The professional lighting industry witnessed a significant technological leap at LEAT Con 2026, where the German lighting manufacturer Roxx unveiled two groundbreaking additions to its renowned Cluster series. Occupying a prominent position at Stand A1-C05 in Hall A1, the company introduced the Cluster Big Eye and the Cluster M2, marking their world premiere before an audience of international lighting designers, rental house executives, and production managers. These new fixtures represent the latest evolution of the Roxx "Cluster" philosophy, which emphasizes modularity, tool-less integration, and high-performance output across diverse production environments.
The LEAT Con trade fair, which has solidified its reputation as a premier destination for live entertainment and technology, provided the ideal backdrop for these reveals. As the industry moves toward more integrated and weather-resistant solutions, Roxx’s decision to launch IP66-rated, modular fixtures aligns with current market demands for versatility and durability. The Cluster Big Eye and M2 are designed to function as both standalone units and as components of larger, gapless light structures, allowing for unprecedented creative freedom in stage design.
The Cluster Big Eye: A New Dimension in Blinder Technology
The Cluster Big Eye is positioned as more than a traditional blinder; it is a high-impact visual element designed for modern stage sets where the light source itself serves as a piece of the architecture. At the heart of the fixture is a 3,000-watt RGBA+WW LED engine capable of producing over 80,000 lumens. This output ensures that the fixture remains effective even in stadium-scale environments or under high-intensity ambient light, such as outdoor daylight festivals.
A primary design goal for the Big Eye was to replicate the "warmth" and aesthetic appeal of classic tungsten DWE blinders while providing the color flexibility of modern LED technology. The RGBA+WW engine is meticulously calibrated to match the color temperature and dimming curves of the existing Roxx Blinder family, ensuring seamless integration for designers who already utilize the brand’s ecosystem.
Beyond its primary blinding function, the Big Eye features an innovative "eye candy" element: a ring of 48 individually controllable 10-watt RGBA pixels surrounding the central LED unit. This dual-layer approach allows lighting programmers to use the fixture for animated graphics, vibrant backlighting, or independent effect layers. The ability to decouple the main light from the pixel ring—or use them in tandem—provides a toolkit for creating complex, multi-dimensional looks that translate exceptionally well to camera, making it a valuable asset for televised events and high-definition concert broadcasts.
Versatility and Optical Configurations
Under the mantra "Shape it your way," the Cluster Big Eye offers extensive mechanical and optical customization. The fixture can be equipped with various front attachments to alter its beam characteristics and aesthetic profile, including:
- Clear Front: For maximum raw output and a modern look.
- 34° Fresnel Lens: To provide a softer, more controlled beam edge.
- 56° DWE Lens: To mimic the wide, classic spread of traditional audience blinders.
The system is further supported by accessories such as the Signature Star, various connectors, a Retro Yoke for vintage-style mounting, and a four-way barndoor for precise spill control. A critical feature of the Big Eye is the "Easy-Click" system, which allows the fixture to be removed from its Cluster frame without the use of tools. This enables it to be deployed as a standalone unit on a tripod, integrated into a rig, or used as a high-powered floor light. With its IP66 rating, the Big Eye is fully protected against dust and powerful water jets, making it suitable for permanent outdoor installations and demanding touring schedules.
The Cluster M2: The High-Speed Scanner Reimagined
The second major reveal at LEAT Con 2026 was the Cluster M2, a high-performance scanner that challenges the dominance of traditional moving heads in specific applications. While moving heads have become the industry standard, the mechanical limitations of moving a heavy "head" often restrict the speed of pan and tilt movements. The M2 utilizes a lightweight mirror system to achieve speeds and directional changes that are physically impossible for moving head fixtures.
The M2 features a 150° pan and 40° tilt range, allowing for lightning-fast chasers and rhythmic movement patterns. This speed is complemented by a powerful 400-watt Cold White LED engine that generates over 45,000 lux at a distance of five meters. To provide flexibility in beam shaping, Roxx has integrated an 8:1 motorized zoom, covering a range from a tight 2° beam to a 16° projection. This makes the M2 equally capable of creating "mid-air" beam effects and sharp gobo projections.
Innovation in Color: The DeepCMY™ System
Perhaps the most significant technical advancement in the Cluster M2 is the patent-pending DeepCMY™ color mixing system. Traditional CMY (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) systems often struggle to produce highly saturated reds and deep magentas without a significant loss in light output or a shift toward "muddy" tones. The DeepCMY™ system was specifically engineered to overcome these limitations, providing a rich, powerful red and a vibrant magenta that retain their intensity across the dimming range.
