Asus ProArt PA32UCXR Mini LED review: A precision instrument with reference-level color accuracy

32-inch IPS 4K Professional Monitor with HDR, Dolby Vision, wide gamut color, and reference-level image accuracy.

Asus ProArt PA32UCXR Mini LED
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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To verify the PA32UCXR’s factory calibration, I measured the modes that will be most commonly used, Rec.709, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, Display P3 and Rec.2020. At the end of this page, there’s a summary of all the test results for each mode.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

You’ll see in every chart above that the PA32UCXR hits its marks perfectly. Rec.709 defaults to D65 and 2.4 gamma, power function. You can select D50, 55, 65 or 93 color temps and choose a gamma between 1.8 and 2.6. Adobe RGB also hits D65 and defaults to 2.2 gamma. It has no color temp or gamma options. DCI-P3 defaults to the cinema standard with a Theater (D63) color temp, which is very green and 2.6 power gamma. You can select 2.2 gamma and D65 if you want Display P3. Rec.2020 mode defaults to D65 and 2.2 gamma, but you can change the color temp to D50, 55 or 93 and select gamma from 1.8 to 2.6. I noted that no mode included support for BT.1886 gamma.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

I noted slight under-saturation in the Rec.709 chart for red and blue. These are extremely small errors that are almost impossible to spot in actual content. The Adobe RGB, DCI-P3 and Display P3 charts are all on-point. The PA32UCXR comes up slightly short in the Rec.2020 chart but hits every target up to 80% saturation. Measured volume is a hair less than 84%. This is excellent performance.

Grayscale, Gamma and Color Gamut Test Summary

Here are the grayscale, gamma and gamut results in a summary table. Error values are referenced to the Delta E 2000 spec. Gamma range refers to the difference between the highest and lowest value. Gamma Average is the percentage deviation from the standard for each color mode.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0 Grayscale ErrorGamma RangeGamma AverageGamma ActualGamut ErrorGamut Volume
Rec.7091.08dE0.080.42%2.390.92dE90.78%
Adobe RGB1.07dE0.050.42%2.210.57dE96.86%
DCI-P31.18dE0.160.42%2.590.87dE94.11%
Display P31.51dE0.161.36%2.170.96dE94.60%
Rec.20201.11dE0.050.42%2.410.94dE83.99%

Test Takeaway: The PA32UCXR is indeed calibrated at the factory. Whatever color mode you select will reference that specification. All color temp, gamma and gamut labels are true to industry standards. If any monitor can be called a true reference tool, the PA32UCXR is it.

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Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

  • NedSmelly
    This is going head-to-head with the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X, which costs around twice the price. It will be interesting to see if ProArt actually makes headway into design houses and studios, because so far the Asus vibe seems to be targeting the value-oriented freelance market.
    Reply