Please don't turn this into another Bose love hate thing.

Ok have the system for ten months and use it for 90% of the gigs I do.

I have noted a few things. One of them is that the system is not set and forget. each venue needs setting up and I have now taken to recording the settings by each venue name. It's not much difference and when set you just use the mixer output to control the volume.

The other was brought up on the Bose forum but me being me I never take things at face value. MP3 bit rate

Forget 128!! to me it sounds distorted and very 'boomy' behind the system and it gets very fatiguing. It sounds ok (well untill you hear a higher bit rate) out in front. 192 is much better with 320 being almost as good as CD Infact when using CD and 'ABing' 320 and CD you have to listen very hard but there is a difference.

How are your experiences stacking up?

Still on the fence about buying additional B1's and packlites so I have decided to conduct my own test's by buying a packlite amp and using a single L1 with 4 B1's and L1 + 2B1 + a standard sub. I want to use the Packlite amp as it would maintain the auto eq to some extent when using a non Bose sub.

Any thoughts on this?

Would any of you be interested in getting toegther and trying different subs via the Packlite? I am prepared to travel.

Jim

Hi Jim. Since getting the Bose I have almost stopped using the laptop...the sound really is that bad. I know Gary will only consider WAV and I am beginning to think along the same lines but not only for the sound quality - high rate MP3's push the processor hard causing it to get hot, which could cause problems.

In less than two weeks I'll be living in Bournemouth - I have two Bose systems...you are welcome to use my gear for any testing.

I agree with you Ben there are laptops that overheat. I use an HP Pavillion DV6000 without ANY problems 64 Bit 3 Gig Athlon and 1 Gig Ram. I have Gigged this without a break for 14 Hrs. I run Sam Dj and Show Hoster for the Karaoke/Disco and OTS for the straight disco.

I have, infact, used all three at the same time with no issues just clicking on them as I needed them.

Having stated that, I am going back to Cd's for the more creative side of things. My son and I are building a new studio (we got thrown out of the summer house last autumn as it was needed for an office) so we will have a permanent set up for lighting and audio by spring. I miss being able to drop in and try stuff out.

Thanks for the offer. I will get a packlite on order unless anyone can tell me who has one in stock.

Jim

I think to use anything below 320k mp3 is madness when you've spent alot of money on a decent sounding system. I didn't use notice any difference between 192 and 320 with my old PA, but certainley can since upgrading (not to a BOSE by the way..).

Certainly the difference between lower and higher bit rate files on Eskies/Brians system was very noticable. With high quality files the system was stunning, but 128 & 192Kbs files lacked deep bass and the music melted into a general sound, rather than sounding like individual instruments.

As I have said many times before, with the now low price of 250GB+ hard discs, I can see no reason to use less than 320Kbs, and ideally WAV or FLAC.

Agreed Jim. With my old JBL Eon system I never really noticed a bad sound on files that were 128 or 160 but it is VERY noticeable with this system and consequently over the last few months i've been going back through my collection and re-ripping everything at 320. I've probably done about half of the most often used tracks and hope to get a lot more done in the next month or so.

Agree, I've started ripping at 320 now because there are very noticeable (to me) differences in the quality at 192 & below.

Good to her this, guys.
I don't consider there is a place for 128 bitrate in professional music sytems.

Let's hope the music download sites get the same idea, then I'll consider using them.

As for poor sound via a laptop, don't forget the soundcard - some of these are truly awful.

Yep, I've started ripping all my back catalogue now into 320k now, I thought it was only me noticing lots more bass just around the dj deck area but after listening to quite a few different tracks and comparing them to 192 and 320, 320 gives it a lot more rounded bass, higher tops and good clarity out there in the crowd. I even have to lower my trim now on the bose which is a good thing.

HDD's are becoming cheaper now so that shouldn't be an issue now. If you are interested, Maplins are doing 400gb as their deal of the week

If I were ever to use a laptop for discos (never going to happen) then it would have to be WAV, or maybe 320kbps mp3.

Nothing less.