BenQ EX2780Q 144Hz Gaming Monitor review: Ridiculously good HDR and great sound

BenQ EX2780Q Gaming Monitor Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Central

Loftier dynamic range (HDR) is popping up everywhere these days, offering the potential for more than vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and brighter whites on TVs and PC monitors alike. More than fifty-fifty 4K, HDR represents a true step upwardly in image quality with content that supports it. The just catch is that it has to be washed well, non only with content, but with the display itself.

Inexpensive or incomplete HDR implementations will leave y'all wanting, but when it'due south done well, it actually stands out. An first-class example of the latter is BenQ's new EX2780Q gaming monitor, which offers upward vibrant HDR that is a treat for the eyes. Combined with a well-baked IPS display, 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and a surprisingly good set of speakers, it's a solid contender for one of the all-time gaming displays on the market right now.

Only is information technology worth the $600 price? Let's take a look.

HDR on brandish

BenQ EX2780Q Gaming Monitor

$600 at Amazon

Bottom line: The BenQ EX2780Q is the best-looking and sounding monitor I've laid optics on. A combination of not bad HDR, solid gaming features, and thoughtful extras makes it well worth the coin.

Pros

Vibrant colors
Excellent HDR
Surprisingly cracking speakers
Well-baked movement

Cons

Cable management can exist crowded
No tiptop adjustment

What y'all'll like well-nigh the BenQ EX2780Q Gaming Monitor

Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Fundamental

To get information technology out of the fashion up front end, the BenQ EX2780Q might be the all-time-looking desktop display I've laid optics on. Further, it has what is probably the all-time set of congenital-in speakers I've heard on a monitor to engagement. The kicker is that all of this is packed into a relatively unassuming, if handsome, metal frame.

I'm and then used to seeing gaming monitors with colorful, ambitious flourishes and RGB lights that I didn't quite know what to look when unboxing the EX2780Q. BenQ seems quite content to let the display and speakers, well, speak for themselves. Because I'one thousand one of those people who prefers my monitors to only be monitors without whatsoever distracting flair, I'chiliad fine with that, though I recognize some may disagree.

In one case the EX2780Q is fired up, the quality of the brandish is immediately apparent even without HDR engaged. Colors are relatively poppy while remaining easy on the eyes, and the dissimilarity feels great out of the box. Merely when you view HDR content, that's when the monitor actually comes to life.

The BenQ EX2780Q might be the all-time-looking display I've laid eyes on.

With the EX2780Q, BenQ is using what it calls HDRi technology. Essentially, HDRi is the extended range of colors and dissimilarity HDR offers, mixed with some intelligence BenQ has built into the display to adjust the paradigm based on your ambient lighting. According to BenQ, this results in less eye strain and, ultimately, a clearer flick that tones down overexposed areas of the screen and helps you choice out more detail in shadows.

That'south a lot of hype from BenQ, simply HDRi actually does exactly what it says on the tin can. HDR games and video looked noticeably more vibrant than I've experienced with other displays, and I was able to pick out more detail than usual. It didn't conquer the experience offered by Dolby Vision for me, but it'southward certainly shut. Moreover, I didn't notice my optics getting as fatigued over extended play sessions.

Where the EX2780Q surprised me more was with its emulated HDR modes. The display can heave standard definition content by adjusting the paradigm to emulate HDR enhancements. There are several dissimilar emulated HDR modes for things like movie theater and games, giving you a fair amount of control over how it looks.

BenQ EX2780Q Remote Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Central

The emulated HDR certainly didn't piece of work flawlessly with as of content; information technology noticeably blew out highlights in The Outer Worlds when I engaged information technology, for example. However, it definitely made a lot of standard definition content much more vivid and engaging to lookout. I even establish myself leaving it on while working and enjoying the way it adapted to my normal workday of endlessly writing and browsing RSS feeds.

