Bose S1 Pro Alternative

martingitdave · #1 08-03-2018, 05:13 PM

I have the Bose S1 Pro and I like everything about it except the lack of mid frequency control. Since the goal of this speaker is to have a portable plug and play solution, carrying a separate preamp, or para DI, seems counter productive.

I’ve tried the Mackie FreePlay and it’s a decent choice. What else would you folks recommend that’s small and portable and good for vocals and guitar with a decent EQ section. Looking to keep the weight to 15 or so lbs.

Cheers!

open-road-matt · #2 08-03-2018, 05:30 PM

I just bought an S1 to use as a floor monitor with my L1 Model 2 and my L1 Compact. So far so good in that application! Eventually I suppose I’ll try it as a stand alone system.

I think Bose got it right with the S1 in so many ways. I love the size and portability and the fact they addressed the most common placement positions: floor wedge, table top and speaker stand!

The first missing feature I noticed was the lack of a master volume. I have a mid EQ knob on my guitar so I can live without that but it would be a nice addition. Another S1 user mentioned the lack of phantom power.

I was on the hunt for something like this a while back. I wanted 2 channels with high, mid and low eq on both channels, phantom power on at least one channel, a master volume, a balanced line out and the ability to be placed in the 3 positions I mentioned above without the need for an amp stand in the floor wedge position.

The only thing I could find that met all of those criteria was the TC Helicon VoiceSolo FX150 but I think it’s too small to be of much use as a stand alone system.

Everything else I looked at was always missing one of the key (to me) features.

It’s a conspiracy!

I think the S1 is as good as it gets for me in this category.

Matt

martingitdave · #3 08-03-2018, 06:26 PM

Yes, when I mentioned my query to AeroUSA who uses his S1 Pro for gigs regularly, he told me I was being an idiot and to keep it. LOL. So, I guess I need a different EQ pedal or something.

dcopper · #4 08-03-2018, 06:46 PM

As an alternative you can buy a power bank like the GrantMaya 300 watt that has a built in AC converter and lithium batteries (Amazon) and simply power a small acoustic amp. It works great with my AER 60/3.

Cuki79 · #5 08-04-2018, 01:32 AM

Maybe Elite acoustics 1-4

RockerDuck · #6 08-04-2018, 07:05 AM

I use a battery operated Behringer 1002b mixer. It improves vocals, guitar, and eq's the mix with my S1 Pro; and has phantom power.

Cuki79 · #7 08-04-2018, 08:23 AM

Hi Dave

The goal of the Bose S1 pro and Freeplay is to be "plug'n play".

It is exactly the opposite to "plug, tweak a parametric EQ for your boutique pickup and play"

If you are ready to add gear teh Qstrip is an option (works on 9V)

Cuki

BoneDigger · #8 08-04-2018, 09:45 AM

I have one of these and I'm very happy with it. It's about the size of a typical guitar pedal and works perfectly.

https://www.lrbaggs.com/align-series...coustic-pedal/

martingitdave · #9 08-04-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuki79

Hi Dave

The goal of the Bose S1 pro and Freeplay is to be "plug'n play".

It is exactly the opposite to "plug, tweak a parametric EQ for your boutique pickup and play"

If you are ready to add gear teh Qstrip is an option (works on 9V)

Cuki

Hey Cuki,

I actually bought one of those. I need to get it out of the box from the basement.

And, your description was perfect. LOL

Tico · #10 08-04-2018, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martingitdave

I have the Bose S1 Pro and I like everything about it except the lack of mid frequency control. ...

The S1 does have a mid control.
It's not an actual knob; it's how you use 3 of the knobs it does have.

Turn bass and treble down.
Then turn the volume up.
Tweak knobs to your preference.

Davis Webb · #11 08-04-2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tico

The S1 does have a mid control.
It's not an actual knob; it's how you use 3 of the knobs it does have.

Turn bass and treble down.
Then turn the volume up.
Tweak knobs to your preference.

Honestly, he is right. I had a sound engineer tweak mine today as I was gigging and that is exactly what he did.

martingitdave · #12 08-04-2018, 08:10 PM

Thanks guys, but I’m looking for a sweepable mid to apply a cut. It appears only the Elite Acoustics offers that option on a battery unit. Boosting bass and treble didn’t do it for me, unfortunately. It causes feedback with the Lyric. I will stick with my Bose and use the Q-Strip.

BoneDigger · #13 08-04-2018, 09:03 PM

The Baggs I posted uses a battery.

Marty C · #14 08-05-2018, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Thanks guys, but I’m looking for a sweepable mid to apply a cut. It appears only the Elite Acoustics offers that option on a battery unit. Boosting bass and treble didn’t do it for me, unfortunately. It causes feedback with the Lyric. I will stick with my Bose and use the Q-Strip.

Hi Dave,
I love my S1 Pro, but I am in the same camp of needing a mid eq cut. Not only for guitar, but also for the vocal. I also tried to work with the eq by boosting the bass/treble and turning down the volume. Either I am doing something wrong or it just doesn’t seem to work for me.

I don’t mind adding a component or two, I just want to stick with battery power. I tried a small Mackie mixer, which was the only one I could find that needed a 12v supply. Therefore, I could use my small battery pack with a usb converter. It actually worked well since it had a small equalizer built in. Jury is still out and it needs more work.

However, in the end, I still use my Play Acoustic together with a Baggs Para DI mounted on a compact pedalboard with my small battery pack. I worked with different mics to find a small mid cut for the vocals.

I also found the upright tilt back position doesn’t boost the bass as much; therefore, I use this and place it on a chair/stool/table if I need to elevate the S1. I wish there was a way to say, “stay in this eq mode” however I place it.

A little graphic eq and master volume on that Bose Connect app would be way cool. This would be more plug and play... for my needs.

varmonter · #15 08-05-2018, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuki79

Maybe Elite acoustics 1-4

I second EAE stuff. although it exceeds your
15 lb weight limit I think the sturdiness and
extra weight add to the incredible sound
these speakers produce. I used mine as a standalone
pa in a small restaurant last friday and it worked
great. I've tried a bunch over the years.
I love my aer c60 but it does not reproduce
vocals well. My sunburst (EAE) gear m6br8.
Does vocal and guitar very well.