LED Innovation triumph: Claypaky HY B-EYE K25's groundbreaking journey in lighting technology

In the realm of professional live show lighting, the Claypaky HY B-EYE K25 has made a notable impact, standing out as a high-performance LED moving head fixture. This innovative fixture has found widespread application in spectacle-worthy concert stages and impressive theatre productions globally.

The Emergence of a Star: The Claypaky HY B-EYE K25

The story of the HY B-EYE K25 began more than a decade ago with the introduction of the original Claypaky B-EYE. Even then, the company was a trailblazer in the live lighting industry, offering impressive light output and innovative features such as individual control of each LED and a rotatable front lens. These features enabled breathtaking kaleidoscope projections and impressive visual effects, becoming a mainstay in numerous shows worldwide.

In April 2019, Claypaky unveiled the HY B-EYE, a evolution that was twice as powerful and bright as its predecessor. The industry immediately embraced this further development, and the HY B-EYE K25 and HY B-EYE K15 models have been highly sought-after since their launch.

The Claypaky HY B-EYE K25 is a versatile LED moving head that can serve as a wash, beam, and effect light. Equipped with 37 40-watt RGBW LEDs, it offers remarkable brightness and a vast array of colors. Thanks to its electronic zoom range of 4° to 60°, it is adaptable for both narrow beams and wide wash effects.

Key Attributes of the HY B-EYE K25

Light Source: 37 OSRAM OSTAR Stage II RGBW LEDs, each with 40 watts and a color temperature of 6000 K.
Zoom Range: Electronic zoom from 4° to 60° for versatile application possibilities.
Effects: Rotatable and indexable front lens for various kaleidoscope and beam effects. Virtual gobos and a digital beam shaper (e.g., Ovalizer) enable flexible beam adjustment.
Control: Compatible with DMX, Art-Net, RDM, and Arkaos Kling-Net protocol. The LEDs can be controlled individually, offering intricate effects.
Dimmer and Strobe: Linear electronic dimmer (0-100%) and an adjustable strobe effect with variable speed.
Cooling: Active cooling with quiet operation, ideal for noise-sensitive environments.
Weight: Approximately 27.5 kg.

The HY B-EYE K25 excels particularly in applications requiring high brightness and versatile effects, such as theatres, concert halls, and live events. Its adaptability and performance make it a preferred tool for lighting designers around the world.

Making a Statement with the HY B-EYE K25

The HY B-EYE K25 made a memorable debut in 2019 during the stadium tour of German rock band Rammstein. Lighting designers Ronald Greil and Patrick Woodroffe utilized around 40 of the LED wash lights for aesthetic lighting purposes. Greil was impressed by the fixture's high output and reliability, asserting that its tremendous brightness and flexibility perfectly matched the band's requirements.

In similar fashion, the HY B-EYE K25 was employed at the final of the 10th Russian Night Hockey League National Amateur Teams Hockey Festival in Sochi. The event featured Aleksey Inkov and Aleksey Pavlenko in lighting design and a festive gala.

"The HY B-EYE K25s mounted on the winches were used for various color macros with pixel-perfect accuracy. We utilized the characteristic B-EYE effect when moving the trusses. Due to the large zoom range, we were able to perfectly combine dynamic movement effects with the beams in the matrix."

Another impressive project showcasing the HY B-EYE K25 was the Singapore Bicentennial Celebration, which featured more than 600 Claypaky fixtures, including 262 units of the HY B-EYE K25. Michael Chan and Mac Chan, responsible for the lighting design, were amazed by the fixture's performance.

"The Claypaky K25s were an essential part of the show. Their enormous brightness allowed us to use them as a secondary wash as well."

HY B-EYE K25 Teatro: Quiet and Powerful for theatres

In response to the success of the HY B-EYE series, Claypaky launched a special version in 2020: the HY B-EYE K25 Teatro. This variant was specifically developed for theatres and other venues requiring quiet lighting without compromising intense colors and brightness. Renowned institutions like the Comédie de Genève and the LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura have switched to the quiet Teatro version. The HY B-EYE K25 Teatro proved to be the ideal solution for sensitive live events such as the virtual ARTE Concert Festival.

