DJzone DJ Magazine

DJs and clubs now have a more “brilliant” choice than ever when it comes to exciting, affordable lighting effects. American DJ has beefed up the brightness on four of its most popular sound-activated effects – the Topaz, Trance Wheel, Titan and Whirl.

Re-named the Topaz 250, Trance Wheel 250, Titan 250 and Whirl 250, all of these new-generation fixtures now come equipped with – as their name suggests – more powerful 250-watt lamps. This higher wattage means they produce more vibrant, eye-popping colors. With their 250-watt muscle, the fixtures also will provide larger area coverage, allowing them to be used in bigger clubs and venues.

Today’s DJs and clubs are asking for brighter, more powerful lighting effects that don’t cost an arm and a leg

Yet, despite their more radiant, vivid output, the Topaz 250, Trance Wheel 250, Titan 250 and Whirl 250 remain strictly “low-wattage” when it comes to price. Each of the fixtures carries a manufacturers suggested retail price of just $169.95.

“Today’s DJs and clubs are asking for brighter, more powerful lighting effects that don’t cost an arm and a leg,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Cos. “American DJ has met this demand by coming out with 250-watt versions of the our top-selling Topaz, Trance Wheel, Titan and Whirl. Now these fixtures provide more brilliance and coverage than ever, while still remaining highly affordable to working DJs and club owners.”

In addition to their high-intensity 250-watt lamps, the Topaz 250, Trance Wheel 250, Titan 250 and Whirl 250 now have a new design that makes them better able to withstand the rigors of everyday use. All have been given new high-tech molded plastic end covers that protect the case from damage—another feature that caters to the demands of mobile DJs and clubs, said Davies.

Of course, the Topaz 250, Trance Wheel 250, Titan 250 and Whirl 250 still spew out the same great colorful patterns and graphics that made their predecessors so popular. Here is a closer look at each effect:
Topaz 250 -- A sound-activated fixture, the Topaz 250 features a beveled glass wheel that slowly rotates and projects onto a dichroic dish with 7 different colors. The texture of the glass produces the effect of flowing water, which changes colors as it moves to the music.

Trance Wheel 250 – Equipped with a rotating oil wheel that projects through beveled glass, the sound-activated Trance Wheel 250 splashes multi-colored (10 colors plus white) psychedelic patterns on walls, ceilings and floors. With its brighter 250-watt lamp, this ‘60s-style effect gives new meaning to the phrase “flower power”!

Titan 250 – Also using beveled glass to create a “softened” effect, the Titan 250 contains a gobo wheel that rotates through the textured glass and projects patterns onto a multi-colored dichroic dish. Slowly rotating to the beat of the music, it creates patterns in 7 different colors plus white.

Whirl 250 – The sound-activated Whirl 250 projects a rotating 26 mm gobo (20 mm view area) through a 5-color dichroic dish. It now comes with a total of five replaceable gobos, which may be interchanged in the fixture’s one gobo slot, giving the Whirl 250 added excitement and variety – and giving DJs and clubs unbeatable value for their dollar. An easy access door allows quick, hassle-free changing of gobos.

The Topaz 250, Trance Wheel 250, Titan 250 and Whirl 250 all include an effects switch with three different operational modes: sound active, rotating head or still head. Additional features on all four models include: a focusing lens; an easy access door for changing the lamp; and circuit breaker protection, which eliminates the need to change fuses.
Compact and lightweight for easy mobility, each fixture measures 14.5”L x 5.5”W x 7.25”H and weighs 7 lbs. The suggested retail price of each of the fixtures is $169.95.