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The 44394 comes out of the box close to correct and can be enjoyed without calibration. There are a couple of gamma choices, which I’ll detail below.
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.
The 44394’s grayscale errors are only just above the visible threshold at 80 to 100% brightness. You won’t see a problem with actual content. Gamma is fairly dark though. This makes color more saturated, but some highlight areas are a tad flat.
After a few clicks of the RGB sliders, grayscale tracking is at the reference level. It doesn’t get better than that. I opted for a lighter gamma, setting 2.0 which brightens up the image, improves highlight detail and punch, and has a more linear progression from dark to light. None of the gamma presets will hit 2.2 so both options are a compromise. You can try them both to see which you prefer.
Comparisons
2.82dE puts the 44394 in the calibration not required category. That’s a good thing in the value category. If you make a few changes, grayscale tracking is on par with professional screens. That’s an even better thing. My only complaint here is the gamma tracking which can either be darker than 2.2, or lighter. I preferred the lighter look, but some may opt for the dark option. I suggest trying them both.
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.
The gamma choice is clearer when looking at the color gamut results. The 44394’s default chart has no major errors. Green and cyan are a bit under-saturated, which is common for wide gamut screens. The other colors are fully saturated, on hue and nearly on reference as well.
In the second chart, you can see how the gamma change has desaturated the gamut slightly. I still preferred the image this way because it’s more vibrant. But the dark gamma option looks good too. That’s why I suggest trying both to see which you like better. Either way, the 44394 is very colorful.
Comparisons
Calibration doesn’t make a huge difference in the 44394’s color accuracy. Since it’s good to start with, that’s a point in favor. Looking at all the monitors, there is no visible difference and barely a measurable one. All of them present a colorful and accurate image. This is excellent performance.
The 44394’s gamut volume is a bit below average among extended color screens in general. Monoprice offers two other ultrawides with more, especially the 42772, which nearly hits 100%. You won’t be using the 44394 for color-critical work, especially given its lack of an sRGB mode. But for gaming and general use, no one will take issue.
Test Takeaway: The 44394’s grayscale and gamut accuracy is top-notch. Gamma tracks straight but doesn’t hit the 2.2 reference. You can go darker or lighter without affecting color, so users have a choice of which compromise they prefer. I went with the lighter option. Either one looks good, but an accurate option would be nice. Overall, though, the 44394 performs well for a budget display.
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