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Given my frustration with the P27A2R’s OSD control, I’m happy to say that you don’t need to calibrate it. It comes out of the box with solid grayscale, gamma and color tracking.
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.
There’s not much to see here other than a solid effort from Titan Army. Only the 100% brightness step cracks 3dE, and not by much. At peak output, you might see a touch of warmth if you look very hard, but realistically, this is a visually perfect chart. Gamma tracks the reference line almost exactly. With calibration, only a couple of clicks, I got the error down below 1dE average with no change in gamma. This is reference-level performance.
Comparisons
The P27A2R is on par with the other screens in both default and calibrated states. With a 1.57dE out-of-box result, there is no need for adjustment. That is true for the other monitors, too. While Titan Army delivers excellent accuracy for a low price, it isn’t alone. Though its final score puts it in last place, there is no one who will be unhappy about a 0.86dE grayscale error. That’s about as good as it gets.
Gamma tracking is excellent, with a tight 0.09 range of values and only 0.45% deviation from 2.2. The actual value is 2.21, visually indistinguishable from perfect.
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.
I might complain about the P27A2R’s lack of an sRGB mode, but when you look at its color gamut test result, you can’t help but be impressed. Only a slight under-saturation in red and green holds it back from perfection. Calibration lowers the number a bit, but visually, there is no difference. It looks great in all respects.
Comparisons
The P27A2R would win the gamut accuracy contest right out of the box. It’s hard to say much more than, this is a very accurate monitor, for $200. Definitely impressive. Though it doesn’t win the gamut volume comparison, it’s extremely close to the top. Visually, it’s equal to the Cooler Master and MSI displays.
Test Takeaway: The P27A2R’s frustrating OSD is offset by its superb color accuracy. It doesn’t need calibration and it hits all the marks for grayscale, gamma and color in the DCI-P3 realm. Only its lack of an sRGB mode holds it back from maximum greatness. For the money, there is nothing better.
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