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

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I did that exactly one time (with a pair of L1 Compacts) and hated the sound quality. When you get paid handsomely to rock even a small party, the L1 Compact won't cut it, especially on the low end.

This is another example of using the right gear for the job. If a compact did not work for a small gig, don't use it.

My system consists of 2 - LI, Model 2's and 1 L1, Model 1s. I haven't had an event yet where a combination of these speakers were not perfect.

Use what works for you but dang... going back to Bose was the best decision I have made in a long time.
 
Yeah, the FBT Vertus series has been on my radar as well since it's release.
The advantage it appears to have over the evox is it's vertical scalability and adjustable tilt on the HF element (Vertus CS1000).
I have not heard either system so I can't comment on sound quality.
 
This is another example of using the right gear for the job. If a compact did not work for a small gig, don't use it.

Not only was it a small gig, it was an 80th birthday party. To me, the Compacts just don't have the Bose magic.

I sold one of the Compacts the very next week. I still have one, but never use it.
 
The FBT does that also
For some reason, grill out .. the RCF is grill in. It looks like a nice unit .. FBT make awesome gear. A bit heavier than I'd like (close to 70#). It would be interesting to hear the diffeence as they use larger drivers than the EVOX 8 (closer to those in the EVOX 12, just less of them).
 
Gentlemen and those with BOSE experience, maybe you can tell me something about the T1 Tonematch. I currently do about 95% of my playback by way of my laptop and Virtual Dj programming and pretty happy with it. I also carry about 50 home made CD's with me and a cd player and run it all thru a Yamaha mixer.
I carry the CD's and player in the event of any failures, so far so good... but I do like to plan ahead. I also carry a backup laptop and the cd's come in handy to make a quick music change if needed while I may have to install the other laptop. I also like the Cd's for some other uses, so the player does come in hand for me.
This being said, it seems to me that the Tonematch is somewhat limited from a standpoint of lines you can run thru it? Or am I missing something?
I am looking to buy one Bose L1 Model II unit with the B2 and Tonematch, but maybe you experts can tell me how do you connect a cd player and or ipod to this unit? I looked at the Tonematch from the Bose website, maybe I am missing something? It appears from the line connects on the back of the Tonematch, you can run your laptop thru the USB, then you have your microphone, then an aux unit like cd player or whatever. If you use two of the lines into the mixer, do I assume you have to run two volume controls to control the level of sound coming out of the aux units?
If I am going to buy Bose, I would want the Tonematch from all I have read on the system, but it seems I may lose some flexibility in my playback options? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but I just want to know what I may be getting into before I buy the unit.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
The T1 Tone Match Engine is a high-end digital mini-mixing board and great USB sound card. If you already have a sweet mixer and a quality sound card, then the T1 becomes an optional component.

If you decide to run two systems and in stereo, that T1 (to me) becomes a liability.

If you decide to run three mics and three inputs, the T1 can't handle it.

I've been using the Bose L1 systems (and now also the F1 systems) since they were originally released. I own a T1 but do not use it for anything other than firmware updates and there hasn't been any of those in years. My Pioneer DJM-5000 mixer and GigaPortHD along with Virtual DJ 8 is an awesome multiple inputs, outputs, and controls that the T1 cannot match.

If I were a live musician, I would not be caught dead without the T1 because of all its voice and electronic equipment effects.
 
I run my computer to USB, 2 mics, and iPad at a hot back up into my T1.

One nice thing is I can have different"scenes" on my T1. Typical set up has channel 1 and 2 for mics, channel 3 for my iPad and 4/5 for my computer. So I can have each channel already programmed for each thing.

If I am using it for a ceremony, I can change scenes, and 3 channels are set for its actual mic, and music playback eq is set differently than I have for reception back. Very little tweekinh is needed
 
The T1 Tone Match Engine is a high-end digital mini-mixing board and great USB sound card. If you already have a sweet mixer and a quality sound card, then the T1 becomes an optional component.

If you decide to run two systems and in stereo, that T1 (to me) becomes a liability.

If you decide to run three mics and three inputs, the T1 can't handle it.

I've been using the Bose L1 systems (and now also the F1 systems) since they were originally released. I own a T1 but do not use it for anything other than firmware updates and there hasn't been any of those in years. My Pioneer DJM-5000 mixer and GigaPortHD along with Virtual DJ 8 is an awesome multiple inputs, outputs, and controls that the T1 cannot match.

