QNIX QX2710 LED DPmulti True10 Review
by Chris Heinonen on April 11, 2014 6:00 AM ESTConclusions
Nothing in the QNIX took me by surprise when I reviewed it. The menu system, while basic, allows for some adjustments to be made to the display. The monitor stand is like most other entry-level displays and has very little you can adjust on it aside from the tilt. The inputs are nicely side-mounted, which I wish more companies would do. It's not a particularly stylish display, but then we wouldn't expect that from a budget QHD LCD.
The two largest issues in performance are the gamma curve and the uniformity. Since I expect few people to be calibrating a $360 display, the out of the box performance is pretty important and the gamma curve is an issue. Combined with the higher black levels and poor contrast ratios, it leads to a fairly flat, washed out image in comparison to other displays. This incorrect gamma can be corrected by using calibration software, but it only goes so far and you can't completely fix the problem, and there are no user controls to do try to improve the out-of-box experience.
The display uniformity also rules out the monitor from doing serious image editing or other color critical work on it. Even those professionals that have calibration hardware and software will likely want to avoid it because different areas of the screen will display a different image. There are also some color issues but those aren’t large enough to cause me great concern.
So for general use, how is the QNIX? The image is fine, if a bit washed out. The blacks are higher than I’d like them to be as well. For some users the input lag will be a concern, but there are other 27” panels out there that offer 3-13ms lower input lag if you need it. With multiple inputs that support whatever you want to connect, it is certainly more useful than the DVI-only models that came before it.
If you just want a 27" QHD display that has all the inputs you need and lacks any dealbreaker flaws, the QNIX will fit the bill. If you want to hit a really low price point you'll have to make some sacrifices and for the most part, the QNIX made good choices. I do wish the gamma was closer to 2.2 since that would really help image quality. If you want to have higher image quality and color accuracy, spending $100 more for the Monoprice IPS-Glass Panel Pro 27", or getting it on sale, will be a better choice. However, on straight bang for the buck, the QNIX does well for general daily use.
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KVFinn - Friday, April 18, 2014 - link
>First of all - these aren't the monitors people want from Korea, the ones you buy are the QNix QX2710 and the X-Star DP2710 (or the Catleaps if you want to go back in time to when this started).Yup. This is not the 'QNIX' people are talking about when they talk about the great value in Korean monitors. Anyone following the recommendations knows to stay away from this model.
As it stands, the only way to get a 1400p IPS/PLS display at greater than 90 (and sometimes all the way to 120) is STILL the Korean QX2710 or DP2710 which are both still shipping for less than 300 dollars. It's not just a bargain it's literally the only way to find a display that meets those requirements.
blackoctagon - Thursday, May 1, 2014 - link
To make matters even more confusing, the QNIX QX2710 exists in both multi-input and DL-DVI-only variants. Only the latter variant OC's properly without skipping framesyasamoka - Friday, April 11, 2014 - link
Appreciate the review, but this model has been known since shortly after release in the OCN Qnix / X-Star PLS club to be the worst of the Qnix family, best avoided.The monitor has high input lag (2 frames), low contrast ratio (700:1), doesn't overclock (skips frames), and uses PWM backlight control. I knew these even before I read your review. Your review confirms that this is a Korean monitor best avoided.
On the other hand, the Qnix QX2710 Evolution II single-input and multi-input models have none of these issues. The single-input DVI dual-link model has no input lag (~2-3ms?), higher contrast ratio (900:1 - 1100:1), overclocks to 100Hz+ easily (many get 110-120Hz), and very very few users have ever reported PWM flicker, meaning most likely it either doesn't use PWM at all (save for 2-3 cases on the Internet ~160Hz) or it uses a high frequency not visible to most / all (mine).
The multi-input model has 1 frame of lag, not 2, doesn't OC, and one measurement put it at 900:1 (NCX - had another 1100:1 single-input glow-free PWM-free Matte).
NCX's review:
http://wecravegamestoo.com/forums/monitor-reviews-...
These are my results with my Qnix QX2710 EvoII single-input DVI-DL (out-of-the-box; arrived August 1, 2013; measured recently late March,2014) - using an i1 Display Pro, HCFR for measurements, ArgyllCMS + dispcalGUI for calibration and profiling:
Grayscale accuracy: http://i.imgur.com/QCDtnqD.png
RGB Levels: http://i.imgur.com/9rsH7DK.png
Color temperature: http://i.imgur.com/1rjeumA.png
Gamut: http://i.imgur.com/EhDD1EK.png
Gamma @ 2.04, Contrast Ratio @ 890:1, average DE @ 1.9
My monitor is one of those with a slight yellowish tint out-of-the-box. Imagine how the samples that don't have this tint would measure (NCX - ~perfect white, little difference with calibration).
Calibration & Profiling results:
Profiling results (ArgyllCMS + dispcalGUI): http://i.imgur.com/tkFrJ7n.png
This shows a 99.7% sRGB gamut coverage and a 75.1% Adobe RGB gamut coverage.
Grayscale accuracy: http://i.imgur.com/v4acVp3.png
RGB Levels: http://i.imgur.com/WWJ8GwV.png
Color temperature: http://i.imgur.com/zfNgbiN.png
Gamma @ 2.21, Contrast Ratio @ 856:1, average DE @ 0.27
Uniformity?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g6rldfq2fru316r/Qnix%20Q...
-06.62% -00.88% -00.79% -04.79% -13.17%
-14.44% -03.14% -02.92% -12.66%
-11.33% -11.10% -05.40% -04.72% -03.80%
This is with my monitor having slight yellow bleed (because of the case causing pressure) starting from the bottom middle stretching towards the right side of the screen, visible only in the darkest of scenes with the lights off.
Overclocks to 110Hz with some tightened timings, reaches 116Hz or so before it starts artifacting lightly (120Hz has ~2 green lines constantly on the screen). All on the stock cable and same GPU DVI-DL port.
itpromike - Friday, April 11, 2014 - link
So if someone were looking at a $500 or less monitor with the best quality that price could afford which would be advised? Would it be one of the Korean models you just mentioned or is their a normal reputable vendor like Asus or ViewSonic that have a good quality monitor around this price? I'm looking for something as close to the quality of the Apple Thunderbolt quality/panel as possible.iamkyle - Thursday, April 17, 2014 - link
I personally acquired an X-Star DP2710 LED (identical to the QX2710 that yasamoka has). I would say the ONLY drawbacks are the el-cheapo stand, and only a DL-DVI input.But really? Compares to the positives? My monitor has NO dead pixels, overclocks to 120Hz with no dropped frames or random anomalies, and has 1000:1 contrast ratio. Do you really need 2 inputs? No son, you need 2 monitors!
I paid $300USD + $50 in taxes and import fees on delivery = $350.
Do not let Anandtech's review sway you as they reviewed a totally different monitor. For the resolution, colour quality, and price it's easily the best thing under $500.
vasiln - Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - link
I created an account to reply to this. I just purchased a single-input QX27 Evo II via an Amazon reseller. (Had a small defect in corner of screen, so in transit for replacement; whole process was very smooth, reseller very cooperative, in case this is a cause of worry for anyone.)The image quality is imperfect. There is some light bleed (this is common, but varies from monitor to monitor) which leads to problems with brightness uniformity. Contrast is good, but I still have to settle for some crushed whites or some crushed blacks. Overall, however, the image quality makes me very happy. It is miles ahead of my old TN screen. Just, it's not appropriate for graphics professionals.
As far as gaming, my monitor overclocked to 120hz without graphical glitches. Again, this varies, but 96hz seems like a very reasonable and easily achieved overclock. Verified via testUFO, btw. Reports are of 1ms input lag, which I find hard to believe, but I will say that I (no professional gamer) noticed no input lag. However, 120hz on a monitor like this isn't 120hz on a benq or asus with a strobe, because of persistence. Much as with image quality, gaming performance is very good, but not appropriate for a gaming professional.
And the price is right. Amazon resellers have these available for $350. These resellers aim to please, because they're getting good money, but have to keep Amazon happy to stay listed, and Amazon is happy if you're happy.
So it's not a great monitor towards any particular purpose, and it's not a great monitor at any price point, but for its cost, I am really happy with the QNIX, and think it's a wonderful jack-of-all-trades.
StevenBMay - Friday, April 11, 2014 - link
The confusion has come in when people have begin referring to 1920x1080 as "HD". By that definition, "QuadHD" then implies 4x1080p or 4K, which is incorrect. QuadHD has always been 2560x1440. So the confusion doesn't come from how the article is written - it comes from the incorrect definition of "HD" that has perpetuated over the last few years as new confusing acronyms are coined for higher-resolution displays. http://s6x.it/l521Conficio - Friday, April 11, 2014 - link
More than $100 difference between this QNIX and the Monoprice. Matte vs Glossy as far as I can see in the pictures.okashira - Friday, April 11, 2014 - link
It is unfortunate that anandtech chose to review one of the worst of the Qnix / X-Star Korean monitors.The QX2710 or the DP2710LED are far superior.
kmmatney - Friday, April 11, 2014 - link
I still appreciate the review. Between the review and the comments I have a much better understanding of these low cost monitors. I'm still rocking a 24 inch Soyo Topaz, which I love, but will be looking at these when mine dies.