Florescent light color

[AZGuy]

I've been playing around with "warm" florescent lights to soften the
harshness of the normal commercial florescent tubes. My office has 18
tubes in it (6 three tube fixtures). It's pretty bright. Out of
those 18 tubes I replaced just two of them, one in each of two
different fixtures, with a "warm" (more brownish/yellowish color)
tube. Just having those two tubes our of 18 makes a very noticeable
change in the overall tone of the light color. People often notice it
right away when they come in and say "what's different in here".

Questions - why does this small number of "warm" tubes overwhelm the
"cold" light from the remaining 16 tubes to such a degree? I would
think having all 18 tubes "warm" would be way to much of a good thing.
Why don't they make a tube that's a happy medium between the usually
"cool white" harsh tube and these "warm" ones. I've tried several and
I can't find any middle ground.
--
Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:

"What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the
establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . .
Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
to raise a standing army upon its ruins." -- Debate, U.S. House
of Representatives, August 17, 1789

 

[Jeff Waymouth]

What do the "cold" and "warm" bulbs you are working with, say on them?
If we can identify what you've got, maybe we can help find something
more suitable.

Jeff Waymouth

 

[Victor Roberts]

I've been playing around with "warm" florescent lights to soften the
harshness of the normal commercial florescent tubes. My office has 18
tubes in it (6 three tube fixtures). It's pretty bright. Out of
those 18 tubes I replaced just two of them, one in each of two
different fixtures, with a "warm" (more brownish/yellowish color)
tube. Just having those two tubes our of 18 makes a very noticeable
change in the overall tone of the light color. People often notice it
right away when they come in and say "what's different in here".

Questions - why does this small number of "warm" tubes overwhelm the
"cold" light from the remaining 16 tubes to such a degree?

Because your "cold" lamps do not produce much light at the long
wavelength end of the spectrum. So, adding even some "warm" lamps
provides light at the missing wavelengths.

I would
think having all 18 tubes "warm" would be way to much of a good thing.

Well, that is a matter of personal preference. Obviously, different
people have different ideas about what constitutes good color, hence
the range of color temperatures available on the market.

Why don't they make a tube that's a happy medium between the usually
"cool white" harsh tube and these "warm" ones.

Linear fluorescent lamps usually come in at least three color
temperatures and range of CRI's.

I've tried several and
I can't find any middle ground.

As Jeff said, until we know which lamps you have tried, we don't have
enough information to make a suggestion.