Creating a stereo pair - Bose S1 Pro & S1 Pro +

[Scouser]

I have been trying to figure out if I can create a stereo pair using these slightly different speakers the + version is the newer of the speakers and the other is the older version.

I have never looked at the software ( Bose Connect ) I have been told it can be done using the software but I am assuming only if you have 2 speakers the same which I don't ( as explained ) I am guessing this would probably be done via Bluetooth which probably wouldn't be the best way anyways ?

So, would I then be correct in assuming the only other way would be the line out method ? One speaker is 1/4inch jack the other XLR so a lead to reflect that is the way to go, and probably a more reliable way to go ?

[Tomás Mulcahy]

As you discovered, the app won't let you do it via BT. Unfortunately, the wiring won't do it either. That is designed for extending the signal to a second speaker, not for allowing separate L and R signals.

[Scouser]

Ouch ! Presumably if I want the same thing coming out the 2 speakers then the line out method will work ? Essentially I am using them for gigging. I have a vocal mic plugged into 1 and want it to come out both speakers..

I also wanted to be able to run an out from my AER 60 to put some guitar in both speakers, can I achieve both of the above ? Would like to do this without a mixer if at possible, but having said that if all else fails presumably a mixer would resolve these issues ?

[Tomás Mulcahy]

The line out will simply mirror everything from the first speaker to the second speaker.

[Bob Bickerton]

As Tomas says running in mono will work - both inputs into one speaker, then connect between speakers - line out to input for a mono set up. That’s how I run mine most of the time (pair of original S1s).

If you want to run in stereo use a mixer and send left/right outputs to different speakers.

Bob

[Scouser]

Ok thanks for your help folks...

Currently I only have one original was just checking before I pull the trigger on another speaker.

In retrospect a mono set up would be fine for guitar and vocals, I can also run some backing from my looper through the amp and out to PA. I guess there are pros and cons to either matching the speaker with another original, or going with the newer S1 Pro+, unless there is a good reason for going for a particular one ?

[resistorman]

Ok thanks for your help folks...

Currently I only have one original was just checking before I pull the trigger on another speaker.

In retrospect a mono set up would be fine for guitar and vocals, I can also run some backing from my looper through the amp and out to PA. I guess there are pros and cons to either matching the speaker with another original, or going with the newer S1 Pro+, unless there is a good reason for going for a particular one ?

As far as I can tell the only real difference is the digital mixer section, they sound quite similar.

[Scouser]

What about line out on S1 Pro to Aux S1 Pro +

[Sam Spoons]

I'm guessing that will work but the rig will be in mono. Why not look out for a used S1 Pro mk1? I should also warn you that the battery management in these is poor at best, there were major issues with the early S1 Pro's draining the battery even when switched off which was never, to my knowledge, fully resolved and after a couple of years of occasional use on mains power the battery on one of my two S1 Pros has bricked itself (after possibly after a dozen charge cycles). So if you use one mostly on mains power I'd suggest removing the battery(s) and keeping it somewhere safe rather than leaving it in the speaker.

[Bob Bickerton]

I heard about some S1s having battery issues, but mine have been OK.

I've had mine for 5 years and have pretty much only run them off batteries. But interestingly I use them in burst for school concert tours, so typically a run of 20 to 30 one hour concerts for three weeks twice a year, with occasional use in between. Full charge before a tour and recharging after around 4 or 5 hours of use or full charge before the occasional gig.

Referring to the OP, nearly always used dual mono.

I guess it was the luck of the draw.....

Bob

[Scouser]

I had issues with my S1 pro battery and had to fight them tooth and nail to get a replacement battery.. Oddly enough since changing, it hasn't been too bad, but then again, I use it with mains far more than battery, this is why I am edging towards the new one, hopefully it doesn't have the same issues

[Sam Spoons]

The initial battery issue was a few years ago when the S1 was a new bit of kit. It didn't affect all users (or, apparently, all S1 Pros) because it only came to light under certain use cases*. If you always charged before an off grid gig you would never know your S1 was affected, if you used it every few days likewise, if you never used it on battery power or left it plugged in permanently you wouldn't know. Only if you left it in storage for a few weeks then dragged it out for a gig without charging would your discover that it had the issue, neither of which is a good battery management strategy anyway. They did improve things with firmware updates but it never entirely went away. Mine got sorted to the point that as long as I charged them before gigs they were perfectly useable until that battery pack died a few weeks ago.

* The actual problem was that the speaker would gradually drain the battery's charge over a period of days or weeks even when switched off (as in storage). One of mine would lose over 50% of it's charge in the space of about 10 days.

[Bob Bickerton]

Ah well, I may yet be in for that pleasure, although I haven’t noticed any degradation in running time. Like radio mics, I always charge before a gig/series of gigs.

Bob

[Sam Spoons]

Runtime/battery capacity was never the issue, it was the fact that the battery charge got used up over a few days even when the speaker was switched off. I guess that would affect capacity over a long period of time but they had got most units behaving reasonably well with updated firmware meaning that while the still drained the battery when switched off it took weeks rather than days.

[Scouser]

So what would the best charging regime be for extending/improving performance ? Charge before use ?

[Bob Bickerton]

This article is an interesting read: https://www.battery-energy-storage-sys ... orage.html

By complete accident, that’s how I happen to be using mine. I would always charge before a gig, or series of gigs, but always store with probably a 30% to 60% charge for around 3 to 4 months.

Bob

[Sam Spoons]

My problem was with the excessive loss of charge while in storage, I was using them for an off grid gig while on holiday and the speakers had been left in the car for about 3 weeks between charging at home and the session at which point they were more or less completely discharged. Better management solved the problem but I pursued the fix as it was inconvenient. If your S1's had the problem they too would go from 60% to under 20% in the space of, maybe, three weeks so it looks as if they are ok (which I would expect if they have had a firmware update since Covid.