The problem with using an excited phosphorescent material for a light source is that it isn't black-body radiation, but rather conforms to a more coherent spectrum. So florescent lights trying to mimic white light will use several different materials in the coating, each with a different spectral center. The overlapping spectra produce something closer to "white" light.

Cheap bulbs will use 2 or 3 phosphors and produce a very poor, tinted light (sub 90 CRI). At 5 different phosphors florescent bulbs take on a different character and become very high quality light sources (94+ CRI). At 7 (96 CRI), they best everything but the $1500 filtered tungsten halogen-cycle bulbs.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris