Synopsis
I was looking for a cheap 1440p monitor as a direct replacement to my 21" Philips 222 EL 2 as my main monitor when I came across this on Qoo10. I loved my 21" monitor but it was too small for my needs, seeing now I have to do with occasion photo detailing.
Delivery Process:
Qoo10 and QNIX wasted no time sending it to me. I sent the Request on Friday (8-Jan) afternoon. It reached Singapore in less than 48 hours and was sent to me on Tuesday. The box it came in was reinforced with an outer layer of cardboard. The reinforcement is tight with tape but it's easy to remove with a small steel ruler.
The review samples had these plain white boxes with Korean Text but this one comes with the standard consumer Box which on the outside describes a bit of some of the features that the monitor has.
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| The box is tightly reinforced... |
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| But reveals some of the goods when revealed. |
But lo and behold, you get yourself a mammoth like this big ol' QX2710 from QNIX. Even at that size, at just over 4 Kilograms, it is still relatively light for its size.
This is the same monitor that Kyle from AwesomesauceNetwork reviewed as being one of his best IPS panels he had ever used. I read somewhere it's more of a VA Panel than an IPS but I could be wrong. Other sources that this panel is based off the Samsung PLS panel. So some research is in order.
With that said, I'm taking a look at the QX2710.
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| My first 1440p monitor I own. It's relatively lightweight for its size. |
To assemble the monitor is fairly straightforward. First you want to unscrew the key from the bottom of the monitor. They did this instead of putting in separately or shoved into the base so you know you won't misplace that key. Then you take the base and slot the monitor in and going back to that key, screw it through the treads of both monitor and the base to secure the monitor firmly into its mount.
Accessories Kit
QNIX include pretty much everything you need to get this monitor running. Apart from the monitor, you'll get:
- A Power Brick
- Power Connector that goes into the Power brick. It's a 2-pinned plug.
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Included Power Brick which
uses a detachable standard power
supply cable. |
- 2 to 3 pin Adapter
- 1 x Dual Link DVI Cable
- 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Manual
The thing that puts me off.... why QNIX?! Why is your manual in Korean only! At least have it in basic English! It's not that hard.
The jack of the power brick outputs using a detachable standard power cable which they included. It is a 2-pin heavy plug. But it's nice that QNIX included the 2 to 3 pin adapter (already attached for you which is very nice) for easier plugging in to a UK Wall socket. Moreover I did have a tonne of standard UK 3-pin Power cables lying around that can be used with the Power Brick, so finding suitable cables for it isn't a problem. It's also good that the brick is external rather than a built-in Power Supply. So in an event the power brick goes bad like from a power surge, you just need a replacement brick without swapping the entire monitor.
It was also important that they throw in a Dual Link DVI Cable. I tried with my single link DVI cable which wouldn't work, the monitor will keep flashing upon getting the signal. The Cable is just not fast enough to receive all 3,686, 400 pixels at a time as compared to a 1080p one in which a single Link DVI works. So they did include one. And I did have one extra Dual Link DVI Cable now.
Basic Layout and Connectivity
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| Left: No I/O. |
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Right I/O: 3.5mm Audio Jack, HDMI out, DVI out (Supports only Dual Link)
Below it hidden by the DVI Cable is the DC Power in. |
The monitor I configured didn't have too much in a way of outputs. However for this money, I couldn't complain. And there's one thing that all monitors can follow, is the position of the ports. The great design cue is that they placed the I/O at the side instead of placing at the bottom either facing the back or worse facing the bottom.
The Right Side had an Audio Jack to connect between your computer's in built speakers. It had a Dual Link DVI out and a HDMI out. HDMI provides a resolution at the default 1080p at 60 Hz.
However at least for OS X Capitan, although it displays itself as 1080p, the scale will look as if it be a 1440p display. I could tell the difference while using a 1080p screen and a 1440p one side by side. What I can probably infer is that the pixel density retains itself over the resolution spectrum.
The base model comes with a single Dual Link DVI port but I bought the one that also had HDMI on it. Other output configurations are also available at varying prices with Display Port and Mini Display Port options also available on the market.
The monitor however doesn't support single link DVI which is why QNIX was nice enough to include a Dual Link DVI in the accessories box. Well, you can't have too many DVI cables as I did face a huge challenge buying DVI cables around here when I was facing a cable shortage.
The Left has nothing on it. But the similar looking plates do suggest provisions for more outputs but at a higher cost.
The rear houses both the integrated 2 x 5W Speakers which can be output from a standard 3.5mm Jack or the integrated controller using a HDMI Interface. The back also has VESA 100mm by 100mm mount for mounting to the wall or to a custom stand.
Stand
The stand that is provided is a bummer as it only offers tilt and no height adjustment. Completely removing its assembly including the neck of the stand requires the getting into the monitor itself. So it's not easy to remove that stand without a screwdriver. Sure it does get the job done but unless I plop it on a raised base on my desk, it's gonna be too low. That is why the monitor is placed on my Slim Desktop for that height that was the perfect for me.
