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I started my color tests in the AW2525HM’s Standard picture mode and found that it was just on the edge of needing calibration. Most users will be satisfied to use the monitor unadjusted. In the Custom Color mode, it’s possible to achieve very accurate results for all color benchmarks.
Grayscale and Gamma Tracking
In the AW2525HM’s first grayscale/gamma chart, you can see a slightly warm tone rising from 40% brightness up to the peak level. This error is minor because green and red are in balance; neither color dominates. All that’s needed is a bit more blue. Gamma tracks perfectly on the 2.2 reference line with no anomalies visible in content.
Calibrating the Custom Color mode delivers perfection with all errors now below 1dE. That is reference-level performance. Gamma now says 2.19 average, but that change is so minuscule that it’s barely visible on the chart, much less in practice. It doesn’t get better than this, even from a pro display.
The sRGB mode is based on a higher 2.4 gamma reference and the AW2525HM is slightly darker than that. Grayscale errors are invisible, so this issue is extremely minor. The monitor is qualified for grading work, but as you’ll see below, the sRGB gamut is slightly undersaturated.
Comparisons
The AW2525HM’s 3.41dE default grayscale value is borderline for calibration. Since the errors create a warm tone, they are more forgivable than a blue or green push, which is easier to spot in content. But with such precision available from calibration, it’s logical to do so. If you use sRGB, it lacks adjustments but runs a solid 1.58dE grayscale error and gamma that’s close to the intended 2.4 value.
Gamma tracking is about as good as it gets with top scores for value range and deviation. A 0.07 gap between low and high numbers is super tight and the 2.19 average means it’s just 0.45% off the reference, which is an excellent result.
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 was impressed by the AW2525HM’s color coverage. No FHD screens in my experience cover as much of the DCI-P3 gamut as this one. Only green comes up slightly short. All points are on or near their targets with just the slightest hue errors in cyan and magenta. With an average of just 1.87dE, you won’t see any issues.
Calibration takes the AW2525HM below the difficult-to-achieve 1dE threshold. Only a few monitors can manage this. Remember that it is the average value of 36 measurements. This is on par with the best professional displays.
The sRGB test result was a bit disappointing as it shows clear undersaturation in red, magenta and green. The AW2525HM certainly has enough color to cover 100% of sRGB. I would still call it qualified for critical applications, but just barely.
Comparisons
The AW2525HM wins the color accuracy contest for DCI-P3 with a 0.93dE score. It’s one of the few monitors that has cracked 1dE in my test. The next four screens aren’t far behind, but the BenQ is out of the mix at over 7dE.
The coverage test is where the AW2525HM really shines. You won’t find Quantum Dot color in the FHD gaming monitor category, but Alienware has achieved significantly more color than its rivals. The extra coverage is in red and green, meaning the picture is visibly more saturated and vibrant. It’s a great enhancement for gaming that adds to the AW2525HM’s already exemplary performance. The sRGB gamut comes up short of the mark with 86.82% coverage. For gaming, this isn’t an issue, but if you really need sRGB, there are monitors that do it better like the Lenovo R27fc-30.
Test Takeaway: The AW2525HM offers excellent color, grayscale and gamma accuracy that competes with professional screens after calibration. It has a greater DCI-P3 gamut volume than all its competitors, translating to more vibrant and enjoyable gaming.
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