Guitar World has called the Bose S1 Pro portable speaker system a “brilliant design,” and now Bose has made it a little more, well, brilliant, with the new S1 Pro+, the next generation S1 Pro created for musicians, DJs and music enthusiasts.
So what is the S1 Pro+?
As Guitar World Tech Editor and S1 enthusiast Paul Riario explains, “In a nutshell, it’s a small-format, battery-powered PA and practice amp.” But, he adds, “if you ask me, it’s so much more. In essence, the S1 Pro+ is positioned to streamline your live setup in a far more efficient manner than its predecessor, using a wireless design and wireless connectivity and Bluetooth technology.”
The S1 Pro+ delivers powerful sound and improved audio performance in a lighter package than its predecessor, weighing just 14.4 pounds – “super-lightweight,” Paul remarks. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 11 hours of usage on a single charge, eliminating the need for cables and simplifying setup. “But if you want to use cables and plug it all in you can do that as well,” Paul says.
That said, wireless is where it’s at, and the S1 Pro+ offers a fully wireless experience, from instruments and microphones to Bluetooth streaming, with full app control. An optional mic/line and instrument wireless RF transmitters (available for purchase separately for $149 each) pair effortlessly with the system’s integrated wireless RF receivers, and store neatly in the S1 Pro+ unit and charge when not in use.
The loudspeaker also boasts an integrated three-channel mixer with two channels for microphones and instruments, and one dedicated to music playback. The third channel, Paul points out, “has an aux input that’s a quarter-inch, which the S1 didn’t have before.” You can also use the S1 Pro+ in insert mode – enabling you to connect effect pedals to the channel input, essentially creating an effects loop – and live stream mode, which allows you to perform live for an audience or record audio directly to a DAW.
Additionally, you have complete – and wireless – control over settings via the Bose Music App, which offers volume, EQ, reverb and Bose’s ToneMatch library of EQ presets at your fingertips. “What’s great is having this capability allows you to change settings on the fly, without having to bend down to the unit,” Paul says.
His verdict?
“For musicians, singer-songwriters and acoustic and electric guitar players, the Bose S1 Pro+ is the ultimate compact and portable PA system available,” Paul says. “Not only is it powerful and loud, but having the integrated RF design offers you a clean and cable-free setup with untangled freedom to make your performances carefree. Once paired with the Bose app, it puts all your S1 Pro+ settings at your fingertips, making it incredibly efficient for fine-tuning.
“Combine all of this, and the Bose is a must-have for on-the-go musicians who just want to plug and play.”
For more information on the S1 Pro+, head to Bose.
