Mega portable: just 78.9 x 12.5 x 17.3” (200.5 x 31.8 x 44cm) HxWxD and weighing in at a paltry 38.2lbs (17.3kg)

Moving swiftly down the mixer controls – next, on channels 1&2 we have phantom power. This is a really welcome – and frankly quite rare – inclusion because it means you can plug in condenser microphones without having to worry about finding the necessary juice to power them. This is a selectable via and on/off switch and when engaged provides 48V of power to channels 1&2. In its simplest form, ToneMatch is available on the front panel of the mixer. As we’ve already seen, you can select between ‘Mic’ ‘Inst’ and ‘Off’ which automatically sets optimum EQ settings for the mic/instrument you’re using.The jewel in the crown here however is that the mixer is accessible and controllable remotely via an app. We’ll get onto that later as part of this comprehensive Bose L1 Pro 8 review. You’ll see the three channels; volume, treble, bass and reverb controls; virtual rotary controls; mute buttons; ToneMatch controls; and System EQ settings – and when you adjust any settings on the app, they change on the fly on the Bose L1 Pro8 in perfect sync. You can even turn phantom power on and off. When you’re gigging on your own, transporting gear around really is a big deal and this is where the L1 Pro 8 comes into its own. Plus you get legendary Bose sound quality with a really impressive low end. It’s a done deal as far as we’re concerned.

Each L1 Pro system features a built-in mixer, so you can connect various instruments, microphones and other sources easily. You get two combo XLR-6.4 mm phantom-powered inputs, 6.4 mm and 3.5 mm (1/8") aux inputs, plus Bluetooth streaming capability. Illuminated rotary encoders give you instant access to volume, tone and reverb settings per channel. Select between optimised system EQ presets for live music, recorded music and more. And add in even more instruments and other audio sources via a dedicated ToneMatch port—one cable provides both power and digital audio between the system and a Bose T4S or T8S mixer (optional).Portability, sound quality and power basically. Line array systems break away from convention in that you don’t have speakers (usually two) placed on each side of the stage. The L1 Pro8 gives singer-songwriters and DJs both setup simplicity and supreme clarity—the power to sound your best and simply perform. Moving down the panel, next up are mute buttons for all three channels. Pretty self-explanatory. Then, on channels 1&2 only, we have ToneMatch, which essentially is where you select the input source. Connectivity

The first is via optional Bose T4S and T8S mixers. These are designed to connect to any Bose L1 Pro mixer via the dedicated ToneMatch port located on the mixer panel. A single cable also powers these external mixers. As we’ve mentioned elsewhere in this Bose L1 Pro 8 review, it also makes a great home hi-fi system. Bose really pushes the portability/performance factor of the L1 Pro8 and with good reason. Technically you could carry this with one arm/hand and leave the other free for instruments etc.OK, working from top to bottom on the mixer section – first we have illuminated rotary encoders on channels 1, 2 and 3. On 1&2, the encoders control volume, treble, bass and reverb. On channel 3, it’s volume, treble and bass. Bose equipment across the board is renowned for its sound quality and in the L1 Pro8 they’ve managed to successfully combine true portability with easy set up and excellent sonic performance. As far as the mids and highs are concerned, the C-shape line array speaker system turns in a highly creditable performance. Sound dispersion, considering this is a mono system, is excellent. The eight speakers with neodymium drivers really do scatter the sound far and wide. The Bose L1 Pro8 is ready whenever you are, enabling easier load-in and faster setup. It offers generous coverage with a C-shaped line array featuring 8 articulated 5.1 cm neodymium drivers. This array delivers 180-degree horizontal coverage with wide vertical dispersion, allowing your audience to hear clearly whether they are seated or standing, even off to the extreme sides in small to medium venues like coffee shops and cafés.