How to distinguish the quality of stage lights and what are the purchasing tips

Methods to distinguish the quality of stage lights

Appearance process

Shell material and workmanship: The shells of high-quality stage lights are usually made of high-strength, high-temperature resistant alloy materials or engineering plastics, with a smooth and flat surface, free of burrs, scratches and deformations. Check whether the joints of the lamps are tight, with uniform gaps and no obvious excessive gaps or misalignment. For example, gently touch the edge of the shell with your hand to feel its smoothness. If there is a rough feeling, it may mean that the workmanship is rough.

Heat dissipation design: Good heat dissipation is the key to ensuring the stable operation of stage lights. Observe whether the lamp housing has designs such as heat dissipation fins and heat dissipation holes. The heat dissipation fins should be evenly distributed and neatly arranged, and the heat dissipation holes should be of moderate size and free from blockage. Lamps with unreasonable heat dissipation design will have an excessively high internal temperature after long-term use, which will affect the lifespan and performance of the lamps.

Optical performance

Light spot quality: Turn on the lamp and observe whether the light spot it projects is uniform and clear. The edge of the light spot of high-quality stage lights should be neat, without obvious dark areas or stray light. For instance, shine a lamp onto a white wall and check if there is any obvious uneven brightness or darkness in the light spot. If the center of the light spot is bright and the edge is dark, or if there are irregular dark spots, it indicates that there is a problem with the optical system of the lamp.

Color rendering index: The color rendering index reflects the light source's ability to reproduce the color of an object. The color rendering index of an object can be judged by observing the color of the object illuminated by the lamp. Under the illumination of high-quality stage lights, the color of objects should be bright and true, close to the color under natural light. If the color of an object is distorted or grayish, it indicates that the color rendering index of the lamp is low and it is not suitable for performance scenes with high color requirements.

Color consistency: For stage lighting systems that combine multiple lights, color consistency is of vital importance. Turn on multiple lamps of the same model simultaneously and compare whether the colors of the light they emit are consistent. If there are obvious differences in color, it will affect the uniformity and beauty of the stage lighting effect.

Electrical performance

Power adapter: Check whether the power adapter or power cord of the lamp meets safety standards and whether there is any damage or aging. A high-quality power adapter should have good insulation and heat dissipation performance, with stable input and output voltages. You can check the label on the power adapter to confirm whether its rated voltage, current and other parameters are in line with the requirements of the lamp.

Dimming performance: Test whether the dimming function of the lamp is normal and whether the dimming process is smooth without flicker. By adjusting the dimmer, observe the changes in the brightness of the lamp. If problems such as flickering and brightness jumps occur during the dimming process, it indicates that there is a problem with the dimming circuit of the lamp, which may affect the presentation of the stage lighting effect.

Electromagnetic compatibility: Stage lights with poor electromagnetic compatibility may cause interference to other electronic devices, such as noise in audio equipment and snowflakes in video equipment. When making a purchase, you can ask the merchant about the electromagnetic compatibility of the lamps or conduct tests in the actual usage environment.

Durability and reliability

Component quality: Open the lamp housing (if allowed) and check the quality of the internal components. High-quality components should have good precision and stability, such as light bulbs, reflectors, driving circuits, etc. The bulb should be undamaged or undeformed. The surface of the reflector cup should be smooth. The components of the driving circuit should be welded firmly.

Protection level: Select lamps of appropriate protection level based on the usage environment of the stage. If the stage environment is harsh, such as outdoor performances, with dust or moisture, etc., lamps with a higher protection level should be selected to prevent dust or moisture from entering the interior of the lamps and affecting their normal operation. Generally speaking, the protection level is indicated by IP codes. For instance, IP65 indicates that the lamp has the functions of dust-proof and water-proof.

Tips for choosing stage lights

Clarify the usage requirements

Performance type: Different types of performances have different requirements for stage lighting. For example, concerts usually require high-brightness and colorful lights to create a lively atmosphere; In contrast, theatrical performances pay more attention to the layering of lighting and the effects of light and shadow to highlight the expressions and movements of the actors. Determine the required parameters such as the type, brightness and color of the lamps according to the type of performance.

Stage scale: The size and height of the stage will affect the illumination distance and coverage of the lamps. For large stages, it is necessary to select lamps with a long illumination distance and a large beam Angle to ensure that the entire stage can receive uniform lighting. For small stages, lamps with shorter illumination distances and smaller beam angles can be chosen to achieve more precise lighting control.

Budget range: When choosing stage lights, make your selection based on your budget range. The prices of stage lights from different brands and models vary greatly. Under the premise of meeting the usage requirements, choose products with high cost performance.

Understand the product parameters

Light source types: Common stage lighting sources include halogen tungsten lamps, LED lamps, gas discharge lamps, etc. Halogen tungsten lamps have the characteristics of high brightness and good color rendering, but they have a short lifespan and high energy consumption. LED lamps have the advantages of energy conservation, long lifespan and rich colors, but the initial cost is relatively high. Gas discharge lamps feature high brightness and long range, making them suitable for large-scale outdoor performances. Select the appropriate type of light source based on usage requirements and budget.

Power and brightness: Power and brightness are important indicators for evaluating the performance of stage lights. Generally speaking, the greater the power, the higher the brightness, but the higher the energy consumption. When choosing lighting fixtures, it is necessary to select those with appropriate power and brightness based on the size of the stage and the lighting requirements.

Dimming methods: Common dimming methods include analog dimming and digital dimming. Analog dimming achieves brightness adjustment by regulating voltage or current. The dimming process is relatively simple, but the dimming accuracy is relatively low. Digital dimming controls the brightness of lamps through digital signals. It features high dimming accuracy and a smooth dimming process, but the cost is relatively high. Choose the appropriate dimming method according to actual needs.

Examine the reputation of merchants

Word-of-mouth reviews: You can learn about the word-of-mouth reviews of merchants through online search, consulting peers, and other means. Choosing a merchant with a good reputation and high credibility can reduce the purchase risk and ensure product quality and after-sales service.

After-sales service: High-quality after-sales service is an important link to ensure the normal use of stage lights. Understand the after-sales service policies of the merchant, such as the warranty period, repair response time, etc. Choose a merchant that offers comprehensive after-sales service so that any problems encountered during use can be promptly resolved.

Field test experience

On-site demonstration: If conditions permit, you can ask the merchant to conduct an on-site demonstration to directly experience the lighting effect and performance of the lamps. Observe whether the brightness, color, dimming effect and other aspects of the lamps meet expectations.

Trial experience: In some cases, it is advisable to seize the opportunity to try out the lamps and conduct tests in the actual usage environment. Through trial use, one can have a more comprehensive understanding of the performance and applicability of the lamps, avoiding blind purchases.