Is the Bose S1 Pro+ Worth It? Portable PA for Singers Review

The Bose S1 Pro+ is the portable PA to buy if you sing or play acoustic sets for small audiences and want everything in one 14.4-pound box. It gives you a three-channel mixer with ToneMatch and reverb on two mic channels, an 11-hour battery and built-in docks for optional wireless transmitters. Skip it if you want a party speaker with deep bass and lights, or if it might get rained on.

The independent verdicts line up. MusicRadar called it excellent, well made and very easy to use, and judged it loud enough for a small pub. RTINGS found it remarkably loud with a warm, vocal-friendly balance but light on low bass, so it is not the box for dance-music nights.

ArmorSound did not test this speaker in person. This review is based on Bose Professional's specs, FAQ and owner's guide plus published reviews from RTINGS and MusicRadar, credited as we go.

Quick verdictRecommended

The easiest battery PA for singers and acoustic acts

Two mic channels with ToneMatch and reverb, an 11-hour battery and a 14.4-pound body make it ideal for small gigs and serious karaoke. RTINGS found it light on low bass, and the wireless transmitters cost extra.

Buy it if

Solo singers and acoustic duos
Buskers and small venues
Karaoke with real microphones

Skip it if

You want deep bass for dancing
You play where it might rain

Check price on Amazon →

Where to buy

Our verdict

Bose S1 Pro+

Best for: Singers and acoustic acts on the move

Mixer: 3 channels, 2 for mic/instrument
Battery: Up to 11 hrs; up to 4 hrs to charge
Max SPL: 109 dB at 1 m (calculated)
Drivers: 6-in woofer, three 2.25-in tweeters
Weight: 14.4 lb (6.5 kg)

ToneMatch and reverb on both mic channels
Auto EQ across four positions
Docks and charges optional wireless transmitters
XLR line out and USB-C Live Stream mode

Light on low bass, per RTINGS
Not water resistant
Wireless transmitters sold separately

Watch for: The wireless transmitters are extras that MusicRadar put at about $149 each, and they last 4 to 5 hours against the speaker's 11.

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What are the Bose S1 Pro+ key specs?

Spec	Bose S1 Pro+
Drivers	One 6-inch woofer, three 2.25-inch tweeters
Maximum output	109 dB SPL at 1 m (calculated)
Coverage	120 degrees horizontal, 50 degrees vertical
Mixer	3 channels: two XLR/6.35 mm combo inputs with ToneMatch and reverb; one for Bluetooth, 6.35 mm TRS or 3.5 mm
Outputs and USB	XLR line out; USB-C Live Stream mode; USB-A phone charging (5V/1.5A)
Battery	5,500 mAh, up to 11 hours; up to 4 hours to charge; user-replaceable
Bluetooth	5.0 (per RTINGS and MusicRadar); one source at a time
Water resistance	None
Size and weight	13.1 x 9.4 x 11 in; 14.4 lb (6.5 kg)
Warranty	2 years

How does the Bose S1 Pro+ sound for vocals and deep bass?

Bose Professional pairs a 6-inch woofer with three 2.25-inch tweeters and quotes a calculated maximum of 109 dB at one meter, with 120 degrees of horizontal coverage. It does not publish an amplifier wattage, so treat any wattage you see in a store listing with caution.

RTINGS describes a warm sound with some extra high-bass that adds fullness to guitars but can make voices a little muddy, balanced by an even mid-range that keeps speech intelligible. It found the speaker remarkably loud, with some compression at maximum volume, and short on low bass, which makes it a poor fit for dance-music events.

MusicRadar's reviewer, a working musician, heard rich, punchy and clear sound even when the speaker was driven hard. Vocals and acoustic guitars stayed clear with no obvious compression or distortion at a respectable volume, though he noticed slight feedback when he stood too close to the speaker.

If you need more bass, the S1 Pro+ has a Sub EQ setting that adjusts its output when a powered subwoofer is connected to the line out. Bose recommends its own Sub1 or Sub2 bass modules but says the setting works with any powered sub.

How do the Bose S1 Pro+ mixer, ToneMatch and controls work?

Channels 1 and 2 take a microphone, guitar or keyboard through combo XLR/6.35 mm jacks. Each channel gets volume, treble and bass, and those two also get ToneMatch presets and reverb. Channel 3 handles playback from Bluetooth, a 6.35 mm TRS line source or a 3.5 mm cable from a phone.

