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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level
If you are looking for a super bright monitor, the MAG325CQRF is not it. It tops out at 283 nits in both SDR and HDR modes. While this is bright enough for a typical office or media room, it will not work next to a sunny window. Luckily, it has terrific black levels, so its contrast is above the norm, a distinction it shares with the AOC and Viotek screens. The average ratio I’ve recorded for VA monitors is around 3,500:1. This makes forgiving the lower-than-average peak output easy.
After Calibration to 200 nits
The MAG325CQRF’s calibration consisted only of setting the peak to 200 nits. I did not use the user color temp option because it cuts brightness to just 108 nits max. The ratio is now higher at 4,706.8:1. Only the Viotek can play in this arena.
Due to the screen uniformity issue I noted earlier, ANSI contrast is lower at 3,448.8:1. This is still a very high number and clearly better than the bottom four monitors. The MAG325CQRF’s excellent contrast more than makes up for its lower-than-average output.
Test Takeaway: You’ll need a dim or dark environment to best enjoy the MAG325CQRF. But its high contrast and deep blacks mean the picture is very dimensional and colorful. Enhanced by a wide color gamut, it is capable of a stunning image.
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