Bose is known for its R&D-led lateral thinking, and Bose Professional live sound products have provided some notable examples over the years. For those who were there, the 800 Series from the early 1980s (onwards) was a fitting introduction to the quirky side of Bose – 8 x 4-inch drivers controlled by a processor was certainly different to other live speakers of the time. The Bose L1 from 2003 introduced the portable line array ‘stick’ system (and remains the ‘yardstick’ for many in that category). The Bose F1 Flexible Array from 2015 is a hybrid active two-way point source speaker that controls the vertical coverage by angling the top and bottom sections of the cabinet — again, something out of the ordinary.
CONVENTIONS
The most unconventional systems have been the smaller portable speakers. Bose large-scale ShowMatch and ArenaMatch array systems arguably present as comparatively conventional designs backed by Bose ingenuity. Somewhere in between the smaller portable systems and the bigger PA systems is the new Bose AAM Series multi-purpose speaker range.
The range consists of only three models — the AAM108 and AAM112 full-range speakers and the accompanying AMS115 sub — but between them can cover all the common audio tasks: FOH, foldback or fill. Designed to be portable or installed, with voicing consistent with Bose ArenaMatch array systems and the ArenaMatch Utility range of two-way speakers, the idea is to create convenient, scalable, mix ’n’ match options for any size production requirement.
ALL BUSINESS
Bose may well be known for its distinctive designs but AAM presents as classic, almost old-school — passive, two-way coaxial point source speakers in a chunky wedge-shaped Baltic pine cabinet (without a hint of Bose branding on the front). Finished in an unpretentious polyurethane coating without any plastic styling embellishments or tricks. Simple and focused. Bose sees these products residing in professional settings where keeping a low profile is still seen as an advantage.
The classic theme continues with the sound. Bose recommends using AAM with the model-specific presets in the Bose ControlSpace DSP, included in Bose PowerMatch/Powershare amps or in stand-alone Bose processors, but they <can> be used without and, if you choose to do so, they’re quite entertaining.
Compared to the massaged output of processor-controlled powered speakers the unprocessed sound is refreshingly raw and responsive. The coaxial design delivers inherently coherent results while the drivers provide high-power handling and efficient units. Used as bare speakers in a box, the frequency response is not exactly linear and they do need a bit of EQ — there are a couple of spikes around 1.6kHz and 4kHz that could cut cheese if left unattended — but once tamed they develop a lot of sound with a clear, in-your-face delivery. The processor does it for you and adds protection too but it’s good to be given the choice.
