- Overall
The BenQ EW2770QZ is a modern 27-inch QHD monitor with a unique feature which adjusts its display output according to your environment. While touted as an entertainment-focused screen, it should be noted that this new model isn’t a gaming-grade product, but rather, it should serve as a mix-use screen for the home and office. As time passes, newer and better products with improved tech become available to increasingly meticulous buyers, and just like every unique offering out there, the BenQ EW2770QZ piques the techie’s interest.
BenQ EW2770QZ Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 1440p QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time:5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes 2 x 2Watts
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-2°/+16°)
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 24.17″ x 18.13″ x 7.8″
- Weight: 13.01lbs
Display and Features
Just like any other display product we like, the BenQ EW2770QZ sports a clean frontal design with thin, 8mm black bezels. The protruding device on the bottom acts as an inbuilt sensor for its distinctive feature, and even if it disrupts the bottom line, it doesn’t present a distraction. The T-shaped stand and base come with a silver accent, but it doesn’t come off as flashy overall.
The rear of the cabinet gently bulges towards the center, and while it does seem elegant, one concern is you can’t flush-mount the BenQ EW2770QZ to a wall. The simplified stand does detach to reveal VESA mounts, but it is limited to tilt. For the current retail price of this model, we expect it to include a bit more flexibility since the cost range is encroaching enthusiast or gamer/professional territory.
Like the rest of the product, the BenQ EW2770QZ’s I/O layout is simplified to only have DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI slots. Frankly, that’s all you are ever going to need for the monitor’s native operation, but we miss having USB slots on a product labeled as premium. But since this model is targeted at home entertainment, a sample setup could include the main PC for the DisplayPort, plus a console and a home entertainment unit on the two HDMI ports.
The BenQ EW2770QZ comes with two 2-watt speakers accompanied by 3.5mm jacks for audio passthrough. Of course, the pair doesn’t have enough frequency response for your entertainment needs so that you will need a separate set for better sound quality.
Display and Performance
The BenQ EW2770QZ features a 27-inch IPS panel from AU Optronics with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 5ms response time, and 1000:1 contrast ratio. These are standard specs, but what’s unique about this model is it has what BenQ calls their Brightness Intelligence Plus Technology. Usually, most users tend to set their preferred settings and forget them, and only manually adjusting when needed. What this tech does is it detects your ambient conditions and automatically adjusts brightness, contrast, and color temps to match without sacrificing image integrity.
The feature also helps to keep your eyes free from strain, along with flicker-free operation and low blue light filters. Adjustments happen by the minute so that the BenQ EW2770QZ can maintain the screen as eye-friendly and the picture as accurate as possible. Once the function does its magic, a small icon appears at the bottom left to inform users that changes are occurring.
While the feature is excellent and a bold step towards improving the human condition while using computers, we can’t help but feel that there are slight inaccuracies that may occur during transitions. For starters, the screen might become too dark or still too bright depending on how each person perceives the images, or it may add a cooler hue which sensitive users may not like. Mind you, these results may vary from person to person, but our bottom line for the feature is that it is excellent and it works seamlessly.
But the real capabilities of the BenQ EW2770QZ’s IPS screen starts to impress when Brightness Intelligence mode is disabled. The screen can display 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut and 82% of the Adobe RGB gamut, and our attempts to tweak did not offer any improvements. Colors are lush and vibrant as it is, and our test images and Mass Effect Andromeda test proved these numbers to be accurate.
One downside, however, is the BenQ EW2770QZ’s contrast which drops to 700:1 at max brightness. This model cannot reach its specified 350cd/m2, but in our opinion, and setting it to anywhere from 25% to 50% is beneficial since it does improve contrast to around 800:1, which will then make blacks thick and oily instead of grayish. In doing so, our Mass Effect Andromeda session became even more pleasing, with its dark space atmosphere becoming even more engrossing.
But even if the game’s images appear excellent on the BenQ EW2770QZ, it isn’t a gaming monitor by any means. The slow pixel response induced some blurring and ghosting when combat ensued in our test, especially when the sequences became frantic. Although not as discouraging as it sounds, you are better off with a suitable gamer-centric model which costs more or less the same than this option.
Finally, the biggest missing feature we would love to have on the BenQ EW2770QZ is the inclusion of at least FreeSync, which is cost-free to implement considering the monitor is fully capable of it via DisplayPort 1.2. Arguably, the Brightness Intelligence is indeed worth its premium, but when the price approaches $500 for a 27-inch QHD model, we expect to see FreeSync since it is a modern standard in today’s latest and greatest displays.
Thoughts
The BenQ EW2770QZ is a fantastic representative of BenQ’s push for better technology and computer experience, but its value against the price tag is somewhat questionable. Although we agree that the panel is capable of superb images and the package well-designed, we can’t help but feel that most users will find this option too expensive for the segment it targets.
QHD entertainment good for movies or media enjoyment can be had for less, while some premium gaming monitors become within reach considering the price tag. However, if you ever you find that having fixed settings in a continuously changing room environment annoying, the BenQ EW2770QZ is an excellent and innovative answer to your needs. The fantastic panel which offers clarity and vibrancy should also provide enjoyable viewing for most needs if you can swallow the premium required for this advance model.
neptuniafan says
Benq’s non-gaming monitor tend to focus more on visuals than response time, their VA panels are a great example of that. Still, their new Brightness Intelligence Technology is interesting, and it is very convenient that you don’t have to calibrate your monitor to get decent colors, the monitor can do that for you.