ChamSys MagicQ MQ250M Stadium Review: Specs, Rivals, Verdict

The MagicQ MQ250M Stadium sits in the middle of ChamSys’s current lineup: far more capable than the compact MQ70, far lighter and cheaper than the flagship MQ500M+ Stadium. This review is an analysis based on ChamSys’s published specifications and user feedback, aimed at helping you decide whether it’s the right desk for your work.

ChamSys MQ250M at a glance

ChamSys has belonged to Chauvet since March 2017, but MagicQ remains its own ecosystem, with one operating system running across the QuickQ range, the MQ50, MQ70, MQ250M and MQ500M+. The MQ250M is part of the Stadium family; there is no “MQ250M Compact” model, despite what some listings suggest.

• Universes: 64 direct from the console, with a 128-universe upgrade option
• Outputs: 4 direct DMX outputs, 4 network ports for Art-Net, sACN and Pathport
• Surface: 10 fully motorized fader playbacks, 10 encoder playbacks, dual 100 mm manual crossfaders, 8 attribute encoders
• Screens: 15-inch HD multitouch main display plus a dedicated 5-inch encoder display, and one DisplayPort for an external monitor
• Extras: built-in media server, MIDI and timecode I/O, Wi-Fi for the remote app, built-in UPS
• Weight: 13 kg (28.7 lb) without case

Who the MQ250M is for

At 13 kg, the MQ250M stays portable, yet it offers enough output for most concert and festival rigs. Sixty-four universes covers a large moving-light rig with room to spare, and the 128-universe option leaves headroom for pixel-heavy LED designs. If you’re unsure how many you need, our guide on how many DMX universes you need walks through the math.

Typical users include:

• Touring LDs who want a full MagicQ surface without a 30 kg-plus desk
• Production companies building rental stock around a single operating system
• Venues and houses of worship that outgrew a QuickQ or MQ50
• Operators who busk: 20 playbacks, dedicated crossfaders and a physical encoder screen make live playback fast

The built-in UPS is worth pointing out. On a festival stage with questionable power, a desk that keeps running through a brief dropout is a real asset.

MQ250M vs MQ70 vs MQ500M+

The obvious comparisons are the step down and the step up in the same family.

	MQ70	MQ250M Stadium	MQ500M+ Stadium
Direct universes	24 (expandable to 48)	64 (expandable to 128)	400
Playbacks	10	10 motorized + 10 encoder	15 motorized faders
Built-in screens	10.1″	15″ + 5″	2 x 15″ touch
Weight	7 kg	13 kg	32 kg
Thomann France (09/2026)	about €8,999	about €19,379	about €35,099

Prices are Thomann France street prices including VAT, checked in September 2026; US dealer pricing differs, so ask for a quote.

Versus the MQ70

The MQ70 is a very capable compact desk: 24 universes (48 with an upgrade), a single 10.1-inch screen, four DMX ports and Wi-Fi for MagicQ Remote, all in 7 kg. What it lacks is the dedicated encoder screen, the bigger main display, the encoder playbacks and the MQ250M’s output headroom. If you mostly run pre-programmed shows in one venue, the MQ70 is enough. If you busk, change pages constantly, or need more than 48 universes, the MQ250M earns its price difference. Our ChamSys MagicQ review covers the software that all these desks share.

Versus the MQ500M+

The MQ500M+ Stadium replaced the MQ500M as ChamSys’s flagship. It jumps to 400 direct universes, 15 motorized faders, two 15-inch touchscreens and an integrated four-port network switch. It also weighs 32 kg and costs about 80% more at Thomann France. It makes sense for large tours and TV studios; for most mid-size productions the MQ250M delivers the same programming experience with fewer faders. The original MQ500M is now legacy and should only be considered on the used market.

The free MagicQ PC advantage

One of ChamSys’s strongest arguments is that MagicQ PC/Mac is free and, even without ChamSys hardware, runs full programming and playback with 64 universes of Art-Net or sACN output. Some remote and automation features are locked in that mode, but you can build your entire show at home, then load the file on an MQ250M at the venue. Shows from QuickQ consoles also load into MagicQ, which gives smaller venues a clear upgrade path.

That free-software model is also why ChamSys is often compared to Obsidian Onyx; see Onyx vs ChamSys for that match-up.

Things to consider

• Screen space: one 15-inch touch plus the 5-inch encoder display is fine for most shows, but many operators add an external monitor via the DisplayPort.
• Fader count: 10 motorized faders plus 10 encoder playbacks is generous, but if you want 15 physical faders you’ll need the MQ500M+ or a wing.
• Rider acceptance: ChamSys is common on riders, but on the largest international tours grandMA3 remains the default request. Our grandMA2 vs grandMA3 guide explains that ecosystem.

See all Le Faisceau ratings →

Verdict

The ChamSys MQ250M Stadium is the sweet spot in the MagicQ range: 64 universes out of the box, 128 as an option, motorized faders, dual screens, a UPS and a 13 kg footprint, for a little over half the price of the flagship. Choose the MQ70 if budget and weight come first, the MQ500M+ if you need hundreds of universes. For everyone in between, the MQ250M is the ChamSys to shortlist, and the free MagicQ PC lets you learn it before you spend a cent.

Frequently asked questions

How many universes does the ChamSys MQ250M have?

It outputs 64 universes directly from the console, with an upgrade option to 128 universes. It also has 4 direct DMX outputs and 4 network ports for Art-Net, sACN and Pathport.

Is there an MQ250M Compact?

No. The MQ250M belongs to ChamSys’s Stadium family, and no Compact version is listed on the ChamSys website.

What is the difference between the MQ250M and the MQ500M+?

The MQ500M+ Stadium is the flagship with 400 direct universes, 15 motorized faders and two 15 inch touchscreens at 32 kg. The MQ250M offers 64 universes, 10 motorized faders and a 15 inch plus 5 inch screen at 13 kg.

Can I program an MQ250M show on a laptop?

Yes. MagicQ PC and Mac are free, and without ChamSys hardware they allow full programming and playback with 64 universes of Art-Net or sACN output, with some remote features locked.

Where to buy : ChamSys MagicQ MQ250M

Retailer	Why
Music Store	Competitive price, European stock, fast delivery	Check price at Music Store →
Amazon	Fast shipping, used and renewed units	See on Amazon →

Affiliate links: the price is the same for you, the commission funds our tests. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sources — ChamSys – MagicQ MQ250M Stadium Console, ChamSys – MagicQ MQ500M+ Stadium Console, ChamSys – MagicQ MQ70 Compact Console, ChamSys – MagicQ PC manual, Thomann France – ChamSys MagicQ MQ250M.