Testing complete! I was pretty surprised by the results. Full details ahead.
To the point--I am selling the BOSE, but the DB is not really that much of an upgrade, and more of a sideways step (sound wise) with a lot less to set up and better flexibility, and in some situations, just not as good, especially in terms of overall tone. Go BOSE!
In summary, the DB tech had the upper mid-bass that the L1 did not, but that is only b/c I was running a B1, and not B2 to get that better upper mid-bass. With a B2, it's a different game BUT it takes up even MORE room, so ain't going to happen here, and that's that... The whole point is downsizing.
Anyhow, The F1 sub provided really good results from about 35-70 Hertz that outran the DB-Tech in the lower region by a long shot, and that is why almost immediately the BOSE sounded so much nicer to listen to. It was no contest for the first few songs. In just sound quality and tone, the BOSE was a lot nicer to listen to. The DB Tech almost sounded compressed when A/Bing back and forth.
With the DB Tech, I am giving up some deep bass (provided from F1) for a little more output everywhere above 60 Hertz, and when you are 75 feet away, the super low end doesn't carry anyhow, which is why at max volume, and standing as far as I would ever be in a reception, the DB Tech carried b/c overall output, b/c more mid-bass.
At low to medium levels, the BOSE absolutely wins, in every situation. The lack of less mid-bass is not noticed or missed up close, and the F1s do awesome at closer distances. The F1 subs, when paired with the L1 make a super sweet combo. The other person I was listening with smiled much more when jumping back to the BOSE bc the BOSE sounded so much fuller down below, sounding much more like 18" sub was running. It was good!
BUT, but the further your getaway, the less the F1s sub shined. They lose their super low-end that make them sound so good up close, and the OK upper mid-bass is not as strong as the DB-Tech. That's why I say, with a B2 +F1, the mid-bass would have been better on the BOSE, if not louder than the DB, and then, up close the F1 stomps on the DB Tech b/c of how much lower it goes. Bose L1 with B2 + F1 Sub=Killer system, but just too many pieces.
In summary, Bose (when running the F1) is better for intimate events, and the DB Tech is a more powerful system that will "throw" sound further.
For the hell of it, I ran the F1 sub with the DB Tech (just that combo) to see if I can fill in the low-end the DB-Tech is missing... Interestingly enough, the F1 sub had a hard time keeping up with the more pronounced mid-bass and mids/highs found on the DB Tech. I was not super impressed by the F1s compared to when matched with the L1 system. I suspect b/c the overall output pushed to its max (clipping output on DB Tech) is louder, the F1 sub just doesn't keep up as well.
At lower volumes, it's okay and more balanced, but once you walk 75 feet away, the F1s low-end falls off. I am going to assume this is b/c of the small size (10" woofers) that are not going to compare to what an 18" sub would do at far distances. The DB Tech needs an 18" under it to hang with it. I am sure a pair of F1s would do, but 18" is still probably the smarter choice.
I am a little sad that I will be letting the BOSE go. It just sounds better and has a more true low end (60 and below). I will have to get used to NOT having that low-end in trade for more output. I hope I don't regret my decision.
Also, after hearing the EV Evolve 50, it doesn't even compare to either, unless portability is the only factor.
This was a really good test showing that SPL numbers don't mean much in the real world. 132db vs 121db (L1) but 131 from F1 though, so hard to know where the L1 + F1 stands regadrding true max SPL.