There are a ton of options for LED accessories on the market today, and whether you are shopping for halos or LED strips, there are so many different kinds from so many different manufacturers that it can be pretty hard to know what really separates one from the next. Today we are digging into the all-new Morimoto XSB LED halos and flexible strips, a lineup built around what is called hybrid LED technology. We tested this setup on the bench, walked through the wiring, and want to break down exactly what makes it different, so you can decide if it belongs in your next build.
What XSB Means and Why Hybrid Technology Matters
First things first, XSB is short for Switchback. That name refers to the setup’s ability to run white as a normal light and then switch over to amber for turn signal duty, but we will get to that party trick a little later. Before we explain what hybrid technology is in terms of LEDs, it helps to give a bit of background on the more traditional terminology you will run into when shopping for angel eye halos and headlight strips.
SMD: Reliable but Spotty
The first term is SMD, which is short for surface mounted diodes. SMD has been around in the automotive aftermarket for a long time, especially for halos and LED strips, and it is still widely used today. It is a very mature technology and generally pretty reliable. The biggest downside with SMD is that it is pretty spotty. When you look at it, it is not an even bar of light. You can see the individual diodes, especially up close, so in the end it is not really that good looking in our opinion.
COB: Smooth but Less Reliable
The second term is COB, which is short for chip on board. COB is a little bit newer, and it often results in a much smoother light. You cannot really see any of the spottiness in it like you would with SMD. The major downside is that it is not really that reliable. The reason is that the chips on the board are tied together with very, very thin strands of wire, and those strands can break during the heating cycles between hot and cold, especially inside a headlight. So with COB, the big disadvantage is that after time inside a headlight you might end up with some dark spots here and there.
Hybrid: The Best of Both Worlds
That brings us back to hybrid LED, which is what is used in the XSB setup. Hybrid merges the best of both worlds between SMD and COB. These actually use SMD chips, but you do not get any of that spottiness. They put out very even light across the whole face, just like you would see with COB, but they lose the negative unreliability that COB brings. What gives them this look is a special phosphorus coating that sits over all of the micro LED chips on the face of each ring or strip. That coating basically diffuses all of the light emitted from the LEDs on the board, and that is what gives it the super uniform glow.
The Halos: Sizes and Integrated Mounting Tabs
The XSB lineup includes both halos, which are the round rings, and flexible strips. Starting with the halos, they are available in sizes from 60mm through 140mm in diameter, so there is a wide range to fit different projector bezels and custom housings. One of the coolest features on these halos is that they have little integrated mounting points all along the edge, unlike any other halos we have seen on the market.
These integrated mounting points make custom installs (and pretty much every halo install is a custom install) a lot easier to perform, and a lot more cleanly too. You do not have to wrap wire around the front face of the halo, which can add to reliability problems over time. Those little mounting tabs make it super convenient during installation, and if you want to see the retail listing you can check out the Profile Pivot Switchback Angel Eye Halos to compare sizes. Morimoto also details the family on the Profile Pivot halos on Morimoto’s site if you want more manufacturer background.
The Flexible Strips: Near-Infinite Flexibility
The strips, on the other hand, are extremely flexible. We would go so far as to call them basically infinitely flexible. They are built on a ribbonizer design that would sit inside your headlight, allowing them to bend and wrap around contours that a rigid strip simply could not handle.
These strips are available in lengths of 3 inches, 6 inches, 18 inches, and 24 inches, so there is a pretty wide variety to work with depending on the accent you are trying to create. If you are shopping specifically for the strip version, the switchback LED headlight strips listing covers the flexible options. You can also see the sequential switchback strips at Headlight Revolution if you want another look at how these products are presented.
Wiring and the Switchback Function
The wiring for the XSB setup is really pretty simple. There is an inline voltage regulator that controls the power delivery to the ring, making sure it is being regulated properly depending on the size, but it also contains the switchback driver. That switchback driver is one of the coolest features of the whole setup.
Under normal conditions, the halo or strip runs white. To activate the switchback function, tap the yellow input wire into your blinker circuit. Once that circuit goes hot, the white light shuts off and the amber light begins blinking. After you finish signaling, the white light automatically comes back on. Both products work the same way, giving you consistent switchback behavior across the halos and strips.
Why We Like the XSB Lineup
As you can see, the XSB setup is pretty much about as modern as it gets. You get super reliable hardware, great looking uniform light thanks to the hybrid phosphorus coating, a wide variety of sizes across both halos and strips, and a genuinely useful switchback function baked right into the driver. On top of all that, it is quite affordable too, which is not always the case with modern accent lighting.
If you are planning a build and want to browse everything together, take a look at the full switchback halo and strip lineup. And if you are still weighing whether the deeper dive into a full retrofit makes sense for you, our guide on why a projector retrofit is worth it pairs nicely with these accent components, since halos and strips look their best framing a properly retrofitted projector.
Whether you are going for a clean daytime running light look, an amber turn signal that actually stands out, or a fully custom headlight interior, the Morimoto XSB LED halos and flexible strips give you a strong foundation that balances looks and long-term reliability. We think the hybrid approach is the right direction for accent lighting, and having tested and installed these ourselves, they earn a spot on our recommended list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does XSB stand for in the Morimoto XSB lineup?
XSB stands for Switchback, referring to the setup’s ability to run white as a normal light and switch to amber for turn signal function.
What is hybrid LED technology in the Morimoto XSB halos and strips?
Hybrid technology uses SMD chips covered with a special phosphorus coating that diffuses the light, giving the even, uniform look of chip on board (COB) lighting while keeping the reliability of SMD.
What sizes are the Morimoto XSB halo rings available in?
The halo rings are available in diameters ranging from 60mm through 140mm.
What lengths do the Morimoto XSB flexible LED strips come in?
The flexible strips are available in 3 inch, 6 inch, 18 inch, and 24 inch lengths and are built on a ribbonizer for near infinite flexibility.
How does the switchback wiring work on the XSB halos and strips?
An inline voltage regulator controls power delivery and contains the switchback driver. Tapping the yellow input wire into the vehicle’s blinker circuit turns off the white light and blinks amber, then automatically returns to white when the blinker signal ends.
Meet the Experts Behind The Retrofit Source
Tyler Jordan – Technical Writer
Tyler works directly with the TRS product R&D team, bringing over a decade of automotive aftermarket lighting experience to every article. An avid enthusiast with hundreds of personal installations under his belt, his content is built on hands-on knowledge from the workbench, not spec sheets.
Caleb Morgan – Marketing Manager
Caleb brings over a decade of automotive lighting industry experience and works with TRS customers daily on the front lines. With hundreds of personal lighting installations and a direct feedback loop from real buyers, his content addresses the questions and problems that actually matter.
