It’s hard to pick the origins of the Mac Quantum Wash. Physically, it’s similarly sized
to a Mac 600. Visually, it kind of looks like a Mac Aura which took all the steroids.
In terms of performance, it’s nothing like either of these…

The basics of the Quantum Wash are as follows: 50x 15W RGBW LED light sources
arranges in four concentric rings, sitting behind an Aura style lens. That’s right –
750W of LED, which is gut loads. Lifespan on the LEDs is specified at 50 000 hours
to >70% brightness. It’s WAY brighter than a Mac 600, especially in saturated
colours. Additional LEDs illuminate the Aura style lens, complete with strobe FX.

The lens assembly itself moves back and forth to provide a 1:5 motorised zoom
range, and it looks to me as though the LED assembly moves in a reciprocating
manner behind it. This would logically provide the same zoom range in half the
movement, and presumably be faster. Fast it certainly is – minimum to maximum
beam happens virtually instantly. Zoom range is controlled by DMX values 0 to 200
from wide to narrow, with values above 201 causing an “overdrive’ effect with a
super hot-spot on the beam. It’s a cool idea.

Mechanically it’s largely standard – 540 and 270 degrees of pan and tilt, with 16-bit
control of this (and dimming / lens rotation) available. It’s RDM capable, software
updates happen via USB, and the control interface is the same as on a Mac Viper.
Very good. The fixture is happy to hang or sit in any orientation, and there’s a tilt
lock to secure its rather sizable head.

The LED elements are arranged in a ring or 20, then a ring of 16, and then paired
rings of 10 and four. These numbers are important, but more on why a bit later.
Each of these can be independently controlled and colour mixed via RGB. Because
the Quantum is factory calibrated to recall specific white CT values, the white LED
channel is hidden. The fixture just generates white in whatever colour temperature
you ask for (there’s a full table in the manual with values from 2 000 to 10 000K).
Conveniently the Mac Aura does the same thing, so you can match them very
easily.

The front lens can be rotated using the ’beam twister” function. Because this only
works with the fixture at narrow zoom, engaging the twister automatically zooms
the fixture to a tight beam. Remember the element numbers? The lens bumps line
up with all the chips at once only at one point in 360 degree rotation. At another
point, they line up with only the outers. At another point only with the mids; and at
yet another only with the centre. This means the beam twister can kind of morph
the tightness of each of these sections into one another – as the centre chips move
to a tight beam the others widen. Sounds weird, but once you see it in action with
different colours on each section it makes way more sense. It’s a very different
optical effect to what we’re used to seeing, and in some ways reminiscent of the
“60s oil wheels.

Finally this – on top of all this colour rich beamy goodness, to me the Mac Quantum
Wash seems well priced. Definitely not cheap, but you definitely get what you pay
for and then some. I’d say it’s good value.

Both Julius and I agree that Martin has really produced an excellent fixture in the
Mac Quantum Wash. The straight out performance as a versatile high output wash
light is nothing short of impressive, but the ultra fast zoom speed and beam twister
really do make it something very special indeed.

Brand: Martin
Model: Mac Quantum Wash
RRP: R80 000 excl VAT (Price correct at time of print and subject to change)
Product info: www.martin.com
Distributor: www. electrosonic.co.za

Electrosonic SA’s Entertainment Lighting Manager, Bruce Schwartz had this to add
about the light: “There are many LED wash lights on the market and some great
effect lights too. But there are very few that can truly combine the two functions
well, they generally excel at on or the other.

“The Mac Quantum Wash is a true professional wash light first and foremost, a real
work horse. In addition to this it is impressive effects light which rounds off a truly
versatile package.’