always use two B2s. I also have the L1, Model 1S for ceremonies and cocktail hours. With three bose systems in my arsenal, I can do any wedding. I also picked up the SKB cases for everything, which keeps everything looking new.

Pardon me if you think I am bragging but I get more complements on the Bose sound & look than I ever did with EV, HK Audio, QSC, etc. For a wedding dj, that is very important.

I realize that JT .

I just don't know or have understanding who and how they come up with these numbers and figures. I'm sure there's a formula but not one that I confidently apply to DJ-world.

DJMagicMoment: That printed circuit board over wash that one production run must have had was awful. Fortunately mine dissipated on the fourth really hard use (nearing limitation).

Ironically, my Pioneer DJM-5000 still emits that smell after a solid year and half of constant pounding. It's unnerving because the odor is the same as electronic frying.

Doubt it Cap. They sent me a replacement and it was just as bad. Great speakers but what a pain to use in a very formal environment when every detail counts, including smell.

Sorry for your problem. More sorry that Bose did not follow up with you to insure satisfaction.

Oh, they did just fine. Really. Not much more they can do than swap them out. Sure love being back with the L1, M2's. Not looking back.

steve149 said:

For me, I have never "owned" the Bose, but I have auditioned them, and have heard them in use at events, so I feel qualified to comment on how "I" perceive them. As I said, they are a great system. For me, the EVOX works wonderfully, packs very small and light, and is less expensive than the current L1 options (either the 1S or the II). Better? No Just Different.

I prefer the look of the Bose and if the Model 2 was closer in price, I might have gone that route. I'm happy with the EVOX 8, as I don't get much need anymore for groups larger than say 150.

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I just spent three hours at a local GC store and had the opportunity to listen to a BOSE L1 Model2 and yes, it is a very nice sounding piece of equipment and technology. I listened to this system at all angles and a variety of sound levels and then Ab'd them to a number of other sound combinations, QSC, EV with 10" and 12" tops and a variety of sub units. I wish they had the EVOX system, but apparently they do not sell them. I had the salesman literally take the volume to extremely high levels and it does sound very good.
So ... I feel a little more qualified to say that when I bought my EVOX system, I bought it based on the best quality for what I could afford.
Again, yes... the BOSE tower system looks cool and BOSE exudes quality and name recognition, but for my money the $3000 spent for the EVOX was best for me and the kind of gigs I cater to which is medium sized weddings.
I will now say that $3000 vs. $6000 was a good value for me, as usual... everyone's mileage may vary.

MikeyGman said:

I just spent three hours at a local GC store and had the opportunity to listen to a BOSE L1 Model2 and yes, it is a very nice sounding piece of equipment and technology. I listened to this system at all angles and a variety of sound levels and then Ab'd them to a number of other sound combinations, QSC, EV with 10" and 12" tops and a variety of sub units. I wish they had the EVOX system, but apparently they do not sell them. I had the salesman literally take the volume to extremely high levels and it does sound very good.
So ... I feel a little more qualified to say that when I bought my EVOX system, I bought it based on the best quality for what I could afford.
Again, yes... the BOSE tower system looks cool and BOSE exudes quality and name recognition, but for my money the $3000 spent for the EVOX was best for me and the kind of gigs I cater to which is medium sized weddings.
I will now say that $3000 vs. $6000 was a good value for me, as usual... everyone's mileage may vary.

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They are not for everyone. If your equipment is doing what you need it to do and you are happy with it, that's all that matters.

MikeyGman said:

I just spent three hours at a local GC store and had the opportunity to listen to a BOSE L1 Model2 and yes, it is a very nice sounding piece of equipment and technology. I listened to this system at all angles and a variety of sound levels and then Ab'd them to a number of other sound combinations, QSC, EV with 10" and 12" tops and a variety of sub units. I wish they had the EVOX system, but apparently they do not sell them. I had the salesman literally take the volume to extremely high levels and it does sound very good.
So ... I feel a little more qualified to say that when I bought my EVOX system, I bought it based on the best quality for what I could afford.
Again, yes... the BOSE tower system looks cool and BOSE exudes quality and name recognition, but for my money the $3000 spent for the EVOX was best for me and the kind of gigs I cater to which is medium sized weddings.
I will now say that $3000 vs. $6000 was a good value for me, as usual... everyone's mileage may vary.

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Exactly how i feel right now. All of weddings are probably no more than 150 people. so debating 2 Evox 8's which is around $5k Canadian vs one L1 Model 2 with B2 base and T1 for about $3500

cyberphox said:

Exactly how i feel right now. All of weddings are probably no more than 150 people. so debating 2 Evox 8's which is around $5k Canadian vs one L1 Model 2 with B2 base and T1 for about $3500

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You don't have a backup with the Bose.

