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Each Spectrum Black 27 is calibrated before delivery and includes a data sheet. I verified these results for my sample. It does not require calibration for either DCI-P3 or sRGB color, 6500K color temp and 2.2 gamma tracking.
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.
Whether you choose DCI-P3 or sRGB color, grayscale tracking is the same. sRGB has slightly higher errors in the brighter steps, but they are not visible to the naked eye. Gamma also tracks very close to the 2.2 reference with no visible difference between color modes. I attempted a calibration using the RGB sliders in the color temp menu but could not improve upon the results. This is pro-level performance.
Comparisons
The Spectrum Black 27 has the best out-of-box grayscale tracking of the group with an impressive 0.84dE result. When the other screens are calibrated, it only slips one position. It doesn’t get much better than that. Even the sRGB mode’s score of 1.5dE would put it third before adjustment and fifth afterward.
Gamma tracking is equally precise, with a tiny 0.05 range of values and a 2.27% deviance from the 2.2 spec. The actual value is 2.15, which is a tad light. I couldn’t see a problem because there are no humps or dips in the trace. Gamma tracks almost perfectly straight for both color modes. This is excellent performance.
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.
From an accuracy standpoint, the Spectrum Black 27’s color gamut tracking is without visual flaw. Primary colors are a tad undersaturated on the chart, but not visually. Magenta and cyan are slightly off hue but again, you won’t see this in actual content. With such a low error level, this monitor is more than qualified for professional applications as well as premium gaming. The sRGB chart shows similar behavior with no visual errors at all.
Comparisons
The Spectrum Black 27 misses the first position by a nose, but remember, the other screens have been calibrated. The Dough is at its factory settings, which is most impressive. Of course, no one will complain about any of the screens here. Their color accuracy is superb.
Here is where the Spectrum Black 27’s one weakness lies. As a non-QD monitor, it won’t have the gamut coverage of the MSI. But it is a tad behind other non-QD screens like the AOC and Asus. I’m picking nits here, but if you want every point of comparison between displays, this parameter should be included. In practice, few, if any, users will complain.
Test Takeaway: The Spectrum Black 27 has pro-level accuracy with no need for calibration. Only a slightly smaller color gamut might give buyers pause. But in practice, it is not a deal-breaker by any means. A tiny bit less green will not diminish its superlative gaming performance, high-end build quality and comprehensive feature set.
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