Pros:
- Affordable
- Great Color Accuracy
- Timeless Design
Cons:
- Gamma Needs Improvement
- 60Hz
The LG 34WL75C is a pre-calibrated IPS monitor with a 3440 x 1440 resolution that aims to provide excellent image quality for a variety of uses. The price makes it an attractive entry-level option for photo and video editing, plus it’s great for multitasking and casual gaming. We’re still skeptical about $500 ultrawides, but let’s test and see If the LG 34WL75C delivers above its price point.
LG 34WL75C Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution:3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Response Time: 5ms
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height –Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2 3.5 Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 32.1” x 18.1” x 9.9”
- Weight: 17.6 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 34WL75C looks subdued compared to the brand’s upper-market offerings, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for users who want something simpler. The device has a matte black finish all over, giving it a clean and stealthy look. The display is bezel-free on three sides, so the already larger display can at times look bigger.
This makes the LG 34WL75C ideal for multi-monitor setups aside from simply looking good and modern. We imagine most users won’t need more than 3440 x 1440, but expansive workflows in video edits could use the extra space. Keep in mind that you will need a custom desk if you plan to have two or three of this model for your workstation.
We’re glad LG did not cheapen the build quality of the LG 34WL75C, even if it’s from their midrange line of ultrawide displays. The plastics feel solid and thick, while the mechanisms on the stand are smooth and firm enough to hold your desired angle. We did not notice any cosmetic or physical defects, indicating that the firm’s quality control is on point.
You don’t have to deal with pesky buttons if you opt for the LG 34WL75C thanks to its six-axis joystick and the exclusive On-Screen Control function. The latter lets you control or tweak the settings directly from your OS desktop with a mouse. This eliminates the hassle of reaching over to press buttons to adjust brightness or switch between presets, especially in the dark.
The LG 34WL75C also features the LG ArcLine design stand which adds a sophisticated appeal to the brand’s monitors. You only get height and tilt adjustments, but frankly, that’s all you will need for curved ultrawide displays. You can opt for VESA mounts since the cabinet only weights 13 lbs, but getting one that can accommodate an ultrawide can get expensive.
The upright’s placement towards the apex of the arc makes it easy to place the LG 34WL75C closer to a wall. The base does take up a lot of width, but its crescent shape frees up the middle for your items such as mobile phones or stream deck. The device only takes up ten inches of depth, so it’s essentially like any other monitor in that regard.
One of the omissions the LG 34WL75C received to help it meet its price point is the omission of valuable extras such as USB ports. You will still find two HDMI 2.0 ports and a DisplayPort at the rear, which frankly, is all you will ever need for daily use. The rear-firing orientation of the connectors makes it easy to slot cables in, but it could make cable management difficult.
The LG 34WL75C also doesn’t have speakers like the 34WL85C which has a powerful 7-watt pair. Most users would already have headsets or separate sets, but we miss having a capable audio solution for background music while grinding down tasks.
Display and Performance
The LG 34WL75C sports a 34-inch IPS panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution. 60Hz refresh rate, and 5ms response time. The backlight has a minimum brightness of 240 cd/m2 and a typical output of 300 cd/m2, while contrast sits at the usual 1000:1 on the spec sheet. These specifications are not meant for gaming, but the considerably wider screen is fantastic for it even if the refresh rate is lower.
The LG 34WL75C’s screen has a pixel density of around 110PPI, so you get an upgrade in sharpness and virtual screen space compared to your office display. Graphics and images will look sharper and more detailed, but the effect isn’t excessive enough to warrant the use of scaling for reading and browsing. However, you will need a ton of GPU horsepower to play games at a constant 60FPS at ultra settings, so the refresh limit for this model isn’t so bad.
The LG 34WL75C is capable of 99.5% coverage of the sRGB gamut and an average accuracy of only Delta E 2.05. This means that LG’s claims and factory calibration are spot on, ensuring that the monitor is ready for use once it’s out of the box. Color temperature exceeds the 6500K point, but it’s not at a level where you will need to apply tweaks to the color settings in the OSD.
The IPS panel in the LG 34WL75C is also capable of decent contrast, reaching as much as 1020:1 at moderate brightness settings. The screen can still look slightly grayish in the dark with black images, but that’s an acceptable limitation of IPS technology. Gamma, on the other hand, is slightly deviating at 2.1, so some scenes may look too bright.
Panel uniformity for the LG 34WL75C sample was affected by minor leaks along the top bezel. A little clouding can become visible when viewing an all-black image, but the resulting drop in vibrancy and contrast are mostly unnoticeable in games and movies. Of course, this aspect varies between unit to unit since there some manufacturing tolerances in play.
On the other hand, you can’t rely on the LG 34WL75C when it comes to blur reduction due to the natural characteristics of the panel and the 60Hz refresh rate. Some ghosting will appear in fast-paced games and drastic color shifts, especially in titles like BFV or Modern Warfare. You can lessen this issue with the overdrive in the OSD, but we can only recommend using the middle or Fast setting since the maximum will induce noticeable overshoot.
The LG 34WL75C supports FreeSync, and G-Sync works if you try to activate it manually via Nvidia Control Panel. However, we can’t guarantee that there will be no issues if you are an Nvidia user since the monitor has not been tested and certified by the brand. Input lag sits at 10ms which is decent for a 60Hz screen, so there will be annoying delays while playing.
Thoughts on the LG 34WL75C
The LG 34WL75C is a well-rounded ultrawide monitor for a little under $500 thanks to its accurate IPS panel and versatility. The monitor is ideal for all types of PC usage such as gaming and editing, so you can’t go wrong with buying it. The design has always worked for many tastes and is quite durable, ensuring that you can maximize the value of every dollar spent through the years.
The LG 34WL75C is factory calibrated, but there are a few missed points such as the gamma which makes the screen a bit brighter than it should be. However, these issues are very minor and most would barely notice the difference unless you have a colorimeter-treated monitor next to it. The LG 34WL75C is an excellent buy if you are looking for an ultrawide budget monitor with superb performance in image quality.
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Leave a Reply