Korean AH-IPS 1440p monitors?

[jensandersen]

So I will be buying a new monitor this month (atm I am working on a 23" Apple Cinema Display that is around 5 years old by now and my eyes are hurting...).

 

I can't afford the high(er) end Dells, NECs or Eizos, so I have been doing some research regarding the 27" Korean monitors on eBay.

 

So far I have narrowed it down to either:

Crossover 27QW

Qnix/X-star 2710

They seem to be using the same panel (AH-IPS) as high(er) end models from the above mentioned companies, but for a much better price. I know its a bit of a risk, but there seem to be pretty good reviews of both Korean brands online, but most are related to gaming. Prices range from 280-400$ based on model type.

 

There was a thread last week that turned in to a pretty high level of tech talk between folks as Jeff, Juraj etc and most of the info I have no idea what to do with

( http://forums.cgarchitect.com/77171-colour-differences-between-different-programs-help-needed.html ), so I guess my questions is:

 

1. Do any of you guys have any experience with these Korean monitors?

2. Where is the limit (within this budget) for what a hobbyist like myself really need in a monitor? Should I care for wide gammut, 10bit etc. It will be used to improve my portfolio work and hopefully some freelance work later on so I see it as an investment for the home studio.

 

Cheers.

[RyderSK]

While it's identical panel, just in lower grade class, the body and everything else is worse. The reviews are positive for what they're used..just regular media/gaming.

 

Pros:

 

Slight price benefit these days ? If you want zero pixel guarantee from seller it's often 300+ euro. Compared to 450+ for Dell 2713HM ?

 

Cons:

 

Worse build-Ugly, cheap body often without any vertical adaptability, let alone swivel/rotation/etc..

No dead pixel guarantee unless you pay and the buyer is serious

It's much harder to smuggle into EU than into US, you still run big chance you will pay VAT+Import, equaling your super price back

Worse coating:Often glossy or still cheaply gnarly, not comparable to modern day semi-matte employed by Dell these days for example, it would be like buying older Dells (

Worse connectivity- Often just single DVI-D

Warranty...what..with who ?

 

Non of these are wide gamut. That's not issue though.

 

If you really find 500+/- euro to be high for AH-IPS WQHD panels, look at the newer AH-PVA panels on market. Not as precise color wise, but beautiful contrast and blacks, far superior to even the best TN panels. These move within 300-500 euro territory, depending on size (27-32" !!)

Edited November 7, 2014 by RyderSK

[Dimitris Tolios]

Dell U2713HM can be had for less than €500 any day.

Going 400ish with a Korean model, is not that wise.

 

 

€250 or so would make it an ok deal, but again those that are that cheap tend to be cheaply made to the extend that it actually shows: bezels are cheap and fragile, so are bases that don't inspire any confidence, rock left and right and have zero adjustability - as if those were designed to be fixed TV sets and not desktop monitors.

 

 

Some ok models find their way in large US retailers (monoprice, microcenter) in the $300ish range that would classify them also as an ok budget option. If only those had VESA mounts to replace those horrible (almost always the case) mounts, and I would "buy" the intent of getting 2x cheap Korean-for-Korean vs. 1x Korean-with-US/EU-like built quality (all are LG panels = Korean @ heart ).

 

 

But for something that will serve you 5 or more years, scrutinizing €100 is not that good of a proposition. It is better to buy something you will enjoy definitely worth this kind of money for that period of time, even better if you can return if doesn't satisfy you or if it broke.

[jensandersen]

Valid points, thanks guys.

I guess the "M" in the Dell 2713HM scared me into thinking it was a subpar product (panel wise) to the Korean ones I mentioned. Can't remember where I saw that claim.

 

I found a local guy selling his 1 year old Crossover 27Q for 165€, so if there is no Dell 2713HM on sale when "Black Friday" hits the webshops this month, I might just take his offer.

If not it will probably be a 2713HM anyways. The results I got from my search on the AH-PVA panels alternative doesn't seem to be worth the ~100€ saved.

 

Juraj, I remember reading you had the 2713HM before you upgraded. How was the factory calibration? I don't know if I can justify also getting a hardware based calibration tool at the moment. Will a custom ICC profile suffice?

[RyderSK]

Juraj, I remember reading you had the 2713HM before you upgraded. How was the factory calibration? I don't know if I can justify also getting a hardware based calibration tool at the moment. Will a custom ICC profile suffice?

 

Not before, Veronika still uses 2x U2713HM. I use 2x U3014 . I also have U2414, and had old but gold U2410 and U2711 that still goes strong and my brother uses it.,

 

Factory calibration on 3014 is absolutely superb, and even comes with certificate :- ) TFT Central review confirms this.

2713HM is more than OK as well ! I mean it's not high-end monitor by any means but it's fine, looks good. The factory calibration (which refers in this model only to "sRGB" mode in OSD) is still within very reasonable limits (the review at end of my post calls it "very pleasing" ) and far above the competition (minus Asus PA279Q, being the best 27" on market almost, and obviously, the top of the line NECs,EIZOs.... ).

 

Hardware calibration=/= Using device to calibrate ! 2713HM is not high-end panel and therefore does not feature hardware calibration, which means storing the calibrated 3DLUT profile in panel itself. It's still calibrated using X-Rite i1Display Pro but only inside OS(Windows in your case). I wouldn't say you need to do it at all, some people are just obssesed with it and I believe actually do more harm by calibrating when they don't understand it fully. The only time I calibrate it (once a year..) I call a professional who does just that and don't pretend to play expert myself.

 

You can download calibrated LUT from someone else (like in the TFT central), but it was calibrated using different unit than yours, so the result might not be as optimal.

 

Everything you need to know about the panel is here, and here only (and never follow any other source, even this forum...)

 

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2713hm.htm

 

 

The crossover you link for 165 euro is same LG panel from DellU2711/AppleCinema 27", but being glossy which itself is issue for professional use imho (like Apple, but without tempered glass, so slightly less reflective, and not as pretty). It's worse than 2713, doesn't come calibrated (you will have to do this) but has ok build (does have height adjustments and also pivot strangely). You should probably check for dead pixels.

 

Well, the call is yours, 165 is 165 euro, it's steal. Still, it's cheap, and older monitor, that you're buying used. But it again depends how crucially you need it, but it's not the best choice.

Edited November 8, 2014 by RyderSK

[jensandersen]

Thanks again for taking your time Juraj. This was most helpful.

[frog_a_lot]

I use a qnix qx2710 evolution ii.. 27" 1440p screen.

 

As far as Korean monitors go its pretty good, paid $300Aud delivered.. Cant fault it so far.

Apparently they can be overclocked to run at 100-120hz as well.

[alexandriel]

Just get BenQ BL3200 (QHD AHVA). It is a very nice displ if you have 600+ usd.

Good factory calibration, not bad gradients and backlight. Try to look closer to it.