Beam spread of Cree CR6 vs CR4

11 years ago

I'm considering retrofitting Cree CR4 lights throughout my house. I currently don't have any 4" cans, but I do have a couple of 6" cans, so to test out how these lights look I went to Home Depot and bought the 575 lumen version of the CR6 (ECO-575L). Since the CR4 has the same lumen output as the 575-lumen CR6, I figure this will be a good test. But what about beam spread? I know that 4" lights can sometimes have a narrower spread than 6" as a general rule. But has anyone compared the CR4 against the CR6 specifically? If I'm happy with the CR6 beam spread, will I be happy with the CR4?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

attofarad
11 years ago
See the specs. Note that the CR6 spec covers both the 800L and 575L versions, if you are comparing candlepower. The CR4 is a tiny bit wider, but I doubt that one would notice.

https://www.polar-ray.com/assets/images/specsheets/Cree_CR6.pdf

Here is a link that might be useful: Cree CR4 specification
ccolby
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks. Yes, I did study the beam spread graphs on Cree's site, and they do look similar. But I was hoping to find someone who has seen both and could give me a more subjective judgment.
Related Discussions
Cree CR6 in 10' ceiling
Q
Comments (2)
That is not true, though I understand how one can arrive at that conclusion. 1. A standard A lamp has ~ 800+ lumens output. 2. Placing an A-lamp in a recessed can meant for reflector lamps results in a significant amount of light trapped within the can. 3. Recessed cans with reflector lamps produce a spot light effect. A CR6 has a rated output of 575 lumens which on paper is less than 800+ lumens (A-lamp). However, the positioning of the led emitters results in more light delivered into the room than an A -lamp in a recessed can (as described above). Although I don't have such high ceilings or CR6, my experience with the Cree LR6 and Sylvania RT6 has been that they outperform the standard recessed can outfitted with 15W - 25W CFL bulbs. I've attached a link to an online article about recessed can lighting. Here is a link that might be useful: Comments on recessed lighting
...See More
i love my cr-6's - thank you!
Q
Comments (18)
Thanks... I went to do that today... and whoala! The shelf at my local HD now has them at 24.97 also! Time to finish off the high use rooms in my house! Although, I am a little upset I spent over $500 more than I needed to being an early adopter... installed about 20 of them already over the last year. But at $25, there is now no reason for new construction to use anything else... regular trim and bulb are close in cost now.
...See More
Would lowering an LCD bulb in a recessed can give a better spread
Q
Comments (13)
David, I did try the bulb you recommended and I did not feel it had enough Lumens for my needs in the kitchen so I knew I would not like it in the office. Thank you for caring and trying to help. I may still move the bulbs down a little bit in the light (waiting for electrician to stop by to help me) to see if this would help any. I can't seem to figure out how to get more light in the dining room now as the bulbs surrounding the middle changed to LED Fixture are not where I need the light and if I move them from not being on top of a cabinet, then they are not even in distance from the middle light. I wonder if I sold my townhouse and made the lights not even, if this would cause me problems. I think the following bulb if it was much cheaper would have suited my needs and if it came in an Edison Base. I wish I went with 12 recessed cans instead of 8 recessed cans now. I was given the option but the other electricians said 6 or 8 so I thought 8 would be good. Cree LR6-10L-30K LED Downlight : Polar-Ray.com0 74 degree spread w/1,000 Lumens, 3,000K temp But GU24 Base Type and $109.99 so expensive each bulb- if had the right Edison Base & was less money, this would have been better for me. http://www.polar-ray.com/residential-47/led-recessed-lighting/recessed-led-d ownlights/six-inch-led-downlights/cree-lr6-10l-30k.html Details 3000K (Warm White) Six inch LED downlight 90W Equivalent Light Output: 1000 Lumens Beam Angle: 74 Degrees (approx.) CRI: 90 Base Type: GU24 Base Dimmable to 5% Life: 50,000 Hours Input Power: 11 Watts Input Voltage: 120V Warranty: 10 Years Includes GU24 adapter Damp Rated UL Listed California Title 24 Compliant ENERGY STAR Qualified Here is a link that might be useful: This Cree Bulb would have been better for me but the price is 4.4X as much
...See More
Please check my math re beam spread from CR6?
Q
Comments (6)
This math stuff is way over my head, but looking at the output of my CR6's, there's no sharply defined light circle, or even really a vaguely defined circle. It's more like a simple surface-mounted overhead light - it's brighter underneath than far away, but the brightness is relatively even for at least a 15 foot circle from my less-than-9-foot ceilings, fading slightly as you get further away as it should (since presumably there's either another recessed light starting to take over, or a wall). The light's less focused than with a 55-degree PAR38 reflector bulb, though perhaps less than a cheap blown-glass R40 incandescent. The CR6 does an excellent job of not having any inordinately bright spots under the bulb though - it gives off nice even light. Anyway you can always go to Home Depot and buy one, plug it into a small table lamp or other movable socket, and try it out for yourself (or put it in a can if you already have a 6" recessed fixture somewhere) and see how it looks yourself, and return it if you don't like it.
...See More
ccolby
Original Author
11 years ago
I like your username, by the way.
attofarad
11 years ago
You could kludge up a way to hang a 4" Cree in a 6" can, and see for yourself.
StevenKarl
10 years ago
Hey, ccolby, how did that work you for you? I am still debating whether to put in 4" or 6" Crees in my childs bedroom (8 ceiling, 12 X 13). We like the looks of the 4 but want the power of the 6.
juno_barks
10 years ago
Yes, I would like to hear opinions on 4 inch or 6 inch for my kitchen. Electrician poo-poo'd the 4-inch size to my husband, and want to make sure I don't make a mistake going with the 6 inch.
David
10 years ago
The CR6 and CR4 have very similar performance for a 8' ceiling.

The CR6 had the same output as the CR4 when introduced.

Both already outperform the standard bulb (including CFLs) in a recessed can setup.

The 800 lumen version of the CR6 helps when your ceiling height is >= 10'.

An advantage of the CR6 is that it is easier to install for people with large hands since the enclosing can is ~ 2" larger in diameter.
StevenKarl
10 years ago
I have about a week to decide before my electrician installs the lights. I want a lot of light in the bedroom (leaning toward the 6"). But the 4" look much better (leaning toward the 4").

People are saying that the 4" lights up the room just as much as the 6". Is this true?
juno_barks
10 years ago
And my concern is whether the 4-inch looks just like spotlights, or whether the light spreads.
David
10 years ago
The CR4 does not behave like a spotlight as there is no parabolic reflector to direct the light.

However, since the aperture is 2" smaller than either a LR6 or CR6, the spread will be somewhat less which may / may not be noticeable when the lights are deployed on a 8' ceiling.

The CR and LR series from Cree are constructed in a similar fashion - a mix of different light color LED elements all facing outwards behind a translucent lens which acts as a mixing chamber and reduces the glare.
Tile
10 years ago
I looked at the pdf and don't understand how to interpret the beam spread.

What's the beam spread for 112" high ceilings with CR4?

Beam spread of Cree CR6 vs CR4

Comments (11)

attofarad

ccolby
Original Author

Related Discussions

ccolby
Original Author

attofarad

StevenKarl

juno_barks

David

StevenKarl

juno_barks

David

Tile

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Beam spread of Cree CR6 vs CR4

Comments (11)

ccolbyOriginal Author

Related Discussions

ccolbyOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

ccolby
Original Author

ccolby
Original Author