Aputure launches STORM series with five-color BLAIR engine for natural rendering

The STORM series represents an aggressive move into the high-end narrative and commercial sectors where spectral fidelity often dictates the choice between LED and legacy HMI lighting. By prioritizing "true white" through the BLAIR engine, Aputure is addressing the long-standing industry trade-off between output power and skin tone accuracy. This launch signals a broader shift toward specialized light engines that cater to DPs requiring precise ambient light matching on complex sets. As the B2B production market increasingly demands color-critical performance in portable form factors, the industry should monitor how competitors like Nanlite and Godox respond with their own multi-emitter white light variants. Watch for internal benchmark comparisons against the LS 1200d Pro to see if BLAIR becomes Aputure’s primary high-output standard.

The STORM family, led by the flagship STORM 1200x, represents a significant evolution from Aputure’s previous Light Storm (LS) products. Per Newsshooter (September 2024), the STORM 1200x delivers 22,500 lux at 3 meters (5600K) and is roughly 33% brighter than the legacy LS 1200d Pro despite a similar 1440W power draw. This efficiency boost is attributed to the BLAIR chipset, which was developed following Aputure’s acquisition of Prolycht in 2023. The integration of Prolycht’s color science expertise has allowed Aputure to implement full 100% +/- Green control according to ASC MITC standards, a first for fixtures in this power class.

Competition in the B2B lighting sector has intensified as brands move beyond simple bi-color LEDs. According to MacCam (March 2026), the market has consolidated into a 'four-horse race' between ARRI’s premium Spectra engine, Aputure’s BLAIR, and high-output alternatives from Nanlux and Godox. While ARRI remains the standard for top-tier episodic productions, Aputure's STORM line is positioned to capture the mid-to-high portion of the market by offering IP65 weather resistance and 16-bit DMX control at a lower price point than legacy cinematic fixtures. For instance, the STORM 1200x retailed at approximately $2,990 at launch, per Videomaker (September 2024).

Aputure’s strategy involves scaling this tech across various sizes. Beyond the 1200W flagship, the compact STORM 80c (an 80W fixture) utilizes the BLAIR-CG engine to achieve a massive CCT range of 1,800K to 20,000K, according to FilmGear Canada (January 2026). This modular approach, supported by the Sidus Link Pro app ecosystem, indicates Aputure is attempting to lock professional gaffers into a unified, color-consistent hardware stack that spans from small accent lights to heavy-duty key sources.