The professional lighting industry witnessed a significant technological leap at the LEAT Con 2026 trade fair, where Roxx officially introduced two major additions to its product portfolio: the Cluster Big Eye and the Cluster M2. Occupying a prominent position at Stand A1-C05 in Hall A1, the manufacturer utilized the international platform to showcase these world premieres, emphasizing their integration into the established Roxx Cluster ecosystem. This modular family of fixtures is characterized by its tool-free connection system, allowing lighting designers to assemble horizontal and vertical structures that appear nearly seamless. The launch marks a strategic expansion for Roxx, targeting both the high-output blinder market and the specialized niche of high-speed scanner technology, all while maintaining a commitment to IP66-rated durability for outdoor applications.
Technical Innovation in High-Output Blinders: The Cluster Big Eye
The Cluster Big Eye represents a sophisticated evolution of the traditional stage blinder, designed to serve as both a high-intensity luminaire and a structural element of stage design. Moving beyond the limitations of classic tungsten fixtures, the Big Eye incorporates a massive 3,000-watt RGBA+WW LED engine. This power plant is capable of delivering an output exceeding 80,000 lumens, ensuring that the fixture can compete with the highest ambient light levels found in modern stadium and festival environments.
A primary design objective for the Big Eye was the preservation of the "DWE look"—the warm, characteristic glow associated with traditional incandescent blinders—while providing the benefits of modern LED technology. The RGBA+WW (Red, Green, Blue, Amber + Warm White) configuration allows for precise color temperature control and dimming curves that mimic the thermal lag of tungsten filaments. However, the Big Eye extends its utility by surrounding the central LED unit with 48 individually controllable 10-watt RGBA pixels. This dual-layer approach allows lighting directors to use the fixture as a traditional blinder, an animated graphic display, or a vibrant backlight. The pixel ring and the main light source can operate independently or in tandem, offering a level of versatility previously unavailable in single-cell blinder units.
The mechanical flexibility of the Big Eye is a cornerstone of the "Shape it your way" philosophy. The fixture features an "Easy-Click" mechanism, enabling technicians to remove the unit from its Cluster frame without tools. Once detached, it can function as a standalone fixture mounted on a rig, a tripod, or used as a floor light. To further customize the visual output, Roxx offers a variety of optical accessories, including a clear front, a 34-degree Fresnel lens, and a 56-degree DWE lens. For more specialized aesthetic requirements, the system supports a "Signature Star" attachment, connectors, a retro yoke, and four-way barn doors, making it a comprehensive tool for both broadcast and live concert settings.
The Return of the High-Speed Scanner: The Cluster M2
In a move that signals a resurgence of scanner technology in professional lighting, Roxx introduced the Cluster M2. While moving heads have dominated the market for decades, the M2 highlights the inherent advantages of mirror-based systems: speed and agility. By moving a lightweight mirror rather than the entire mass of the fixture body, the M2 achieves rapid direction changes and high-frequency chases that are physically impossible for moving heads to replicate. The fixture offers a 150-degree pan and 40-degree tilt range, specifically optimized for rhythmic, high-energy light shows.
At the heart of the Cluster M2 is a 400-watt cold-white LED engine. This source produces an illumination intensity of over 45,000 Lux at a distance of five meters. The optical system is further enhanced by an 8:1 zoom range, allowing the beam to transition from a concentrated 2-degree needle beam to a 16-degree projection. This range makes the M2 suitable for both mid-air beam effects and sharp pattern projections. The internal effects package is comprehensive, featuring nine rotating and fourteen static gobos, complemented by an 8-facet circular prism and a 4-facet linear prism.
Perhaps the most significant technical advancement in the M2 is the patent-pending Roxx DeepCMY™ color mixing system. Traditional CMY (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) systems often struggle to produce deep, saturated reds and magentas without significant loss of light output or color accuracy. The DeepCMY™ system was engineered to bridge this gap, providing a rich, powerful red and a highly saturated magenta that maintain intensity across the dimming range. This system is supplemented by a linear CTO (Color Temperature Orange) filter and a color wheel with nine dichroic colors, allowing the M2 to produce everything from delicate pastels for theatrical applications to the aggressive, saturated tones required for electronic dance music productions.