The HY B-EYE K25 on the Global Stage

The HY B-EYE K25 has become an integral part of high-profile events worldwide, such as Bollywood film productions in India, sophisticated lighting installations at Universal Studios Beijing, and the spectacular Holiday Light Show on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link Bridge in Mumbai.

In 2022, the HY B-EYE K25 played a significant role at the ESC Juniors in Armenia, where a total of 1000 Claypaky moving heads were installed. The fixture also featured prominently in the lighting design for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest and the anniversary tour of the Spanish duo Estopa.

Olympic Glory: Hy B-EYE K25 in Paris 2024

For the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, 350 HY B-EYE K25 luminaires were utilized, providing striking lighting effects during both the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as on the stands of Roland Garros during the games, to emphasize celebratory moments and changes.

The opening ceremony, held outside a stadium for the first time in history, highlighted French culture, followed by the traditional parade of athletes and the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame. The closing ceremony took place in the usual manner at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, signaling the festive conclusion of the Games.

The Vasco Rossi Tour 2023-2024: Impressive Lighting Powered by Hy B-EYE K25

For the Vasco Rossi Tour 2023, lighting designer Giovanni Pinna used 148 Claypaky HY B-EYE K25 fixtures, emphasizing their essential role: "The HY B-EYE K25s were an indispensable part of the lineup. Especially during the first hour of the show, when there was still plenty of daylight, a strong spotlight was essential. Later on, we were able to create impressive effects by using colors." The fixture's impressive power and flexibility impressed both the designer and the audience.

In 2024, Pinna again employed the HY B-EYE K25 and optimized the lighting programming: "We used the same setup as last year, but were able to significantly improve the overall effects." The 90-meter-wide stage with a 1,200-square-meter video surface placed high demands on the lighting concept. Pinna underscored the importance of the penetrating power of the HY B-EYE K25 beams in achieving the desired balance between light and LED wall.

A total of 148 HY B-EYE K25 units were used, with distributing them at various positions above and in front of the stage, as well as on the ground.

"The K25s are exceptional at rendering even deeply saturated colors like red and dark blue. Often, it was the power of the washes that elicited a 'wow' effect."

Claypaky: A Leader in Innovative Lighting Technology

Claypaky is a leading global brand in the professional lighting industry, consistently setting new standards and developing innovative technologies. Claypaky products can be found in theatres, television programs, live events, the fashion world, and trade fairs and exhibitions.

Claypaky has been a constant participant in Prolight + Sound, the leading international trade fair for event technology, for many years. As a regular exhibitor, the company regularly unveils its latest innovations at this event and serves as a trendsetter for the entire industry. For trade visitors, Prolight + Sound offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest advancements firsthand and experience the state-of-the-art products from Claypaky.

The HY B-EYE K25: A Milestone in Show Lighting

The Claypaky HY B-EYE K25 has cemented its place as a milestone in show lighting. Its unique combination of brightness, versatility, and innovative effects has earned it popularity with lighting designers worldwide. Whether at major international events, impressive theatre productions, or spectacular concert tours—the HY B-EYE K25 offers the right solution for every application.

With the continuous development of its products, Claypaky continually demonstrates its role as an innovative pioneer in lighting technology. The HY B-EYE series is just one example of how Claypaky is making a lasting impact on the show lighting industry.

Images courtesy of Claypaki (Rammstein photo: Manfred Vogel).

The HY B-EYE K25 has found widespread application not only in live events and theatres, but also in general-news, entertainment, and sports broadcasts, showcasing its versatility as a high-performance LED moving head fixture.
With its impressive output and innovative features, such as individual control of each RGBW LED and a rotatable front lens, the Claypaky HY B-EYE K25 has become a go-to gadget for sports lighting designers seeking dynamic, visually striking, and versatile lighting solutions.
From sports stadiums to concert halls, the sports industry has embraced the adaptability and performance of the HY B-EYE K25, making it a preferred choice for lighting designers looking to create captivating and memorable events technology, such as the Olympic Games and major sports tournaments.