The Martin MAC Encore Two lists at $12,899. The B-Stock unit we have in right now is $10,319.20. That's $2,580 sitting on the table, and the obvious question isn't whether to save money—it's whether anything about a second-quality designation on a fixture this complex should give you pause.

The honest answer: it depends on what the defect is, how this fixture is going into service, and whether you're the one maintaining it. Let's work through that.

View the Martin MAC Encore Two in Cardboard Product Page

What the MAC Encore Two Actually Is

First, some grounding on what you're buying. The Martin MAC Encore Two is a professional moving head wash/spot built around a proprietary 760W LED engine producing 21,000 lumens at a stable 5,600K neutral white. That color temperature stability matters in applications where you're mixing fixtures or shooting against camera—it's not just a spec-sheet number.

The fixture also carries a native CRI, TM-30, and TLCI of 90, which climbs to 95 with the Spectrum Enhancement Filter. If your venue does broadcast, live-to-tape, or IMAG work, those numbers are meaningful. If you're purely atmosphere lighting in a nightclub, they matter less—but you're probably not spending $12K on this fixture in that case.

The optical system is built around a 150mm front lens with a 1:10 zoom range (5°–54°). That's a wide operating range for a single fixture: tight enough to key a performer from front-of-house throw distances, wide enough to wash a stage section. Two gobo wheels—7 rotating, 11 static—plus a dual frost system give you shaping and diffusion without additional hardware in the air.

Control runs over DMX, Art-Net, sACN, and Martin P3, so it slots into most existing infrastructure without adapters or workarounds.

Physically, it's substantial. The head measures roughly 23.5" long (596mm), the yoke spans 18.9" (479mm), and the whole unit weighs around 79 lbs (36kg). Plan your rigging accordingly—this is not a fixture you hang with a single generic clamp and walk away from.

What "B-Stock" Actually Means on a Fixture Like This

B-Stock on pro lighting gear is not a uniform category. It can mean anything from a dented shipping carton to a unit that came back from a demo, was opened at a tradeshow, or has a cosmetic scratch on the housing. It can also, occasionally, mean something more significant.

The things that matter on a moving head are different from what matters on, say, a guitar. Here's how we'd sort the defect types:

Defects That Are Fine

• Cosmetic marks on the housing or yoke. Scratches, scuffs, minor paint chips—none of this affects output, control, or reliability. If it's going in the air, no one sees the top of the head anyway.
• Non-original or repackaged cardboard. The "in Cardboard" designation on this unit refers to the standard packaging format. If the box took damage but the fixture didn't, that's irrelevant.
• Missing or incomplete paperwork. Manual is available from Martin. Registration can usually still be completed.

Defects That Warrant a Conversation

• Any mention of optical components. The 150mm front lens, frost panels, or gobo wheels taking physical damage is worth clarifying before purchase—not because it's necessarily a dealbreaker, but because replacement parts on a fixture this new may have lead times.
• Control board or DMX interface issues. These are serviceable, but factor the repair cost into the savings calculation.
• Motor or pan/tilt inconsistency. Moving head mechanics are the core of what you're buying. If the listing notes any movement irregularity, ask specifically what was done to address it.

Check the listing photos and condition notes for the specific unit. If anything is unclear, call us before buying—we'd rather spend ten minutes on the phone than have you receive something that doesn't match your application.

The $2,580 Question: Does the Math Work?

Whether the savings justify the B-Stock designation comes down to how many units you're buying and what role they're playing.

A single MAC Encore Two as a primary key light in a touring rig is a different calculation than four of them as overhead washes in a permanent install. In the touring scenario, one unit going down mid-run is a real problem. In the install, you have redundancy, on-site maintenance access, and no road cases to batter the housing further.

At $2,580 off per unit, a four-fixture purchase represents over $10,000 in savings versus buying new across the board. That's meaningful capital that can go toward a spare unit, a spare parts kit, or simply staying within budget on a larger system build.

For a one-off purchase going into a critical live touring position with no backup fixture: the math still works, but weight it more carefully against the specific defect noted.

This Isn't the Right Buy If...

We'd steer you toward a new unit if any of these apply:

• You need manufacturer warranty coverage from day one, fully intact and unambiguous.
• The fixture is going into a broadcast-critical position where a forced swap mid-production isn't an option and you have no spare.
• The specific B-Stock defect noted on this unit touches anything optical or mechanical—and you don't have a service tech relationship to sort it quickly.
• You're building a matched rig where consistent cosmetic appearance across units matters to your client.

Our Take

The Martin MAC Encore Two B-Stock at $10,319.20 is a serious fixture at a meaningful discount. The MAC Encore Two earns its price at full MAP—21,000 lumens, a 1:10 zoom, broadcast-grade color rendering, and full network control aren't features you find trimmed in at this output class. Getting that capability at $2,580 below MAP on a cosmetic or packaging defect is a straightforward win.

Read the specific defect notes. If it's cosmetic, buy it. If it touches optics or mechanics, ask us first. If you're building out a multi-fixture install, this is almost certainly the smarter path than buying everything new.

View the Martin MAC Encore Two in Cardboard Product Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the MAC Encore Two B-Stock still support Art-Net and sACN control?

Yes. B-Stock designation on this unit refers to cosmetic or packaging condition, not component downgrades. The MAC Encore Two supports DMX, Art-Net, sACN, and Martin P3 control regardless of stock category.

How heavy is the MAC Encore Two, and what rigging do I need?

The fixture weighs around 79 lbs (36kg). It requires rated rigging hardware appropriate for that load—confirm your truss capacity and use a safety cable. Don't hang this on generic clamps without verifying the weight rating on your rigging system.

What's the zoom range on the MAC Encore Two, and does it affect which positions I can use it in?

The fixture covers 5° to 54°—a 1:10 zoom ratio through a 150mm front lens. That range handles most positions from tight key lighting at front-of-house distances to wide wash coverage overhead. It's genuinely versatile, which is part of why this fixture sits at this price point.

Can I boost the color rendering above the native CRI 90?

Yes. The MAC Encore Two's native CRI, TM-30, and TLCI all measure 90. Installing the Spectrum Enhancement Filter raises all three to 95. That's a relevant upgrade for broadcast or camera-facing applications where color accuracy on skin tones matters.