- Overall
The LG 34WK650 offers an impressively-sized screen that includes must-have specifications at a very attractive price point that borders on cheap. The 2560 x 1080 resolution is a bit lower than other new models, but the multitasking and gaming value of the extra real estate is where it’s at. The LG 34WK650 is one of the cheapest 34-inch displays in the market, making us wonder what kind of cut corners the product went through to make ends meet.
LG 34WK650 Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution:2560 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching(IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 52” x 22.48” x 9.1”
- Weight:16.76 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 34WK650 sports the brand’s latest direction in aesthetic treatment composed of clean lines and sophisticated color schemes. The 34-inch monitor is bezel-free on three sides, although you have to deal with panel borders. Up front, the monitor looks clean with an appeal that certainly looks beyond its actual asking price.
The monitor ships in three, easy to assemble pieces that snap in place without any need for tools. Even if this model is at the lower price spectrum of the brand, build quality is still robust and reliable just like its upmarket cousins. There are no uneven seams or burrs on the edges of the parts, indicating that this model underwent a decent manufacturing procedure.
The rear of the chassis for the LG 34WK650 comes in white matched to a silver stand which offers excellent ergonomics. You can tilt, swivel, and adjust the height of the monitor for convenience and comfort. It’s also worth noting that this model is VESA-compatible for wall mounting or if you are using an aftermarket armature on your desk.
The connectivity panel of the LG 34WK650 includes DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 slots for video inputs. There are no legacy ports such as VGA nor any USB receptacles which are valuable for accessories and peripherals. The package includes white cables to match the look of the monitor, making this a suitable choice if you are building a themed build.
The LG 34WK650 also includes a pair of 5-Watt speakers which are decent sounding if you consider the price. The output is sufficiently clear for music listening, but pumping up the volume muddles the audio. We still recommend a separate set or headsets, but it’s impressive that LG managed to squeeze the pair in at this price.
Display and Performance
The LG 34WK650 boasts a 34-Inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1080 resolution, 5ms response time, and 75Hz refresh rate. The 300cd/m2 WLED backlight and 1000:1 static contrast ratio specified means that the monitor isn’t capable of true HDR like the Asus PG27UQ or the Dell UP2718Q. The monitor doesn’t come equipped with special edge-array or FALD lighting, meaning there will be a filter or emulation of HDR10 imagery.
One of the downsides of the LG 34WK650’s lower resolution is its loose pixel density which may make images grainy or reveal the individual pixels. While we agree that a 3440 x 1440 resolution works best in this size, we can say at the display is decent enough for regular use. The image out feels like a 27-inch 1080p screen, which in our opinion, doesn’t look bad when it’s gaming and movie enjoyment that you are after.
What’s fantastic about the LG 34WK650 is it needs little calibration right out of the box. The AH-IPS panel is capable of nearly 100% sRGB coverage, with a Delta E average of 2.0 which is golden when it comes to default outputs. DCI-P3 coverage isn’t ideal for HDR imaging at 75%, but its commendable for a budget monitor like this one.
The Gamma for the LG 34WK650 averaged a perfect 2.2, but the tracking is slightly off which created some loss of details in some scenarios. The monitor’s contrast ratio of 980:1 is commendable as far as regular monitors are concerned, but we are looking for higher numbers when HDR is involved. When HDR is activated, these numbers somehow worsen since the screen turns bluish or a bit cool-looking.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tweak the LG 34WK650’s OSD once its HDR10 mode is active. You are stuck with the cool tint of the screen when viewing HDR content, although we know some users like the subdued look, especially in movies. The monitor’s value in HDR performance is subjective, and we can say we’ve seen better, but also remember the price range of this model.
One of the strong suites of the LG 34WK650 is the excellent panel uniformity which is surprising for a budget monitor. We did not record any deviances going beyond 7% from the center, meaning the screen is nicely lit and evenly vibrant. We’ve noticed some degradation in colors on the extreme sides, but this flaw is barely noticeable when the display is in use.
The LG 34WK650 also includes FreeSync compatibility to complement its 75Hz refresh rate which is decent for gaming. The two capabilities combine to improve your visual experience in titles such as the Witcher 3 or Dota 2. Input lag averages at 9ms which makes the monitor responsive to every command.
Thoughts on the LG 34WK650
The LG 34WK650 is an excellent monitor not because it has cutting-edge specs, but because it does an incredible job at every fundamental aspect of a computer display. For a little over $300, you get a large display with accurate color and balance. The HDR10 mode is just a bonus, even if it could use some tweaking and a bit of freedom in adjustments.
Gaming and movies look great despite the low pixel density, which we think, is the only deal breaker of the monitor. A higher, 3440 x 1440 QHD resolution is better suited to this model, but then again, you can get that at this price. 16:9 monitors which can match the LG 34WK650’s imaging performance sometimes cost half a grand, making this option a practical and a must buy product.
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