L1 Pro Do You Need All Three
Does anyone need all three models?
I have all three L1 Pro models, but most of the time I would be well served with the L1 Pro32. The L1 Pro32 sounds great at low, medium, and high volume, so there's never a sense that it is more than a venue requires. You can always turn it down. The L1 Pro32 with Sub1 is less than 12 inches (30.5 cm) wider than the other models, so the size difference is insignificant on all but the smallest stages.
So why might someone need all three?
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L1 Pro32
The L1 Pro32 with Sub1 - If I could have only one system, this would be it. With a few exceptions (noted below), it will meet my needs, giving me the greatest coverage and projection. And compared to the others, it gives me the best performance without feedback. That is, if I run all three at the same stage volume, I can project farther without feedback with the L1 Pro32.
The L1 Pro32 with Sub1 is only 10 inches (22.8 cm) wider than the L1 Pro16 and 11.5 inches (29.2 cm) wider than the L1 Pro8. There are very few situations where that difference would matter on a live stage.
The L1 Pro32 with Sub1 weighs only 9.3 pounds (4.2 kg) more than the L1 Pro16, and easier to carry because the biggest piece is smaller and lighter (Sub1 vs L1 Pro16 power stand).
Look at the picture below, and the following comments about when I would use the L1 Pro8 or L1 Pro16 instead of the L1 Pro32.
L1 Pro8 (Instead of L1 Pro32)
Here are the few situations where I would choose the L1 Pro8 instead of an L1 Pro32 with Sub1
- Small audience AND some of them are above me
- Example: Outside concert for shut-ins under lockdown coming out on their balconies to hear the show
- As a stage monitor when there's a separate Front of House system and I need to avoid having my monitor mix spill into the house
- Festival setting with several stages close by, and I don't want my sound to interfere with other performances
- Any setting where my audience is close, and I want to limit the amount of sound projected beyond them
- Example: Outside street concert and I don't want to disturb local businesses
L1 Pro16 (instead of L1 Pro32)
Here are the few situations where I would choose the L1 Pro16 instead of an L1 Pro32 with Sub1
- When some of the audience's ears are below the stage floor
- Festival setting with several stages close by, and I don't want my sound to interfere with other performances (repeat from L1 Pro8, but where the local audience is bigger and longer projection is preferred)
Weights
- Total Carry Weight
The L1 Pro32 is approximately 64.1 pounds (29.1 kg).
The L1 Pro16 is 54.8 pounds (24.8 kg)
The L1 Pro8 is 39.8 pounds (18 kg).
Background
Personal note: I got one L1 Pro8 and two L1 Pro16s as soon as they were released (October 2020). I got two L1 Pro32 with Sub1s when they were released in late February 2021. If I had been able to compare all of them side-by-side I might not have the L1 Pro16s today.
 This article expresses my opinion and experience. Please post comments Twitter @ST_Muso or LinkedIn @STPro. Thank you — ST. |