AB 250W 20k bulbs vs. pheonix 250w 14k

[kasha]

I recently decided to try out the former to enhance my colors. I put in one AB 20k and left in the older pheonix bulb. I was surprised to find that they produce light that looks the same to my eye. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[jackson6745]

I thought AB 20k looked more purple than the phoenix 14k.
Not all bulbs are actually the advertised kelvin. I have a coralvue 20k that looks more like a 12k. The phoenix 14k looks like a 20k IMO. The XM 20k has a dim blue appearance while the helios 20k and ab20k look identical to me (purple hue). Which ballast and tank size will make a difference in appearance as well.:splitspin

 

[greggnyce]

The pheonix 14k looks whiter if you run it on an icecap ballast.

 

[ecvernon]

i am curious also but with different bulbs
i have a 2x150 DE watt outer orbit pro
i had 1 radium 20k bulb and one 14k pheonix bulb
they both looked the same. the pheonix was more blue than the radium