Bose F1 Model 812 and Powered Subwoofer Pair Reviews

We're a 5 piece classic rock/metal band who gigs out 25-30 shows a year. Mostly bar circuits, but some outdoor festivals and such. This Bose system handles itself masterfully in every application we put it to. It's actually pretty impressive that we've used it in some of the places we have. One would think you'd need a much bigger system for some of these gigs, but the Bose 812's really punch above their weight class. I've even utilized them in theater productions where they've performed fabulously. And it's so light and easy to use! Very power friendly (we've played shows in the middle of a field at a festival off a small generator). Even for bars/venues that aren't really set up for bands, you can get the job done with a single 20amp circuit and not pop a breaker mid-set (and if you've gigged out half as long as I have, you know what I'm talking about). There simply is no better system for the size, weight, portability, reliability, and sound quality. They're a little pricier than some other similarly sized systems, but they'll more than prove their worth as soon as you use them the first time. I love these things.

Stuff is the real deal. We have had the system 2 yrs and do festival type gigs...6 pc, 2 drummers, and a full up 32 ch board..separates and delivers a punchy clean tone. Cant wait to get a second system.

These have proven to me and my band they can play any arrangement any set up great power great sound great kick subs are phenomenal the 812s clarity is unbelievable if you can afford this package I suggest you buy just keep in mind the cases are $600 at the price of five grand bows should throw in the cases

We have a small band and we were looking for the perfect speaker for our needs and we found it in this bose arrangement.

Clear and loud. Tired of paying a sound man? Pick up these and a Soundcraft U16 and the $300 gig is now like $600. Not too heavy, quick, and easy.
Worth it. Figure the thousands of hours you've spent on your craft, and then go cheap on what presents it? No… buy once and be happy. The last piece to the puzzle.

Just purchased the F1 812 system pair and every venue is WOW! they all vouch that all sound GOES better with BOSE!
no matter which bose PA product you choose, it will definitely sound the best it can especially with their tone match mixers giving customized sound for your event!
Another important feature of this system that none others have, is the ability that can be made to look nice for upscale venues where curb appeal is very important by creating a caster base for the sub and a difused light pannel between the sub and main.
A been searching for solution to the ugly pole sticking out of big sub woofer box traditions.
I will follow up on this review at a later date.

TL;DR, it's great, top shelf stuff. Bose magic sound juju strikes again. Even though it's been around for a while with newer stuff out there, it was the best answer for me.

I bring the PA for whatever band(s) I am in. I have a few decades' worth of experience with various vendors and formats. I do like what compact line arrays can do. This is a big step up from my existing RCF EVOX J8 fronts in several regards: louder, deeper, better dispersion, better stereo imaging, more adjustability for venues, lighter, better packaging, etc. You get what you pay for, right?

We spent the morning running a bunch of different music styles outdoors at different volume levels. There's a bit of upper-mid harshness as they're new, but that will pass after the first gig. At moderate volumes, they are very pleasant to listen to -- ear candy -- and you can have a conversation at 20 ft and still be rocking to some great music. You can walk off at a serious angle, and they still sound good, just not as loud. The bass was surprisingly authoritative for a pair of 10's, felt like there was a real sub somewhere around. More Bose design magic.

And, yes, they get can really really loud and deep and clean but never did they cross the line to harsh as long as you pay attention to gain staging. Just stand at a safe distance, or wear ear protection.

Packaging is great: they look sleek and sexy, really simple to work with, the design hides cables well, they look very professional, super easy to setup and breakdown, etc. Only thing to think about is that they are fixed height (6"), so you might need to use the aiming thing to point some two of the line drivers upwards (which we tried outdoors, and did change the sound quite nicely), or maybe get them off the ground somehow. We're now set for anything indoors, from the smallest club to the largest local venues. Outdoors, I'd guess we're good for a larger crowd, like 300 or so people, maybe adding a big sub.

Had I tried to do something similar with other products (which I endlessly considered), it would be a compromise in one direction or another. Bose had the right features for what I do, great sound, and also delivering great value. Buy once, cry once.

Many thanks to Sweetwater for having stock, offering a great package price and delivering them faster than I thought possible.

Well worth the investment. I bought one set and I am currently ordering another set giving me 4 subs and four mids and highs for my tv broadcast company when we do live events. Boss does it again!

I bought the bose S1 pro about 3yeras be fore I purchased F1 year and a half. It fits completely indoors and outdoor with sound you expect. Great sound easy to set up and to carry, if you buy believe me you won't regret it's an absolutely 5star rating.

I own one pair and soon second pair (or more) for touring and personal use. The sound is amazing and the only speakers I liked better are almost five times this price. Buy these you will love it!

My 15 year old son's band was starting to book some really great gigs - but got Corona viruses -they lost them all with Covid. So I had to get creative, and set up a Dodge RAM truck as a portable drum riser. The kids do four, 4 song shows in street takeover fashion, in 4 hours, in front of 4 houses, in 4 different cities. The truck rolls up, lift gate drops, a Honda generator and 3 carpets fall out the back, along with a guitar amp/guitarist which goes near the drivers side rear wheel, a bass amp and bass player which goes near the passenger side rear wheel, singer's mic stand and a super tiny mixing board goes right off, straight out from the lift gate, and a Bose F1 speaker system. Run extension cords and XLRs and you're in business. We were using smaller, less powerful speakers, and needed a more powerful speaker system. Sweetwater engineer Sean Geyer recommended these, we tried them, and sound great, are super portable, break down and set up quickly and easily, plus they fit right in the back of the truck, loaded LIFO style! Couldn't be happier. But they ain't cheap!

I purchased the complete set in april of last year. I use them for weddings only. I have had so many compliments on the sound. They are so easy to set up. LOVE THEM !!

My buddy kept telling me about this set up for about a year and I wouldn't listen to him. I was using top of the line JBL and Crown Macro Tech 5000i set up and killing my back mind you.
I went to see a friend of mine perform and he had a pair. I ask him where was his mains? You guessed it, the Bose F1! Needless to say I stored my JBL/crown set up and now use the F1 and I couldn't be happier.