FRAMINGHAM, MA—Bose Professional recently hosted a group of guests for a tour of its Framingham, MA HQ and a demonstration of its new F1 portable PA (PPA). A live performance by Will Dailey and band followed, held at the Showcase Live, Patriot Place in Foxborough—a venue normally covered by a large touring-grade line array and large-format digital touring console at FOH, but utilizing the Bose F1 for Dailey’s concert . The audience agreed that the F1 covered the large venue amazingly well while sounding notably full and natural. Also demonstrated onsite by a live DJ, the guests were able to witness how well and simply the system’s four vertical coverage patterns work; I was switching the push/pull patterns on the Model 812 cabinet myself as the DJ performed.
PSN reviews editor Strother Bullins gives artist Will Dailey and band’s demonstration of the F1 PPA at Showcase Live, Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA a definite thumbs up. Designed to serve a broader set of applications than Bose’s L1 portable PA (PPA) systems, the F1 Model 812 is reportedly the first powered portable loudspeaker that allows users up to four different vertical coverage patterns. The F1 system is targeted for live music, DJ, corporate AV, house-of-worship, AV rental and general PA applications.
With the F1 system, sound can be optimized for playing at floor level, on stage or facing raked seats or bleachers. To control the vertical coverage pattern, users simply push or pull the array into position to create “Straight” (tightest vertical control, for floor-level audience coverage), “J” (adjust vertical splay down, when PA is placed on stage), “C” (adjust vertical splay up and down, to cover extreme raked seating), or “Reverse J” (adjust vertical splay up, e.g. for bleacher seating coverage) dispersion patterns. Once set, the system automatically adjusts the EQ to maintain tonal balance for each coverage pattern.
The F1 Model 812 loudspeaker is built with an array of eight Bose proprietary 2.25-inch drivers, 100-degree horizontal waveguides and a high-powered 12-inch woofer. Dimensions are 26.1 by 13.1 by 14.6 inches, while total weight is 44.5 lbs.
For extended bass response, the optional Bose F1 Subwoofer (27 by 16.14 by 17.6 inches; 55.3 lbs) creates a 2,000 W per side full-range system; F1 array components are rated at 1,000 W each. A proprietary Bose mounting stand for the loudspeaker is integrated right into the body of the subwoofer. The stand also includes cable channels to neatly hide the wires. Additionally, the loudspeaker and subwoofer feature strategically placed handles for stress-free transportation; the system easily fits in a car, according to Bose. In addition, the F1 Model 812 has been designed with features to facilitate fixed installations through threaded inserts and accessory pan-and-tilt and yoke brackets.
Stay tuned to Pro Sound News for a comprehensive review of the full F1 portable PA system; the F1 Model 812 and F1 Subwoofer will be available in late Summer 2015.
Bose Professional
www.bose.com/F1