MusicRadar notes that Bose replaced the original S1 Pro's separate EQ and reverb knobs with a single push-and-turn control per channel, plus bright OLED displays that rotate when you change the speaker's position. That helps on dim stages.

The Bose Music app adds remote control, the full ToneMatch library for specific microphones and instruments, saved Scenes and channel and reverb mute. MusicRadar found connecting to the app simple. When a wireless transmitter is on a channel, Insert mode turns that channel's 6.35 mm jack into an effects loop, so a guitarist can keep a pedal in the chain.

How long does the Bose S1 Pro+ battery last, and how does it charge?

Bose rates the 5,500 mAh battery at up to 11 hours with typical use and says to allow up to four hours for a full charge. Runtime drops with louder material, and Bose does not publish a figure for full performance volume. RTINGS found the battery lasts a bit longer than the original S1 Pro's.

The battery is user-replaceable, though not hot-swappable. Bose's owner's guide says to remove two screws and the bottom plate, then pull the old pack out by its tabs, and Bose sells a replacement S1 Pro+ System Battery Pack. The guide also says a new pack stays in sleep mode until the speaker is connected to AC power and switched on, so this is not a mid-gig swap like the tool-free battery on JBL's EON ONE Compact.

A USB-A port charges a phone at 5V/1.5A from the battery or wall power. The system powers itself off after four hours with no audio and no control changes.

How do the Bose S1 Pro+ wireless transmitters, Bluetooth and expansion options work?

Bose sells two optional transmitters: a Wireless Mic/Line Transmitter with an XLR plug and a Wireless Instrument Transmitter with a 6.35 mm plug. They pair with receivers built into channels 1 and 2, and between sets they dock inside the speaker to store and charge. MusicRadar called them the best part of the design but criticized Bose for not including them, putting them at about $149 each, which pushes a fully wireless setup past $1,000.

Mind the battery gap. Bose's product page rates the transmitters at up to 4 hours, and the owner's guide says up to 5 hours with typical use and 2 hours to recharge. That is well short of the speaker's 11 hours, so dock them during breaks on long gigs. MusicRadar lists a 2.4 GHz link with a 30-foot range.

Bluetooth connects one device at a time, according to the owner's guide, and RTINGS found relatively low latency on iOS and Android, so videos should stay in sync. For bigger rooms, the XLR line out sends the mix to a second S1 Pro+ or a mixing console, and Dual Wireless Streaming in the Bose Music app plays Bluetooth audio on another S1 Pro+ or an L1 Pro system in dual mono or stereo.

Live Stream mode turns the speaker into a USB-C audio interface. It sends a dual mono mix of all three channels to a computer for streaming or recording, but the owner's guide notes it cannot play audio back from the computer.

How do placement, Auto EQ and build work on the Bose S1 Pro+?

The S1 Pro+ works in four positions: upright on a table or ledge, tilted back on the floor, on its side as a floor monitor, or on a stand through its 35 mm flange. Auto EQ senses the orientation and applies a matching EQ curve, so you do not have to retune each time you move it. For performers, Bose suggests placing it behind you or slightly to one side.

The enclosure is polypropylene with a powder-coated steel grille and an inset handle on top that MusicRadar found comfortable. MusicRadar was disappointed that no soft case comes in the box. Bose says the S1 Pro+ is not water resistant, and RTINGS notes it has no dust or water rating, so cover it or move it under shelter at the first drops. Our speaker maintenance tips cover cleaning and storage.

Who should buy the Bose S1 Pro+, and who should skip it?

Buy it if:

You are a solo singer, duo or busker who needs a mixer, reverb and battery power in one box.
You want karaoke with real microphones and reverb rather than lights and vocal removal.
You teach, present or stream and could use the USB-C Live Stream mode.
You plan to go cable-free later with the dockable transmitters.

Skip it if:

You want thumping bass for dance parties. A party speaker such as the JBL PartyBox Club 120 suits that job better.
You want karaoke with mics in the box and vocal removal. Read our Soundcore Rave 3S review.
You play outdoors where rain is likely. Look at a weather-rated PA instead.
You need to fill a bigger room. Our QSC K12.2 review covers a mains-powered 12-inch speaker.

What are the alternatives to the Bose S1 Pro+?

