Aputure Bi-Color LS 600x Pro Review

The LS 600x Pro is an evolution of the high output LS 600d Pro daylight version. I’m a big fan of bi-color fixtures, and the LS 600x Pro gives you high output and the flexibility of a 2700K to 6500K Variable CCT. I reviewed the LS 600d Pro and found the light to be powerful with an impressive build and output.

Since the output is one huge feature with the 600 series, the LS 600x Pro being bi-color does affect the overall output due to mixing daylight and tungsten diodes to get the desired Kelvin. This is nothing new with bi-color lights and is a trade-off we have to expect. The question is, what do you need more? Flexibility or output?

What’s Included with the LS 600x Pro

LS 600x Pro Kit
LS 600x Pro Lamp Head	1
LS 600x Pro Control Box	1
LS 600 Series Hyper Reflector	1
LS 600 Series 5-Pin Weatherproof Head Cable (7.5m)	1
Neutrik powerCON TRUE1 TOP AC Power Cable (6m)	1
VA-Remote RC1+	1
Lightning Clamp	1
LS 600x Pro Rolling Carrying Case	1

Rolling Case

The rolling case is nice. It has a semi-hard fabric-lined exterior that keeps the case lighter than a hard case but also protective. Part of that protection comes from the interior form-fitting foam pads that the light and controller nestle into. Everything stays in place inside the case.
One downside is there isn’t any room for extra stuff. You could put some clips and gels in the mesh lid pocket, but not much room for anything else. I do think it will protect well, and the inline-type wheels make it easy to get to set.

Build Quality

Just like the LS 600d Pro, the 600x Pro shares that much-improved build quality. The fixture head alone is heavy at 11.84 pounds or 5.37 kilograms.

I like the curved disk-brake yoke design. The single handle is long, so I can get a good grip on it and tighten it down. The fixture can rotate 360° with the reflector attached.

With a heavy build, Aputure included a solid Dual Junior/Baby Pin (28mm/16mm) for mounting. This is an excellent option since it does both, but trust me, you want to have a solid light stands for these fixtures like a combo. The frame is also very rigid with no flex.

Keeping it Cool

• 

• 

With a high-powered COB, the LS 600x Pro requires two fans. One on top and the other on the bottom. These are large fans which is a good thing as they can spin slower and create less noise. I didn’t find the fan noise to be an issue on the fixture. The controller also has a fan, but it is louder and could be an issue in very quiet conditions.

Controler

• 

• 

The controller is a beast but tame when it comes to the menu system and operation. On the front is the main power button, CCT dial, and output dial. Nice and simple.

• 

• 

The 6m Locking Neutrik Power Cable is a nice upgrade, plus it looks great, and the 5-Pin weatherproof head cable at 7.5m in length is also nice and long.

Also on the bottom are DMX input and out and a DC input. On the side is a USB input for updates and an ethernet port for control. The LS 600x Pro can be controlled with Sidus Link and LumenRadio Wireless DMX.

I have one issue: the AC power input is on the bottom of the controller alongside other in/out connections, so if you have a cable plugged in, you have to set the controller on its side instead of standing up. It takes up more room this way, and you can’t see the menu as easily. It does have feet, so it’s not lying flat on the ground.

• 

• 

The included quick-release stand adapter is robust and clamps on the light stand securely, so you have that option.

Effects Presets

Like all lights these days, the LS 600x Pro has nine built-in effects.

• Paparazzi
• Fireworks
• Lightning
• Faulty Bulb
• TV
• Pulsing
• Strobe
• Explosion
• Fire

Power Options

The LS 600x Pro controller has two battery plate options. Either a V-Mount or Gold Mount. It requires quite a bit of power to work at full output. You must use two 26V/18A, 28.8V/16A Batteries. You can use the light at half power with two batteries rated at 14.4V/15A, 26V/8.5A, 28.8V/7.5A.
When batteries are mounted to the controller and plugged into AC, they will automatically start charging. This is great for situations where you can pull the AC out and go.

Another option is a battery block. They are expensive but silent on set compared to a gas generator.

LS 600x Pro Photometrics

• 

• 

The LS 600x Pro ships with a Hyper Reflector that has a tight beam angle. The design of the reflector is to focus the light more and make it intense. As you can see, it does just that compared to the bare bulb.
All tests were done from one meter to the front of the COB with a Sekonic C-700-U Spectromaster color meter.

CCT	Distance	Bare Bulb	With Hyper-Reflector	F10 Fresnel (Flood 45°)	F10 Fresnel (SPOT15°)
2700K	1M	11,000 LUX	40,700 Lux
3200K	1M	13,400 LUX	49,600 Lux
4600K	1M	18,000 LUX	68,500 Lux
5600K	1M	18,600 LUX	68,400 Lux	57,000 Lux	165,000 Lux
6500K	1M	16,200 LUX	59,700 Lux

I like the older version of the reflector that shipped with the LS 300 as it was wider and filled diffusion frames nicely. The new model can create a hot spot if the light is close to the diffusion. If you prefer a wider beam, there are plenty of options, including a reflector from Aputure. Chances are you going to use either a softbox or the Aputure F10 Fresnel.