If I were a live musician, I would not be caught dead without the T1 because of all its voice and electronic equipment effects.

Thank you Cap! Very much appreciate and value your experience with this equipment. All I seem to read on this all over the internet is that the BOSE systems are good, but really do 'shine' when used with the Tonematch. I like the small footprint of the T1, but not crazy about the limitations it has for me. I think as you mentioned it is probably a mainstay requirement for musicians and vocalists, but no so necessary for a DJ.
I am currently running a Yamaha MG10XU and it is a decent mixer with an adequate sound card, but again it is not the T1 that so many claim makes the BOSE sound so good! For my requirements, I would need something with more inputs than the T1 offers.
Thanks again Cap!
 
I looked at the specs of your board. It's a +24dbu unit which is plenty of signal (for the Bose F1 series too). I don't know what sound card you're using which is the only X factor in a very very nice signal chain.
 
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I looked at the specs of your board. It's a +24dbu unit which is plenty of signal (for the Bose F1 series too). I don't know what sound card you're using which is the only X factor in a very very nice signal chain.

Thank you Cap! The sound card that is in the Yamaha mixer, I am not sure of the specs, but it does offer very good sound quality. I just was not sure how compatible it may be with the BOSE L1, Mod2 units. Again, it seems that with all of the reviews I have read, the T1 seems to be a staple in the whole sound chain for the BOSE system. I really like the form and function of the T1, but only wish it had more inputs that I could work with.
 
Again, it seems that with all of the reviews I have read, the T1 seems to be a staple in the whole sound chain for the BOSE system. I really like the form and function of the T1, but only wish it had more inputs that I could work with.
Well MikeyGman, you have your information as requested and no one is going to talk you into or out of the T1. The T1 isn't going to change, so it's a game day decision for you.

I have a 15% off sale on till March 31st so I'd be happy to sell you one, or, I'd be equally happy not to. Your call.
 
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If you decide to run two systems and in stereo, that T1 (to me) becomes a liability.
If you decide to run three mics and three inputs, the T1 can't handle it.
I've been using the Bose L1 systems (and now also the F1 systems) since they were originally released. I own a T1 but do not use it for anything other than firmware updates and there hasn't been any of those in years. My Pioneer DJM-5000 mixer and GigaPortHD along with Virtual DJ 8 is an awesome multiple inputs, outputs, and controls that the T1 cannot match.

I'm not exactly what you would call a Bose fan, but the above quotes are an example of exactly why Cap Capello is held in such high regard on the forums - he has experience with the product and he tells it like it is. I doubt anyone at the Bose Store would ever be that honest. If I was buying Bose tomorrow, I know right where to go. Kudos to you, sir.

MikeyGman, take his advice and run with the front end you currently have - you can always add the T1 later.
 
I'm not exactly what you would call a Bose fan, but the above quotes are an example of exactly why Cap Capello is held in such high regard on the forums - he has experience with the product and he tells it like it is. I doubt anyone at the Bose Store would ever be that honest. If I was buying Bose tomorrow, I know right where to go. Kudos to you, sir.

MikeyGman, take his advice and run with the front end you currently have - you can always add the T1 later.

I have heard nothing but great things about Cap and he is indeed the BOSE guru. If I do buy, it will be thru Cap. Beyond Cap's knowledge, there are other $ advantages to buying out of state, etc.
The 15% is a real bonus to begin with. I just need some extra cash and some 0% interest for about 24 months and I am golden!
 
Thanks for the acknowledgements. I always earn and appreciate business. The 24 months financing is not something I can cover.

Anyone attending the ARMS DJ Conclave in Johnsonville, TN will have an opportunity to A - B the L1 Model 2/B2 and the F1-812/F1 Sub. I'll be there Sunday to Wednesday. (Conference is June 19-20)
 
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Old thread but still shows up on RCF searches... so here goes.

I have been a QSC man for many years. I used to run a pair of QSC amps with a pair of JBL JRX125s (dual 15s for you younger guys) back in the passive days. Once most of the bugs were worked out of powered speakers I sold my old rig and went with QSC. My most recent system was a pair of K12.2s, a pair of K8.2s, and a pair of KS112 subs. I used the K12.2s for small-medium gigs and the 8.2s and subs for larger gigs. The sound was wonderful at all my gigs.

