Cree says new 90-CRI COB LEDs match 80-CRI efficacy

The company says its new XLamp eTone LEDs produce 90-CRI light quality at the same efficacy as standard 80-CRI LEDs, delivering up to 155 lumens per watt at 3,000 K. They are intended for retail, museum, high-end commercial and medical applications, among others where colour quality is critically important.

While 90-CRI LEDs have long been available, their higher light quality has come with a significant penalty in light output and efficacy, compared to those with lower CRI values that tend to distort colours. Cree claims to have addressed both issues by improving efficacy by up to 17% over existing 90-CRI LEDs, without sacrificing colour quality.

Available in ceramic- and metal-based varieties, eTone products share the same mechanical and electrical characteristics of standard LEDs, allowing lighting to be upgraded with minimal redesign effort.

“This COB solution gives us the light quality our customers require and form factors that will drop right into our existing designs, ”says Massimo Parravicini, research and development (R&D) director for Reggiani Lighting.