The X32 has a myriad of picture modes and color options but they are easy to manage. Making any change puts the monitor in User mode and from there, you can specify color temp, gamma and gamut to your preference.
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.
Since I had already adjusted the brightness slider, the X32 switched from its default Standard mode to User. The Normal color temp shows a bit of warmth in steps above 30% brightness. The error isn’t grievous and though the default dE value is 4.84, I was able to enjoy the image pre-calibration. It’s better to have too much red than too much green or blue. Gamma tracks reasonably well with a slight rise in the brighter steps (too dark).
Calibration tightens up grayscale tracking significantly and improves gamma too. It’s a win-win.
If you choose any of the other gamut options, color temp and gamma become fixed. In sRGB mode, grayscale tracking has a slight rise in red and gamma is picture perfect.
Comparisons
Given that the X32 comes out of the box with a 4.84dE grayscale error, I recommend calibration if you plan to stick with the Standard gamut mode that uses the full native color volume. But since the error is more warm than cool, it’s forgivable. Still, I believe the default grayscale tracking could be a little better given the state of the competition.
Once adjusted, the X32 has no visible grayscale issues and competes more favorably with the others.
Gamma tracking is solid, with a tight 0.15 range of values and a 2.27% deviation from the 2.2 reference. The actual value is 2.25 and is mainly due to slightly dark highlights. This is something that will be hidden from view once the local dimming is turned on.
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.
Once I had completed my initial run of color tests, it was clear that the X32 is a Rec.2020 monitor. It blows right past DCI-P3 and fills most of the 2020 spec with nearly perfect saturation and hue tracking. The reddish grayscale accounts for the magenta hue error but saturation-wise, every point is close to its target. I did all tests using the Rec.2020 reference.
After calibration, the average color error is reduced mainly due to the improvement in magenta hue. It doesn’t get better than this, at least not today. The X32 is supremely colorful and color accurate.
sRGB mode is spot-on as well and shows what you can expect from all the other gamut modes. You can’t calibrate them, but they are accurate enough to qualify for professional duty. This is excellent performance.
Comparisons
The X32 and the GP27U are both Rec.2020 monitors, so I calculated the color error based on that reference. The others are compared to DCI-P3. The differences in volume are plainly visible to the naked eye, so if you’re looking for maximum color, the Cooler Master and the Acer will provide the most, and accurately too. The X32 comes in at 1.94dE after calibration, which means it has no visible errors in the Rec.2020 realm. That’s quite an achievement for its $1,200 price.
You can see that also in the volume chart, where both screens are well ahead of the rest at over 100% coverage of DCI-P3. The X32 covers over 80% of Rec.2020. If you consider one of the other monitors, the Philips and the Asus are visibly more colorful than the Samsung or the Gigabyte.
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