Key Features:
– Price = $599.99
– Number of LED’s = 276
– Consumption = 230W
– Coverage area = 24” x 24”
– Warranty = 2-year manufacturer
– Dimensions = 13”L x 10”W x 1.25”H
– Weight = 3.55 lbs
– Included light shield that turns off fixture when flipped up
– Included mounting bracket (hanging options available separately)
– Active cooling
– Regional cloud pattern programming
– Energy saving mode that reduces use by 30%
– RGB lighting that synchs with music and ambient surrounding
Our thoughts:
Several systems at the studio have successfully grown coral using Maxspect lighting, whether the Jump or RSX. Thus, when we heard that the company was releasing a new fixture, we knew we had to get our hands on one. We have been sent a model for review, which we will put on a brand-new build at the studio.
In terms of first impressions, I like the aesthetics of the fixture more than most any other LEDs on the market – it sports a sleek black look with finished aluminum, and it’s also extremely thin at only 1.25 inches high – this makes for a fixture that looks more spaceship than light. Of course, one can’t look at this light and not mention the RGB lights – while they may not be for everyone, I will certainly be using their music synch mode at the Reefstock studio party. The inclusion of RGB accent lights helps to push lights from just another piece of equipment to something that can lend to the overall aesthetic value of a system – this is one of the few LED’s out there I would be comfortable saying nails both form and function.
Following the current zeitgeist in LEDs, the fixture also runs its LEDs at a fraction of their theoretical output (ran at a max of 230w but capable of 762w). This helps prevent burnt lenses and preserves the LEDs for much longer compared to models that juice the chips to their maximum. This fixture also has a unique horseshoe-shaped array, which could potentially improve color blending and spread compared to the limited nature of more point source arrays.
Another interesting feature is the inclusion of different light presets that mimic distinct global environments such as the Great Barrier Reef, Bali, Palawan, Sabah, and Okinawa. I am curious to see if using these distinct geographic settings could yield differences in how corals color up. The Ethereal also has many convenient features, such as the included light shade, which turns off the fixture once it’s raised—saving time during maintenance.
Stay tuned for a full video breakdown with PAR and spectral data soon.
Technical Details and Data:
