Dough Spectrum Black 27-inch OLED gaming monitor review: Pro-level accuracy and premium performance

The Dough Spectrum 27 is a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor with QHD resolution, HDR400, 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and wide gamut color.

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Dough Spectrum Black 27
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Dough Spectrum Black
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Differences in peak brightness for OLEDs in SDR mode come down to how their variable brightness features are implemented. In practice, more than 250 nits is unnecessary when using the monitor in a typical office or media room. I measured the Spectrum Black 27 using its Maximum brightness mode and got over 505 nits peak from a 25% window pattern. A full field measured 267 nits. With Uniform brightness set, I measured 253 nits from both window and full field patterns. Tempered brightness scored the same as Maximum in this test because it only measures peak white. As always, OLED contrast can’t be measured thanks to pixels that shut off completely under zero signal conditions.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Dough Spectrum Black
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

I set the peak to 200 nits measured in Maximum brightness mode from a 25% window pattern. In practice, this is a little too bright for my taste, but your preference may vary. It’s done simply to level the playing field for comparisons. Both static and ANSI contrast is infinite for the Spectrum Black 27, as it is for every OLED I’ve tested.

Test Takeaway: The Spectrum Black 27 offers a couple of options for peak output that give it extra brightness over the competition. If you need this capability, it’s there for you. But with levels equalized, it delivers the same black levels and contrast in SDR mode as every other OLED I’ve tested.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

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MORE: How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor

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.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • azcn2503
    This review mentions nothing about actually trying to obtain one of these things. Customers that placed orders literally years ago have not received their product yet, and the company have gone dark with their communications. There is some very shady activity happening with the company filing for various types of insolvency, changing their name, etc. to exploit loopholes that aid protecting them from engaging with and reimbursing very rightfully enraged customers.

    Dough were previously known as Eve. A quick google search for simply "dough eve" will tell you everything you need to know about this network of companies.
    Reply
  • cknobman
    $1100 for a 27 inch OLED!?

    There is a sucker born every second these days.
    Reply
  • Albert.Thomas
    DOUGH is a ponzi scheme scam, DO NOT BUY.
    Reply
  • j99992
    azcn2503 said:
    Dough were previously known as Eve. A quick google search for simply "dough eve" will tell you everything you need to know about this network of companies.
    Even better, consider using DuckDuckGo or Brave Search. Remember, there are multiple search engines available worldwide.
    What baffles me is that OLED is still discussed and priced as if it's a brand-new, cutting-edge technology, despite being around for about 20 years. I was anticipating OLED back in 2003.
    Reply
  • helper800
    j99992 said:
    Even better, consider using DuckDuckGo or Brave Search. Remember, there are multiple search engines available worldwide.
    What baffles me is that OLED is still discussed and priced as if it's a brand-new, cutting-edge technology, despite being around for about 20 years. I was anticipating OLED back in 2003.
    The problem that still exists with OLED is the manufacturing cost. It is a very expensive BOM technology, just because its 20 years old does not automagically make manufacturing it any cheaper, especially at these small screen sizes.
    Reply
  • parkerthon
    If you don’t understand why this monitor is so expensive, you don’t understand why people buy premium monitors.

    I find it humorous when people build a $2000 gaming pc only to spend $200 on a va panel that looks like washed out dog crap or a laggy ips that looks like a blurry slide show when gaming. But then again I notice this stuff because I have always felt the monitor is key to the whole pc gaming experience. I know others could care less. Just understand, this price is justified.
    Reply