Recently we have been booking a lot of road trip travel weddings. We just did a 5,000 mile, 6 wedding and a COL trip, and were on the road for a month. The problem that presented itself was that some of the gigs were small-medium, and 2 of them were larger gigs. There is no way I could take 2 subs and 2 bagged 8.2s along with all the other stuff we needed to pack, so I made do with the pair of 12.2s. While we were on the road I did a lot of research and thought maybe the new JBL PRX Ones might solve my situation. I made lots of calls around each area we were in looking for a place to demo them. With no luck I continued to research and thought maybe the RCF Evox J8 might be 2nd best. I made 5 calls to the RCF U.S. office in Edison NJ and was impressed by the helpfulness and knowledge of Kyle there.

As luck would have it, while were in the Chicago area I found a store that had the PRX One, RCF J8, RCF Evox 8, and Evox 12, 3 Bose systems, 2 LD systems, and the Evolve 30 & 50. They also had a demo of my K12.2s, so I was able do a true head to head. I use Usher's "Yeah" for my sound checks so I used it for the following tests too. The 1st test was the K12.2 vs the RCF. That test lasted only a few seconds because it was immediately obvious that the RCF was destroying the K12.2. Next I did the RCF J8 vs the PRX One. They were pretty much head to head as far as sound quality right up until we got to full volume. The JBL was a tiny bit louder, but the RCF was amazingly crystal clear, while the JBL was sounding just a touch muddy. I never play that loud at a wedding anyway, but the JBL did not sound $600 better, and since I was going to buy a pair it certainly wasn't $1200 better. So eliminating the JBL, the RCF became my main test subject. Next up was the J8 vs the Evox 8. They have exactly the same speakers and amps in them but the Evox 8 has a wood sub cabinet. Surprisingly the engineering on the J8 gave it a better low end sound in spite being a plastic box. Against the Evox 12 the SPL is 2 dB higher, the bass a minimal amount stronger, but again not $3400 a pair better, plus 30 pounds heavier each. The head to head against all of the other systems reinforced my research and I ended up getting a pair of the RCF J8s. A few things I considered n my research on, and tests of the array systems:
-weight- The RCF system weighs just a few pounds more than my K12.2s and a lot less than a KS112 sub and a K8.2. Some of the systems were lighter, but they also felt like they were fragile compared to the RCF J8.
-portability- The RCF top stores inside the sub on the RCFs and it has the same exact footprint as a k12.2, except about 4" deeper
-ease of setup- I keep the pole assembled, I have the Speakon cables permanently attached to the poles and stored in a good padded tripod bag. Setup is 2 minutes each speaker. I was also concerned with the plastic in plastic column setups that the connections would eventually fail, or the bottoms of the pieces would crack or chip.
-SPL-The RCF J8 has an SPL of 128, which is much higher than most of the competing array systems. There were some huge differences at max volume.
-mixer- I already have some great mixers, so I didn't need that feature that some of the units had
-clarity at loud volume- This is where most of the competition melted away.
-price- I'm blessed with a very successful business, so price was not as important as all of the above. That being said I am a level headed buyer and don't throw away a few extra thousand dollars if I can't justify the benefit of doing so.

When I got home from my road trip I burned in my J8s for 24 for hours, then set up a KS112 with a K8.2 for the test. They were neck and neck right up until we hit max volume. The QSCs were really struggling to stay clear while the RCFs sounded just as clear as they did a lower volumes. The QSCs are now all sold. I actually brought in $1400 more than it cost me to replace them (happy dance). Tomorrow I do my 1st wedding with the new system and Tuesday we leave for the next 4,000 mile road trip.

Great sound is an opinion. This is just the opinion of a wedding DJ that has done somewhere between 2500 and 3,000 weddings. Special thanks to Steve (R.I.P.) for his YouTube video that created my interest in the RCF J8s!
 
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Steve and I had many conversations regarding the Evox 8 and Evox 12 systems. His side-by-side comparison of the RCF Evox 8 and another speaker. As it turned out, on my way home from Maine passing through New Jersey, I stopped at the Edison RCF warehouse. There I was able to compare a side-by-side of the Evox 8 and 12. Since that comparison, I could have used the Evox 12's many times . Before leaving the warehouse, I ordered the Evox 8's for drop shipment to NC. Even now I could use a 3rd Evox 8. Unfortunately, the Evox 12's were much heavier and took up more storage space inside the house. Who knows I may look to swap out a pair of 8's for 12's. Wish. I'm not getting any younger.
 
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