Moving head lights are essential in various entertainment settings, including theaters, concerts, and corporate events. They provide dynamic and versatile lighting effects that can be adapted for numerous applications. Here are the top manufacturers known for their innovation, reliability, and quality in moving head light technology(Please note the following rankings are in no particular order):
Martin Professional
Headquarters: Aarhus, Denmark
Founded: 1986
Owned by HARMAN International, Martin is renowned for its pioneering work in dynamic lighting solutions, including some of the most advanced moving heads on the market. They are widely respected for high-quality fixtures with innovative features.
Featured moving head by Martin
MAC
MAC range fixtures are designed to address the highest demands of lightning designers and to deliver outstanding performance in critical applications.
ERA
Martin Professional’s ERA range of moving heads offers a powerful and cost-effective solution for entertainment and rental applications. The ERA range combines professional performance with robust feature sets, and each model is carefully engineered to deliver optimum value. ERA moving heads incorporate versatile features and patented Martin technology to deliver world-class solutions and a streamlined user experience.
Reference: https://www.martin.com/moving-lights
Robe Lighting
Headquarters: Czech Republic
Founded: 1994
Based in the Czech Republic, Robe is a global leader known for its high-performance moving head lights used extensively in large scale live concerts, theatre productions, and broadcasts.
Featured moving head by Robe
Pointe
It’s very bright and super-fast with a sharp parallel beam that cuts through the air and across video with ease.
Spikie+
Retaining the fast-moving, compact design of the original, the new Spikie+® generates 25% more lumen output from its single 60W RGBW source, giving you even more impact!
Reference:
Pointe: https://www.robelighting.com/en-NA/pointe
Spikie+: https://www.robelighting.com/en-NA/spikie-plus
Clay Paky
Headquarters: Seriate, Italy
Founded: 1976
An Italian manufacturer that has established itself as a leader in producing premium professional lighting systems, especially known for its moving heads and innovative lighting effects.
Featured moving head by Clay Paky
Sharpy
Sharpy is a 189W moving beam light with an unprecedented brightness usually achievable only with far greater wattages.
B-Eye
The B-EYE has revolutionized the way we think of LED show lighting. Its innovative optical unit enhances the uniformity and efficiency of the light output. The rotating front lens and the possibility to control each single LED individually have made spectacular kaleidoscopic projections and charming eye candy effects possible. A sophisticated effect engine has made it easier to routinely use macro effects, which would otherwise be difficult to program. These technological innovations make the B-EYE a versatile product: a high-performance LED wash light, a perfect beam light, and a spectacular visual effect projector all in one. It has won several awards and has been copied by countless manufacturers for years.
Reference:
Sharpy: https://www.claypaky.it/products/sharpy/
HY B-Eye K25: https://www.claypaky.it/products/hy-b-eye-k25/
Vari-Lite
Headquarters: United States
Founded: 1980
Vari-Lite is a pioneer in the moving heads category, known for inventing the first automated, variable color light. They continue to be a favorite among lighting professionals for live shows and tours.
Featured moving head by Vari-Lite
VL1600 PROFILE
For a wide color range and maximum flexibility, the Vari-Lite VL1600 PROFILE combines a high-definition tunable white LED source with CMY color mixing.
VL2600 SPOT
The new VL2600 range is the LED generation update for the VL2500 Series. A full system lighting solution with dedicated Spot, Wash and Profile fixtures.
Chauvet Professional
Headquarters: FL, USA
Chauvet offers a range of lighting products tailored to different market needs, from concerts to theatrical productions, with their moving head lights known for a good balance of performance and value.
Featured moving head by Chauvet
Maverick
Maverick sets your imagination free with the latest technological advances in optics, light sources, and control options. Maverick, tour-grade moving heads shatter budget ceilings with the most powerful creative artillery including massively bright output, high quality of light, seamless color-mixing, quiet operation, and a killer effects engine that answers the call of the largest, multi-faceted productions.
Rogue
Rogue compact, lightweight moving heads bring unmatched value in a rugged frame.
Reference:
Maverick: https://www.chauvetprofessional.com/maverick/
Rogue: https://www.chauvetprofessional.com/rogue/
ADJ (American DJ)
Headquarters: United States
ADJ provides a variety of lighting options suitable for different levels of needs, from entry-level to professional-grade. Their moving heads offer robust features at competitive prices.
Featured moving head by ADJ
Vizi CMY300
The Vizi CMY300 sets a new standard for what can be achieved from an LED-powered fixture with an attainable price tag. Since its debut at PLASA London back in September, it has garnered interest from lighting designers and installers across the globe and was recently presented with the Best New Club Light title in PLSN magazine’s inaugural Gold Star Awards at LDI 2017.
Hydro Series
The Hydro Series is ADJ’s flagship IP65-rated moving head range, offering lighting professionals high quality, yet affordable, fixtures that are sealed from liquid, humidity, dust and dirt. The Hydro Series currently consists of four models, including the brand new Hydro Wash X19 that saw its official debut at LDI 2019.