This primary mixing system is supplemented by a linear CTO (Color Temperature Orange) for precise white light adjustment and a color wheel featuring nine dichroic colors. This combination allows the M2 to produce everything from subtle pastel shades required for theatrical applications to the saturated "neon" colors demanded by electronic music productions. The fixture also includes a comprehensive effects package, featuring nine rotating gobos, fourteen static gobos, an 8-facet circular prism, and a 4-facet linear prism.
The Cluster Ecosystem and Modular Philosophy
Both the Big Eye and the M2 are fully integrated into the Roxx Cluster ecosystem. This system is designed around a standardized framing and connection mechanism that allows different fixture types to be joined together horizontally and vertically. The result is a "wall of light" effect where individual units appear as a single, continuous structure with almost no gaps between the light sources.
This modularity is a direct response to the logistical challenges faced by touring crews. By utilizing tool-less connection points, technicians can assemble large arrays of lights in a fraction of the time required for traditional rigging. Furthermore, the ability to mix and match different fixtures—such as combining the high-impact blinding of the Big Eye with the rapid beam movements of the M2—gives designers a unified platform for building complex stage sets.
Market Implications and Industry Reaction
Initial reactions from attendees at LEAT Con 2026 suggest that Roxx is successfully tapping into a growing trend toward "hybrid" fixtures that offer both high performance and ease of use. Industry analysts note that the return of the scanner format, as seen in the M2, addresses a specific niche for high-energy shows where speed is more critical than the wide movement range of a moving head.
"The introduction of the Big Eye and M2 demonstrates a clear understanding of the ‘technician-first’ approach," noted one veteran lighting director at the event. "The IP66 rating across the entire line is no longer a luxury but a necessity for modern festivals. When you combine that with the DeepCMY color mixing and the tool-less rigging, you have a product that solves several problems at once."
From a rental perspective, the modularity of the Cluster series provides a high return on investment. Instead of stocking multiple specialized fixtures for different roles, rental houses can offer a versatile system that can be reconfigured for a small corporate event one week and a massive outdoor concert the next.
Chronology of Roxx and the Cluster Series
The debut of these products marks a significant milestone in the timeline of Roxx, a company that has rapidly ascended the ranks of the professional lighting world since its inception.
- 2020-2022: Roxx establishes itself with the initial Cluster Blinder and Strobe series, emphasizing the "DWE" look in an LED format.
- 2023-2025: The company expands its IP66 offerings, focusing on high-output architectural and stage lighting.
- October 2026: The world premiere of the Big Eye and M2 at LEAT Con signifies the brand’s expansion into more complex optical systems (scanners) and multi-layered pixel effects.
Technical Specifications Summary
To understand the scale of these innovations, a review of the core data is essential:
Cluster Big Eye:
- Light Source: 3,000W RGBA+WW LED + 48x 10W RGBA Pixels.
- Brightness: >80,000 Lumens.
- Protection: IP66 (Outdoor Rated).
- Weight/Mounting: Modular Cluster Frame with Easy-Click tool-less removal.
- Key Feature: DWE-matched dimming and color.
Cluster M2:
- Light Source: 400W Cold White LED.
- Illuminance: >45,000 Lux @ 5m.
- Movement: 150° Pan / 40° Tilt (Mirror-based).
- Color Mixing: Patent-pending DeepCMY™ + Linear CTO + 9-color wheel.
- Zoom: 2° to 16° (8:1 ratio).
- Protection: IP66 (Outdoor Rated).
Future Outlook
As LEAT Con 2026 concludes, the focus shifts to the field performance of these units. Roxx has indicated that shipping for the Cluster Big Eye and Cluster M2 will begin in the coming months, with several major 2027 world tours reportedly already specifying the fixtures in their lighting plots.
The broader implication for the industry is a continued move toward modularity. As production budgets and timelines become tighter, the efficiency of the "Cluster" model—where rigging, power, and data are streamlined through a unified mechanical system—is likely to be emulated by other manufacturers. For now, Roxx remains at the forefront of this trend, providing lighting professionals with tools that are as robust as they are creative. With the Big Eye and M2, the company has not just added to its catalog; it has expanded the possibilities of what a modular lighting system can achieve in the modern era of live entertainment.