Feature	Bose S1 Pro+	JBL EON ONE Compact	Electro-Voice EVERSE 8	Mackie Thump GO
Woofer	6 in	8 in	8 in	8 in
Max SPL (maker's figure)	109 dB (calculated)	112 dB	121 dB	115 dB peak
Mixer channels	3	4	4	2
Claimed battery	Up to 11 hrs	Up to 12 hrs, swappable	12+ hrs moderate, 6+ hrs at max	Up to 12 hrs, removable
Weather rating	Not water resistant	None listed	IP43	None listed
Weight	14.4 lb	17.6 lb	16.8 lb	17.6 lb

JBL EON ONE Compact. The pick if you need more inputs. JBL lists a four-channel mixer with effects including reverb, chorus and delay, two XLR/TRS combo jacks plus a 6.35 mm Hi-Z guitar input and a 3.5 mm aux, and phantom power for condenser mics. Its battery is tool-free swappable, rated at 12 hours and recharged in 2.5 hours. It weighs 17.6 pounds and has no dockable wireless system. Check the JBL EON ONE Compact on Amazon.

Electro-Voice EVERSE 8. The weather-ready option. EV rates it IP43 against splashes and light rain, with a 400-watt amplifier, 121 dB maximum SPL and a four-channel Dynacord mixer with effects, feedback suppression and ducking. A 12V output can power EV's wireless mic receivers. EV's manual promises 12+ hours at moderate levels and 6+ at maximum, and it weighs 16.8 pounds. MusicRadar's reviewer felt its sound suits music more than mics. See the Electro-Voice EVERSE 8 on Amazon.

Mackie Thump GO. The simplest of the group. Mackie lists an 8-inch woofer, 200 watts peak, 115 dB peak output and a removable battery rated at up to 12 hours. Its two-channel mixer adds music ducking and a feedback eliminator, plus an XLR thru output, and it can link to a second Thump GO over Bluetooth. It weighs 17.6 pounds.

For a larger mains-powered system, our Bose F1 Model 812 review and our PA systems for events guide cover bigger options. For home singing, our karaoke speaker guide picks the S1 Pro+ as its choice for live performers. Portable speakers include the waterproof Skullcandy Ounce+ and the freestanding Marshall Kilburn II.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bose S1 Pro+ waterproof?

No. Bose Professional's FAQ states plainly that the S1 Pro+ is not water resistant, and RTINGS notes it has no dust or water rating. Use it under a canopy or indoors, and bring it in at the first sign of rain. If you regularly play outside, a weather-rated PA such as the IP43 Electro-Voice EVERSE 8 is the safer pick.

Does the Bose S1 Pro+ come with wireless microphones?

No. The box contains the speaker with its battery and a power cord. Bose's wireless transmitters are optional: one turns a wired XLR mic into a wireless one, the other does the same for a 6.35 mm instrument cable. MusicRadar put them at about $149 each. You can also plug wired mics straight into channels 1 and 2.

How long does the Bose S1 Pro+ battery last?

Bose rates it at up to 11 hours with typical use and says a full charge takes up to four hours. Louder material shortens that. The optional wireless transmitters run far less: up to 4 hours on Bose's product page and up to 5 hours in the owner's guide, recharging in about two hours in the speaker's docks.

Can you connect two Bose S1 Pro+ speakers?

Yes, two ways. The XLR line out sends the full mix to a second S1 Pro+ or a mixing console, and Bose says two units can run in stereo for instruments or backing tracks. Dual Wireless Streaming in the Bose Music app plays Bluetooth audio on two compatible Bose systems at once, in dual mono or stereo.

Is the Bose S1 Pro+ good for karaoke?

Yes, if you want real singing tools. Bose's own product page pitches it for karaoke nights: you get two mic channels with reverb and ToneMatch, and backing tracks play over Bluetooth on channel 3. There is no vocal removal, no lights and no microphone in the box, so a karaoke party speaker like the Soundcore Rave 3S is simpler for casual singers.

Sources

How do the Bose S1 Pro+ output and wireless add-ons compare on paper?

Bose's own figures cover loudness and transmitter runtime. Published reviews fill in price and range for the add-on transmitters.

Bose Professional quotes a calculated maximum of 109 dB at one meter and publishes no amplifier wattage.
Bose's product page rates the optional transmitters at up to 4 hours, so dock them during breaks on long gigs. (boseprofessional.com)
The owner's guide lists up to 5 hours of transmitter use and 2 hours to recharge. (assets.boseprofessional.com)
MusicRadar lists a 2.4 GHz transmitter link with a 30-foot range. (musicradar.com)