Reference:
Vizi CMY300: https://www.adj.com/news/post/vizi-cmy300-press-release
Hydro Series: https://www.adj.com/news/post/hydro-series-plsn-gold-star
Elation Professional
Headquarters: United States
Elation is recognized for its comprehensive range of innovative and efficient lighting products, including some very advanced moving head lights often used in tours, theatres, and permanent installations.
Featured moving head by Elation
Artiste Monet
The award winning Artiste Monet™ is an extremely bright fully featured LED Profile fixture offering outstanding projection quality and a wide color mixing gamut through its variable SpectraColor engine.
Fuze Max Profile
The FUZE MAX PROFILE™ is a full spectrum automated LED framing fixture designed for theater, television and a wide array of other precision lighting applications. The 92 CRI engine utilizes an 800W 5-color homogenized LED array consisting of Red, Green, Blue, Mint, and Amber sources. The carefully tuned LEDs ensure accurate color reproduction and dynamic whites while delivering a powerful output of over 21,000 lumens. Virtual color temperature, Magenta / Green adjustment plus CMY emulation provide the designer with immediate access to the impressive LED color array.
Reference:
Artiste Monet: https://www.elationlighting.com/artiste-monet
Fuze Max Profile: https://www.elationlighting.com/fuze-max-profile
Prolights (Italy)
Headquarters: Italy
PROLIGHTS is the professional lighting division of Music & Lights S.r.l., an Italian company specialized in the manufacture of technologies for the show industry.
Based in Italy, has made significant strides in the professional lighting industry, offering an array of high-quality lighting products including moving head fixtures. Combines Italian design and innovation, offering a broad spectrum of professional lighting products, including moving heads that are versatile and cost-effective.
Featured moving head by Prolights
Astra Wash37Pix
37x40W RGBW moving wash light with 4°-54° zoom, pixel control and pixel ring. The Astra Wash37PIX is a powerful LED moving wash light, designed for large stages, arena tours and venues.
Astra Profile600IP
The Astra Profile600IP is a bright, waterproofed (IP65) LED profile moving light, designed for any large-scale touring applications and exterior installations. Despite its waterproof exterior, this unit is tremendously bright and offers a superior evenness compared to other fixtures in the same class.
Reference:
Astra Wash37Pix: https://www.prolights.it/product/ASTRAWASH37PIX
Astra Profile600IP: https://www.prolights.it/product/ASTRAPROFILE600IP
High End Systems
Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States
Founded: 1972
A division of ETC, Inc., High End Systems manufactures powerful moving head fixtures and digital lighting equipment that are inventive and flexible for multiple uses in entertainment and architectural applications.
Featured moving head by High End Systems
SolaFrame 3000
The award winning SolaFrame 3000 combines unprecedented light output from its 1000 watt Ultra-Bright White LED engine with a limitless palette of effects and color possibilities. Engineered for the largest lighting applications, the fixture’s 37,000 lumens exceed the output of powerful arc lamp fixtures, while simultaneously offering the many advantages of LED technology such as long engine life. The fixture is also available in a High Fidelity version with incredibly accurate color rendering.
Reference:
SolaFrame 3000: https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Legacy/Live-Events-High-End-Systems/Lighting-Fixtures/SolaFrame/3000/Features.aspx
GLP (German Light Products)
Headquarters: Germany
Founded: 1994
GLP is a manufacturer of innovative and high quality intelligent lighting fixtures for the professional lighting market.
GLP is famous for its LED-based moving heads that provide unique lighting effects, especially popular in TV productions and professional entertainment lighting.
Ayrton
Headquarters: France
Known for high-end, innovative LED moving head fixtures, Ayrton has established itself as a leader in the stage and theatrical lighting industry. Its products are famed for precision, versatility, and cutting-edge technology, making them favorites for concerts, theater productions, and television studios.
Ayrton is now a brand of Golden Sea(Guangzhou Haoyang Electronic Co.,Ltd).
PR Lighting
Headquarters: Guangzhou, China
Based in China, PR Lighting has been exporting their extensive range of moving head lights worldwide, known for their innovativeness and affordability, catering to both high-end and budget-conscious markets.
Acme
Headquarters: Guanghzhou, China
Acme is a well-respected manufacturer based in China. They produce a wide range of stage lighting, with moving head lights that are popular for their innovative designs and reliable performance. Acme has been expanding its reach in international markets by providing competitively priced yet high-quality lighting solutions.
Summary
These manufacturers lead the industry not only through their outstanding product offerings but also through their continual innovation and dedication to developing technology that pushes the boundaries of what moving head lights can achieve. When choosing a moving head light, consider the specific needs of the production, venue size, desired effects, and your budget to select the most appropriate model and manufacturer. Each listed brand offers unique advantages that cater to professional lighting designers’ varying demands and artistic visions.