Integration and Modularity: The Cluster Ecosystem Philosophy
Both the Big Eye and the M2 are fully integrated into the Roxx Cluster system, which has become a hallmark of the brand’s engineering approach. The "Cluster" concept addresses a common pain point in event production: the time-consuming process of rigging and aligning multiple fixtures to create a unified array. Through a specialized interlocking frame system, these fixtures can be joined together to form large-scale light walls or intricate geometric shapes. Because the connection is tool-free, setup and strike times are significantly reduced, providing a clear economic advantage for rental companies and production houses.
Furthermore, the IP66 rating of both new products ensures that the modular arrays can be used in any environment, from indoor studios to rain-soaked outdoor festival stages. This weatherproofing does not come at the expense of aesthetics or weight; the fixtures remain compact enough for versatile deployment. The ability to mix different types of fixtures—such as blinders, scanners, and washes—within the same structural frame allows for the creation of multi-functional lighting "monoliths" that can handle various roles within a single show.
Event Context and Market Chronology
The debut at LEAT Con 2026 (Live Entertainment and Technology Convention) comes at a time when the industry is demanding more sustainable and multi-functional equipment. As energy costs and logistical complexities rise, the transition from power-hungry, heavy traditional fixtures to efficient, modular LED systems has accelerated. Roxx’s timing with these world premieres suggests a strategic move to capture the replacement market for aging tungsten inventory and first-generation LED blinders.
The chronology of the Roxx Cluster series shows a steady progression toward higher output and specialized optics. Starting with basic wash and blinder units, the addition of the Big Eye and the M2 scanner indicates a maturing product line that now covers the majority of high-impact lighting needs. Industry analysts at the event noted that the reintroduction of the scanner format, modernized with LED and advanced CMY mixing, fills a void for lighting designers who have missed the "snap" and instantaneous response of mirror-based effects.
Technical Specifications and Performance Data
For professionals evaluating the integration of these fixtures into their inventories, the performance data provided by Roxx at LEAT Con 2026 offers a clear picture of their capabilities:
Cluster Big Eye:
- Engine: 3,000W RGBA+WW LED
- Luminous Flux: >80,000 lm
- Pixel Mapping: 48 x 10W RGBA pixels
- Protection Class: IP66
- Weight/Form Factor: Optimized for Cluster modular frames; Easy-Click standalone mode.
- Optical Options: Clear, Fresnel (34°), DWE (56°).
Cluster M2:
- Engine: 400W Cold-White LED
- Intensity: >45,000 Lux @ 5m
- Zoom: 8:1 (2° to 16°)
- Movement: 150° Pan / 40° Tilt (High-speed mirror)
- Color Mixing: DeepCMY™ (Patent Pending) + Linear CTO + 9-color wheel
- Effects: 9 rotating gobos, 14 static gobos, 8-facet circular & 4-facet linear prisms.
- Protection Class: IP66
Industry Implications and Professional Feedback
The reaction from lighting designers and production managers at Hall A1 was focused on the practical applications of the DeepCMY™ system and the modularity of the Big Eye. Designers working in the television sector highlighted the Big Eye’s circular front and pixel-mapping capabilities as ideal for "eye candy" shots and camera-facing backgrounds where flicker-free operation and color consistency are paramount.
The M2 scanner, meanwhile, is being viewed as a specialized tool for high-tempo shows. Rental house representatives noted that the IP66 rating for a scanner is a rare feature, as the internal moving parts of traditional scanners were often difficult to seal effectively. By achieving this rating, Roxx has expanded the scanner’s playground to include outdoor festivals where dust and moisture previously posed significant maintenance risks.
From a broader market perspective, the introduction of these fixtures reinforces the trend toward "hybridization"—where a single fixture must perform multiple roles. The Big Eye is not just a blinder; it is a wash light, a strobe, and a low-resolution video surface. The M2 is not just a beam effect; it is a precision projection tool and a high-speed rhythmic instrument. This multi-functionality allows production companies to achieve more complex looks with fewer fixtures, reducing transportation volume and power consumption.
As LEAT Con 2026 continues, the industry will look toward how these fixtures perform in real-world touring environments. However, based on the technical specifications and the modular flexibility demonstrated at the stand, Roxx has positioned the Cluster Big Eye and Cluster M2 as formidable contenders in the next generation of professional stage lighting. The combination of high-output LED technology, innovative color mixing, and robust mechanical design suggests that these world premieres will soon become staples on equipment lists for major international productions.