This is actually a very good point! I realize that a lot of people with Bose have and carry two systems. My time at GC last week and listening to them, one system is really very adequate for a 300 person wedding for sure. The Bose gets very loud and it remains very clear.
According to two people I spoke to, the Guitar Center sales rep and a person from Bose, two systems are not necessary and really a lot depends on hall, size of crowd... so on and so on, but... the guy I spoke to at Bose especially said that two systems is for sure overkill in most cases!
It seems a lot of DJ's are so used to having a system on each side of their DJ booth/table... it is just comfortable to have a Bose on each side as well.
In the event your one and only system does go down for whatever reason, there is no back up unless you are carrying another system of sorts in your vehicle.
Again, to each his own. If I was going to buy BOSE, it would be for ONE system, the L1 Model II with the B2 module and T1 tone match. It is truly an engineering marvel how well it sounds and the spread of sound you get from all angles. Seems that other than having a back up, one system is very adequate.

Having one speaker (of any brand, not just Bose) not only means no backup, but means you are forced to use mono, not stereo.

This is actually a very good point! I realize that a lot of people with Bose have and carry two systems. My time at GC last week and listening to them, one system is really very adequate for a 300 person wedding for sure. The Bose gets very loud and it remains very clear.
According to two people I spoke to, the Guitar Center sales rep and a person from Bose, two systems are not necessary and really a lot depends on hall, size of crowd... so on and so on, but... the guy I spoke to at Bose especially said that two systems is for sure overkill in most cases!
It seems a lot of DJ's are so used to having a system on each side of their DJ booth/table... it is just comfortable to have a Bose on each side as well.
In the event your one and only system does go down for whatever reason, there is no back up unless you are carrying another system of sorts in your vehicle.
Again, to each his own. If I was going to buy BOSE, it would be for ONE system, the L1 Model II with the B2 module and T1 tone match. It is truly an engineering marvel how well it sounds and the spread of sound you get from all angles. Seems that other than having a back up, one system is very adequate.

Handinon said:

Having one speaker (of any brand, not just Bose) not only means no backup, but means you are forced to use mono, not stereo.

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Additionally a very good point. But... I guess because I was in a very tight area listening to the BOSE system, I really did not notice that! With just the one tower and one B2 bass, the system sounded really good.

Mikey, what are you going to do when your ONE Bose system dies in the middle of your gig? It's a nice piece of gear, and yes it will cover a lot of people. However, you still do have all your eggs in one basket. If it dies, you just wrecked some poor girl's wedding. That ain't cool.

rickryan.com said:

Mikey, what are you going to do when your ONE Bose system dies in the middle of your gig? It's a nice piece of gear, and yes it will cover a lot of people. However, you still do have all your eggs in one basket. If it dies, you just wrecked some poor girl's wedding. That ain't cool.

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I think I would ALWAYS carry my two Yamaha DBR 12's in the back seat, just in case! I also have the EVOX 8 speakers and they are fabulous, but I must admit that I had been given some very serious thought about getting a BOSE L1, Model 2 system for those smaller gigs.
I have been a gear head since I started doing all of this thirty years ago and to me part of the fun is the new gear, need it or not!
This is not my full time job and I can afford to buy nice systems, within some reason.
I also have a pair of QSC K12's. Either way, I do have backup systems small enough to carry.

steve149 said:

If you can cost justify them .. the Bose L1 II are great speakers, no question. My audiences don't go above 150 or so, so the pair (or even a single) EVOX 8 is sufficient for me. The only place I'd like more firepower is outside, and there I really need more directional speakers to gain a lot of benefit.

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Yes, I agree on size of crowds.. mine tend to be more in the 150 to 200 max range most of the time. EVOX 8 is a really nice system! Again, if you are only using one for smaller crowds, you would again lose the stereo effect. Not sure how much the audience recognizes that?
How many BOSE guys here use two systems for all events? Curious? Why, because of back up or does it just sound better?
If I bought the system, it would be one system and I would use it for the events that it fit.
Again and according to the guy I spoke with at BOSE, he claims that because of the line array and the 180* coverage, the speakers need to be a minimum of about 25 foot for them to operate in conjunction properly. I am sure he was generalizing as each hall has it's own complications for proper set up. Obviously, one Bose system is not going to fit all jobs, but most.

MikeyGman said:

Again and according to the guy I spoke with at BOSE, he claims that because of the line array and the 180* coverage, the speakers need to be a minimum of about 25 foot for them to operate in conjunction properly. I am sure he was generalizing as each hall has it's own complications for proper set up.

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One of the problems that almost always comes up in a Bose thread is when people start to give them mystical/magical attributes. They operate according to the Laws of Physics, just like every other loudspeaker does. In the case of the L1 MKII, it has the radiation pattern of a line source, an excellent solution for many, but not all, setups. My personal criticism of the speaker is that in a real world DJ situation, if it is on the same floor as the dancers (i.e. not on a stage), and the floor is full of dancers, the speakers in the lower half of the column are too low.

In use on an elevated stage, set up behind a group of musicians (so it's as far from the audience as possible), it is truly excellent, plus it is less prone to microphone feedback.