[SOLVED!] Collision Of Sound Waves: Turbosound IP2000 Vs. Bose L1

New stick PA systems hit the market from time to time but so far, few models prove as successful as Turbosound IP2000 and Bose L1. Boasting everything people need to optimize their audio experience, Turbosound IP2000 and Bose L1 work well in many setups. However, while both systems look slim and sleek, they differ from one another in terms of features, performance, … Continue reading if you want to know the winner in Turbosound IP2000 vs. Bose L1 and make up your mind on what to get. 

An Analysis Of The Models

	Turbosound IP2000	Bose L1
Bluetooth Enabled	Yes	No
Number Of Speakers	3	3
Minimum Frequency Response	45Hz	40Hz
Maximum Frequency Response	20kHz	12kHz
HF Driver Size	16 x 2.75 in., 1 x 1 in.	12 x 2.25 in.
LF Driver Size	12 in.	10 in.
Number Of Channels	3	3
Input(s)	2 x XLR-1/4″ combo	NL4 connector, RJ45, 1/4″ – TS unbalanced or TRS balanced

Assessment 

Design And Setup 

To put it plainly, Turbosound IP2000 and Bose L1 have sleek, simple, and compact designs that guarantee convenience. 

In the case of Turbosound IP2000, it usually stands out owing to the ease of sliding the base column into the sub and slipping the top column into that. Moreover, the column modules feature four robust metal pins that ensure a secure fit in their designated spots. In use, the integrated multi-way connectors of IP2000 handle the electrical connections between the subwoofer and the two-column modules. 

About Bose L1, people can disassemble it into four components: an amplifier base with retractable wing feet for stability, a two-part column that smoothly slides into the base, a sub connected via Speakon beside the base and a Tonematch mixer connected via Ethercon. Overall, it only takes about ten minutes to set up Bose L1. Noteworthily, upon purchase, L1 is accompanied by its own gig bags—padded bags for the column and base — as well as slip-on cover for the sub. 

I/O & Control

For your information, Turbosound IP2000 is famous for its user-friendly control interface, particularly among Apple fans. If you look at the rear of the subwoofer, you should see two combo XLR/1/4-inch mic/line inputs in addition to a Bluetooth connection. The Bluetooth link serves both playback and control which is accessible through the Turbo Control iOS app. Unfortunately, Android users do not currently have access to this feature.

Bose L1 engine functions as a four-channel mixer that contains three microphone inputs and one stereo line input. It is necessary for microphone use since the base unit only packs a 1/4-inch line input. The mixer provides simple gain and level controls for each channel alongside a global effect preset that can be activated per channel. As a whole, L1 receive stereo inputs and output them in mono but there is no built-in DSP for PA tuning.

Speaker And Coverage

Turbosound IP2000 incorporates 16 x 2.75-inch mid-high drivers and a horn-loaded tweeter at the top for extended frequency range and projection. The result is a traditional three-way setup that emphasizes mid-range frequencies. Despite claiming wide dispersion angles, the Turbosound model lags behind its Bose competitor once it comes to top-end presence.

Regarding Bose L1, it possesses 12×2.25-inch speakers arranged in an articulated array (each of the speakers is slightly angled outwards to create an expanded coverage pattern). The arrangement contributes to the overall coherence of L1, even when obstructed, and delivers excellent natural feedback rejection capabilities.

Sound

Considering the impressive capabilities of IP2000, it’s no surprise that the Turbosound model offers a solid performance no matter the sources: instruments, vocals, speeches, etc. That being said, while the playback quality is fantastic, the ability to differentiate between sources is not well-defined. The presence of the horn-loaded tweeter adds an enhancement to the ultra-top end. Last but not least, the synergy of Turbosound IP2000 with 16 mid-high drivers truly shines when the system is driven with substantial volume.

In most of the cases, Bose L1 features a natural tone that gives off the feeling that the sound emanates from it rather than being projected by it. Needless to say, L1 is able to present a delightful listening experience for various applications. Via the Bose model, guitars sound rich and well-defined, vocals are clear but not harsh and there is no need to apply extra adjustment. 

Conclusion

All things considered, it’s hard to say which one comes out on top in Turbosound IP2000 and Bose L1 without taking into account individual needs and requirements. For small-to-medium spaces, Turbosound IP2000 won’t let you down but if you need something for large spaces, invest in  Bose L1. As long as you give your situation some thought, you can make a wise investment.