Line array systems are not just about aesthetics – there’s science behind their innovative design and it’s centered around efficient sound dispersion. The problem with conventional side of stage speaker arrangements is that there’s a sweet spot in terms of sound coverage. This may be useful if you’re playing on a raised stage and want to reduce overall height to ensure optimum sound dispersal via the array or if you’re using it indoors as a Bluetooth sound system for example. Mic’ provides a generic preset for a handheld dynamic microphone. ‘Inst’ offers a preset for a piezo acoustic electric guitar. There’s more

Bose really pushes the portability/performance factor of the L1 Pro8 and with good reason. Technically you could carry this with one arm/hand and leave the other free for instruments etc. Moving down the panel, next up are mute buttons for all three channels. Pretty self-explanatory. Then, on channels 1&2 only, we have ToneMatch, which essentially is where you select the input source. Connectivity

ToneMatch is basically a library of preset EQ settings provided by Bose to suit just about any environment and enhance any instrument/microphone you’re using. It’s actually really cool and one of the standout features on all Bose L1 systems. This neat little app has two basic uses and it connects to your L1 Pro 8 via Bluetooth. Simply press and hold the Bluetooth button on the L1 Pro 8 until it starts flashing, then connect it to your device. Moving swiftly along, we now come to the ToneMatch port which enables connection to a Bose ToneMatch mixer (T4S or T8S) via a ToneMatch cable. These mixers certainly do extend the basic functionality of the system, but they’re not cheap and to be honest, most people probably won’t need them. Assembled, the overall height of the L1 Pro 8 is 78.7” (2m) but the array extension spacer section is totally removable.

Portability, sound quality and power basically. Line array systems break away from convention in that you don’t have speakers (usually two) placed on each side of the stage. And there you go. Tap on Shure SM58 and you’ll access Bose’s optimal EQ settings for a Shure SM58 dynamic microphone. Just make sure when you plug a mic in, that you select ‘mic’ for the ToneMatch option and ‘inst’ for a guitar or similar. You can turn this functionality off. Bluetooth On channel 3 in the same row, we have a Bluetooth pairing button. This is really neat because here you’ll pair your device with the Bose system which you can use for remote control via the L1 Mix app. Or, you can pipe music from your phone through the P1 Pro 8. Or you may have beats on your phone which you can play along to through the PA. A multitude of uses!Inputs 1&2 feature combo XLR/1/4” connections to accept instruments and microphones. Just plug in, select ‘mic’ or ‘inst’ and you’re away. Bear in mind that essentially these are EQ presets only. In terms of what you’re plugging into the inputs, the L1 Pro 8 knows the difference between instruments and microphones and adjusts levels automatically. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are two ways of accessing Bose’s full ToneMatch library. They provide extra channels for more inputs, effects and full access to the ToneMatch library to provide EQ settings for the microphone or instrument you’re using. You could even use a ToneMatch mixer with two L1 Pro systems for a stereo output (remember the Bose L1 Pro8 is a monophonic system).

As we’ve mentioned the Bose L1 Pro8 is the ‘baby’ in a family of three. It is the least powerful but that also makes it a marvellously portable pa. In terms of features, all three models are practically identical. Mega portable: just 78.9 x 12.5 x 17.3” (200.5 x 31.8 x 44cm) HxWxD and weighing in at a paltry 38.2lbs (17.3kg)

The first is via optional Bose T4S and T8S mixers. These are designed to connect to any Bose L1 Pro mixer via the dedicated ToneMatch port located on the mixer panel. A single cable also powers these external mixers. In many situations, unless you absolutely have to have a mic’d up guitar amp sound, or use an amp modeller (yes you can connect a modeller to the L1 Pro 8) these sound quite acceptable even the high gain variants. It works on a multitude of microphones, acoustic and electric guitars, basses and keyboards. You simply choose the closest approximation to your own instrument/mic and that dials up the appropriate EQ profile. Instead, line arrays are vertically oriented; you have just one single ‘tower’ comprising a woofer at the base and mid-range/high frequency speakers at the top of the array. When you’re gigging on your own, transporting gear around really is a big deal and this is where the L1 Pro 8 comes into its own. Plus you get legendary Bose sound quality with a really impressive low end. It’s a done deal as far as we’re concerned.

Simply make your choice – and those settings are remotely sent, via the app, to the L1 Pro 8 in real-time. Now not every product from every brand is available here but you should be able to get pretty close. We were impressed by the simplicity of the app and how useful it is.The jewel in the crown here however is that the mixer is accessible and controllable remotely via an app. We’ll get onto that later as part of this comprehensive Bose L1 Pro 8 review.