Category	Spec
Size	27 inches
Resolution	2560x1440
Refresh rate	144Hz
Response fourth dimension	5ms (gray to grey)
PPI	109
Brightness	Up to 400 nits
Panel	IPS LED backlight
Viewing angles (H/V)	178°/178°
Aspect ratio	16:9
Native contrast	1000:i
Dynamic contrast	20,000,000:1
Colors	ane.07 billion
Color depth	10 scrap
Connectivity	HDMI (ii.0) x2, DisplayPort x1, USB Type-C X1 (PD10W, DP alt manner, data)
Speakers	2W x 2 + 5W

While I could go along well-nigh the HDR feel for days, there are other things to like about the EX2780Q besides. The 144Hz refresh charge per unit is an absolute must on a gaming monitor in this toll range, so it's bang-up to see information technology here. If you lot have a decently powerful gaming rig, you lot'll be able to push frame rates well to the betoken of buttery smooth.

Helping those high framerates is the inclusion of FreeSync support here as well. If y'all have whatever modern AMD graphics bill of fare, you'll exist able to take advantage of FreeSync to make sure the frame output of your PC remains in sync with the display. The result is the emptying of screen tearing and hitching, which makes the whole experience smoother.

Then there's the sound, which kind of caught me off guard. I'thousand used to monitor speakers being an afterthought, preferring to simply plug in my headset and never bear upon them again. However, the EX2780Q's combination of a set of stereo speakers and a pocket-size subwoofer, packed in a bar sitting below the display, was much punchier and engrossing than I anticipated.

Music actually sounded robust, and game audio was immersive without requiring me to slap my headset on. There are plenty of audio modes to choose from as well, if you need to tweak the sound for gaming, movies, or music.

Finally, there'south the remote. Honestly, I didn't think I'd employ it much, but it became a delightful trivial improver to the experience of using the EX2780Q. Instead of fiddling with buttons on the rear of the monitor, I could much more quickly switch between HDR modes or increase the volume with the remote. I similar that.

What you'll dislike about the BenQ EX2780Q Gaming Monitor

Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Central

While the display, HDR, and sound on the BenQ EX2780Q are both smashing, I nevertheless have a couple of minor nits to pick. Namely, those prevarication in BenQ's design choices regarding cable management and screen aligning.

On the cable management side of things, my but complaint is that things tin can get crowded chop-chop. There'due south a portion of the stand that tin exist uncovered to route cables through. Inside that portion, there are metal pins under which you're meant to constrict cables before placing the cover back on. This works out just fine for one or ii cables, but you'll fast find yourself begging for more room.

I'm a sucker for elegant cable management solutions, and I'm a big fan of how Samsung handles cables on its line of QLED gaming monitors. There'due south a removeable cover over the rear inputs that, once snapped on, allows cables to exist routed out of a single cutout. From at that place, they can exist clipped to the back of the stand, staying mostly out of sight. Something akin to that system would be preferable.

Where BenQ could improve things farther is on the display's physical adjustments also. You've got a bit of freedom hither, with the ability to tilt the display up and down. Withal, it'd exist prissy to meet an selection to adjust the height besides.

So should you buy the BenQ EX2780Q Gaming Monitor?

Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Key

The BenQ EX2780Q's HDRi alone makes this a monitor well worth buying. If y'all can swing the $600 price, that combination of poppy color, mixed with must-accept gaming features like a fast refresh rate, FreeSync, and more than make it an enticing packet. The excellent sound quality from the 2.one speaker setup is just the cherry on superlative.

While HDR still isn't as fully baked on PCs as it is on TVs, it hasn't quite become a must-have in the infinite notwithstanding. For my money, however, I wouldn't want to game without it, especially on a quality display. The BenQ EX2780Q nails information technology on all fronts.

Vibrant gaming

BenQ EX2780Q Gaming Monitor

A damn proficient brandish.

If you don't heed the price, the BenQ EX2780Q is one of the all-time gaming monitors you can become your hands on right at present. Its thoughtful combination of first-class HDR, solid gaming functioning, and little extras arrive well worth the investment.

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