Audiopile: Cables for the L1® Family of Products / Review
 This article is an editorial and expresses the opinion and experience of ST the author. Please post comments in the discussion page.
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See also: Cables for the L1® Family of Products / Review Audiopile.net is a familiar name in the L1® Community. They are noted in the Bose FAQs as source for longer cables for the B1 Bass Modules. You can read about how Mark Hellinger there worked with Hilmar-at-Bose and Bill-at-Bose to diagnose an issue with long cable runs with the B1s. Sound Drop Outs at High Volume In five years of linking to their website, I had never heard anything but positive comments from people who had followed the link until someone mentioned that he wasn't getting a response to emails. I was curious about this and I called Audiopile to see what was happening. They got that straightened out that same day. Since I was talking to them anyway I got to know Mark and Liz Hellinger a little better and shortly after that they put together a page on their website specifically for Bose L1® owners. This just makes it easy to find everything that they've got that we might need all in one place. Here is the link: c Here is how the selection on that products fits. |
The Needs / Solutions
T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine
Short Microphone Cables
When I got my T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine I immediately found that all my microphone cables were too long. I mount my T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine on the microphone stand using the T1 Microphone Stand Bracket so the longest microphone cable I would need in that application was two to three feet. I ended up spending hours cutting cables and soldering. No fun.
Short Instrument Cables
I also needed shorter cables to run from the T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine down to the floor to connect to various processors and a PorchBoard. Six feet seemed ideal. I cut up a couple of cables I had lying around and I was all set.
Compact
When I got my L1 Compact I was really torn. I liked how portable and simple it was, but I also struggled with how noisy it was to make connections to my instruments and microphones. It just seemed like a lot of running back and forth to the Compact Power Stand to turn down the volume to attach instruments, switch microphones or just move around without accidentally aiming the microphone at the Compact Speaker Array (with attendant feedback). I decided to use my T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine most of the time if only to have the control over when the instrument and microphone would be live.
For connecting a T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine to a Compact, I have used unbalanced instrument cables simply because that is what I had lying around. I have wanted to get some balanced ¼ inch jack tip-ring-sleeve connector cables for longer runs and for daisy-chaining Compacts.
Packlite
I have always wished that the cable that comes with the PackLite was five feet long so that I could put the PackLite on top of a stack of four B1s.
B1
Occasionally I need to get creative with the placement for my B1s. This means longer cables and occasionally pushing the B1s up against a wall.
The Answers
Short Cables
Short microphone and instrument cables are standard fair at Audiopile. So that part was easy.
Compact
For the L1 Compact they have instrument cables with silent switches built into the connectors. There is no connection until the jack plug is fully inserted into your instrument. The silver coloured sleeve near the barrel of the connector is the part that activates the switch inside.
They also have microphone cables with switches at the microphone end.
Put an instrument cable and a microphone cable (both with switches at the performer's end of things) and you can plug in to the Compact silently, turn up th volumes and make no sound until you want to.
I've test all of these and they are working as expected.
B1
Here are some photos of the back end of a B1 with the right angle NL4FRX connections available from Audiopile. They made a custom cable for me with two right angle connectors, seven feet long. This seemed an ideal length given the recommendation from Chris-at-Bose to put the B1 right against a wall or at least seven feet out. See B1 Bass Module Positioning
Right angle connector on top, standard B1 below.
Right angle connector only - pressed up against a hard surface
Here is the difference it makes in terms of clearance from the wall.
The Review
When Audiopile put up that page for Bose L1® owners I was really pleased that they were willing to cater to our specific needs. All the options are set with default options that make sense for an L1® owner. They have included descriptions of how you would use each of the items on that page.
I ordered everything on that page. I needed those all of those cables and I wanted to see how they would work out. I got multiples of several items because I do Festival Sound and often have multiple L1®s and T1®s on stage. Unfortunately they don't have the etherCON accessories (for extending the T1® Power Supply) but I'll get those soon.
Everything arrived promptly and well packed promptly after I ordered it. There were some delays because I am not in the US, but that is completely undertandable.
All the cable connectors are Neutrik and my experience with these have been good in the past. All of the cables that I make for myself have these connectors.
The physical cable for the microphones and instruments is flexible and lightweight. I have some 15 year old Monster cables that still fine, but I rarely use them for live applications anymore. They are very thick and heavy. Over time I have come to prefer lighter, thinner cables that travel better. The cable that Audiopile is using is of that lighter, thinner type. Other than that, I'll have to report on the durability issue in a few years. For now the cables from Audiopile look (and sound) good to me.
I am very pleased with the cables that have integrated switches (both ¼ inch jack cables) and the microphone cables. In my initial testing, these are completely silent as they connect and disconnect. That's exactly what I need when working at a distance from the Compact Power Stand. I have already bundled together two 15 foot cables (instrument and microphone). Now I have a quick and easy setup for when I don't need to bring my T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine.
I got several of the silent connect instrument cables specifically for when I do live sound for others. This means that I won't have to look at both ends of the cable when making connections. I'm referring to running back to the T1® to make sure that channels are muted before making connections. I also got several of the switched microphone cables for those situations where I have microphones that are at distance from the T1®. Again, this is primarily for my live sound (for others) situations.
Overall, I excited to have all of these solutions in one place. I will be culling out my older, heavier cables and over time I will get the new cables strapped up to my microphone stands. I do that now, but some of those are too long, too old, or just plain ugly. When I get that done I'll probably add some pictures. But for right now, things sound good, look good, and I'm looking forward to the next gig.