One thing that is important to mention is the beam intensity changes fairy quickly from the middle with both the reflector and F10 Fresnel. It’s challenging to design a true fresnel for a COB. All my readings are based on the center of the beam. Check out Matts’s review of the F10 Fresnel as he tested the spread and hot spot.

For reference below is the LS 600d mPro and LS 600x Pro output at 5600k.

LS 600d Pro – 5600K ~ 98,500 lux @ 1m with the Hyper-Reflector.
LS 600x Pro – 5600K ~ 68,400 lux @ 1m with the Hyper-Reflector.
A difference of 30,100 Lux. If you want more output and can live with daylight only, the LS 600d is the better option.

Just for fun, below is the output comparison of the LS 300x.

LS 300x – 5500K ~ 17,500 lux @ 1m with the Hyper-Reflector
LS 600x Pro – 5600K ~ 68,400 lux @ 1m with the Hyper-Reflector.
A difference of 50,900 Lux.

CRI

To test the CRI, I used a Sekonic C-700-U Spectromaster color meter. All tests were done from one meter to the front of the COB.

3200K

The average CRI is 97.8, with an extended CRI of 96.71.

5600k

The average CRI is 96.8 with an extended CRI of 95.34

Both kelvin settings have excellent CRI scores.

Kelvin Color Temperature Accuracy

The white balance skews cooler by approximately 200 to 300K reasonably consistently through the CCT range. The RED X is where the color temperature skews toward. The meter is set with each kelvin temp target.
The color also favors a bit of green, between 0.2 and 0.5. I’m a little disappointed by the green push, mainly because I can’t correct it as no correction gel that low exists, so it’s a non-issue for the most part. If it were an RGB fixture, I would be able to add some magenta but not a Bi-color light.

• 

• 

3200K

• 

• 

4600K

• 

• 

5600

• 

• 

6500

• 

• 

While the Kelvin is off, it’s minimal, and I find many fixtures don’t match the specified kelvin temperature perfectly. Being off by 0.2 to 0.5 shouldn’t cause issues, but it’s always good to have a meter to dial it in for the location or when using diffusion as they will also change the color.

Compatible Accessories

For the most part, any Aputure softboxes would work, but I’m not sure if a Light Dome Mini II is a good choice for such a powerful fixture. You could use it in a pinch at a low output no problem, but larger softboxes are going to love this light. The $219 US 34.8″ Aputure Light Dome II and the new $269 US 5″ Aputure Light Dome 150 Softbox are excellent and inexpensive. Any Bowens mount compatible softbox will work great, and the larger the size, the softer the light.

The Aputure F10 Fresnel Attachment $219 US is designed for the fixture, so yes, it is compatible. This adds even more punch to the LS 600x Pro as well as more focus control. The F10 Barndoors $139 US are a good companion if for parenting spill.

The Aputure Spotlight isn’t compatible with the LS 600 Pro fixtures. No updated version for the LS 600 Pro series has been announced.

The included Hyper Reflector does focus the light a lot, but if you want a broader beam, you could get any Bowens mount reflectors available. They are pretty inexpensive a simple way to change the bare beam angle.

Final Thoughts

The LS 600x Pro is a powerful light from Aputure. I always favor bi-color because of the versatility to use them with other fixtures and lighting conditions with the convenience of not using gels. Gels also knock down the output.
I wish the output were the same as the LS 600d Pro, but it’s no surprise that it’s lower due to mixing the diodes for daylight and tungsten to create variable kelvin output. When using gels, you would have to deal with output loss with the 600d Pro, so it’s a toss-up.
The rugged build is excellent and the size being shorter is suitable for tighter spaces.
Another good thing with the LS 600 fixtures is that they can be powered by 14.4V, 26V, and 28.8V batteries and powered at half output when the batteries are not rated for full power. We are getting to the point where V-Mount batteries alone are insufficient to drive these high-powered lights at full power. The control box can accept 48V (15A) DC power via 3-pin XLR, allowing it to be powered with external battery power stations or block batteries.

All around, the Aputure LS 600x Pro is a winner. It’s not inexpensive at $1990 (US) and $2690 (CAN), but if you want bi-color high output with a rugged build and the versatile Bowens mount, it delivers. Throw on the huge 5-foot Aputure Light Dome 150 Softbox, and you get a superb soft source for full-body lighting.

LS 600x Pro Pricing and Availability

The LS 600x Pro retails for $1990 (US) and $2690 (CAN).

Like what we do? Help support us by bookmarking this affiliate link to B&H.