Controls
Although it's hard to see the control indicators without a flash, it's quite easy to feel the buttons. The button controls on the monitor have a satisfying tactile click upon pressing and controls couldn't be made simpler.
'Source' to Toggle between DVI and HDMI in my case.
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The back of the monitor: Speakers and below it
is a standard VESA mount. |
'Menu' to bring up the On Screen Display to change the settings and calibrate your monitor. Also doubles as a switch to confirm settings.
Up and Down arrows to go through the various stuff.
I'd like to point out that the OSD is available if you have the option with more than 1 I/O port like mine comes with HDMI and DVI.
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Controls on the bottom of the monitor are abit hard to
See without the flash. |
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| On Screen Display Menu |
The Menu is very minimalistic as what you'd come to expect from Korean branded monitors.
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| Gaming Mode and DCR Toggles are available. |
Performance
For a VA monitor at that price, it is good. The viewing angles aren't shabby and washed out
when at those tight spots, gallery in the next section. The blacks aren't super black as it's supposed to be but I don't really see that much of a difference. And the brightness and contrast levels can be easily manipulated to one's liking. But in terms of brightness and out of the box experience, it is more than good enough even without any tweaking.
As for color reproduction, it is not the monitor for stuff like Photoshopping and editing. It can to some extent, but there are better monitors that are fit for graphics work. Well, for that price, what can you do anyway.
However as a general monitor for games, watching movies, videos, YouTube and stuff, QX2710 can take care of it very well.
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| Monitor using its HDMI Output on OS X El Capitan. HDMI is limited to 1080p at 60 Hz. |
The on board speakers on the QX2710 are mediocre at best. It's soft even at maximum volume. It doesn't help that the speakers are facing the rear. Made worse for Mac OS X to output HDMI Audio to that interface by default, I'd prefer to just stick to my MacBook Pro's Speakers. Although it's enough for basic stuff like watching YouTube videos, you would want to plug in an external speaker solution anyway for gaming music and movies. Still it's there if you somehow want it.
Dynamic Contrast which is a way for the monitor to automatically calibrate itself when trying to bring out dark colors though unnecessary is nice to have.
The monitor is said to be able to overclock to 120Hz refresh rate which is very nice for gamers. I haven't got up to that stage since I don't really find the need for overclocking monitors. But the option is there though and users who have been using this monitor can easily push 100 Hz for a butter smooth and responsive gaming experience.
Viewing Angles Gallery:
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| From the bottom side |
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| Acceptable viewing angle From the Top |
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| From the right edge. |
Pricing:
The pricing of this monitor is where it's at and it is what makes this a special performer. At launch in 2013, this monitor sells at around 360-375 USD (510-550 SGD) and that is just the model with a single DVI port. However just this week, I got mine just over 260 SGD with both DVI and HDMI and a matte screen. The Base model with a single DVI costs just SGD 219 from Qoo10 (150 USD) which for a 27" 1440p monitor with this performance, is very nice.
BOTTOMLINE
"Total Bang for buck 1440p!"
That's my quick quote to summarise the QX2710. Is it the best? Nope. But I can say that the monitor is right up there with some of the other best monitors available, especially in the IPS Panels and within this price bracket. QNIX has produced a solid performing 1440p monitor for the gaming masses without breaking the bank.
There is really no other 1440p monitor that I can ever find at this price, a solid one at that and at a 27 Inch Diagonal length. This price would have otherwise net you a smaller 1080p one from the bigger refutable brands like ASUS and BenQ. Not many features yes, but you get actually more than what you pay for. The screen estate coupled with good base color reproduction is nothing to laugh it.
The HDMI out is nice to have so it is possible to plug this into consoles like the PS4 and XBox 1 even though that they are locked at their own native resolutions.
Pros:
Solid Color Reproduction at most viewing angles,
Real cheap and excellent price to performance ratio, especially at that size and resolution.
Cables and Accessories
Good out of the box color calibration
Decent Viewing Angles
Negligible colour bleeding.
Fairly light for its size.
Overclocking refresh rate is nice to have.
Cons:
Could have more outputs
Poor Speakers
No Height Adjustment on the stand
Requires digging into the monitor to completely remove the stand for VESA Mounting.
Why's the Manual in Korean?
Now having said that, for gamers who are looking at a cheap, but VERY worthy upgrade to old 720p, 900p and 1080p monitors, this is a Solid "
Value-for-Money" and
"GOLD" award contender if one doesn't need to care much for its shortcomings and limitations like the stand and speakers. It otherwise does have nice features for the gamers. This monitor may have been out for a while for over 2 years, but reviews have shown that it can still hold its own against the more expensive and more recent monitors and do so on the cheap. Not as good for like super extensive editing like Photoshop and Final Cut / Premier Pro but as a general use 1440p monitor? This monitor is a total steal.
Price: *****
Design: ***
Features: **
Performance: *****
Overall: *****
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| QX2710 - a Solid value for money proposition at 1440p |
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| My Current Desk Setup: From small to medium 21" to Large 27". |
