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Conclusion
After all the testing is done can we still call the PA328Q a professional-grade monitor? We believe the answer is yes based on its superb accuracy, clear bright picture and flexible calibration system. But for those considering upgrading their graphics workstation to Ultra HD resolution we suggest looking carefully at this monitor’s feature list.
To the positive we have almost perfect color, grayscale and gamma accuracy as certified by Asus and confirmed by our tests. Even without calibration the sRGB and Standard image presets are well under the advertised two Delta E error level. We consider three to be the point where problems become visible. So whether you’re equipped with calibration gear or not, the PA328Q can supply precise accurate color.
Then there’s the extraordinarily clear picture courtesy of a tight gap between the TFT and anti-glare layers. Not only is light rejection handled well, the image just jumps from the screen with nary a speck of grain or softness. At this resolution that’s certainly important and Asus has gone above and beyond the call here. A nice bonus to this are some of the best viewing angles we’ve seen from any LCD display. And build quality is certainly befitting a professional’s tool. The panel is quite solid as is the stand which holds everything in place while still providing a full range of movement.
But there is one important thing missing – an Adobe RGB gamut option. This is something we believe should be on every pro display. Even though it’s principally used in printing and photography there’s another segment that benefits from a larger colorspace – the film industry.
It seems that every new Hollywood blockbuster uses more CGI effects than its predecessors. Check out titles like San Andreas or Rise of the Planet of the Apes if you’re not sure what we mean. These effects are often mastered in extended gamuts like DCI-P3 and even Rec.2020 which is part of the Ultra HD specification.
Going forward, professional monitors need to support larger gamuts. Asus has done this in the past with products like the PA279Q we reviewed two years ago. But in the Ultra HD category it seems that only Dell and NEC have chosen to include Adobe RGB.
So if your color needs don’t go beyond sRGB and Rec.709, the PA328Q is a serious contender. Color accuracy and build quality are first-rate and it comes at a relatively low price. We think it’s worth your consideration.
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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware, covering Monitors.
