Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2 3D gaming monitor review: Bleeding edge tech with solid performance

The Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2 is a 27-inch 4K gaming monitor with glasses-free 3D, 160 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and wide gamut color.

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Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2 3D
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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2 3D
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The PSV27-2 is a very bright monitor, but so are its competitors, which are all IPS panels. Its direct competitor, the Samsung 3D G9, is slightly brighter, but not enough to make that a deciding factor. 447 nits is more than enough output for any indoor environment. The PSV27-2 takes third place in the black level contest, giving it a class-average contrast ratio of 1,025.2:1.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2 3D
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Contrast takes a slight hit from calibration, but that is true of the other screens too, so the PSV27-2 moves up to first place. In practice, you’ll have a hard time telling these monitors apart, though the Asus’ deepest blacks will look a tad grayer.

The PSV27-2 holds onto first in the ANSI test with an excellent score of 947.6:1. Among IPS screens, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Test Takeaway: I can’t wait for glasses-free 3D to come to an OLED monitor. But until that day comes, the PSV27-2 will serve up plenty of dynamic range for a bright, saturated and textured image. It compares well with its competition, 2D and 3D alike.

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Christian Eberle
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.