Samsung S27B971D Monitor Review
by Chris Heinonen on October 31, 2013 12:00 PM ESTMy expectations for the Samsung S27B971D were high after seeing their demo at CES and how they calibrate displays. They increased when I opened the box and saw the calibration report with some pretty incredible numbers on it. While the initial out-of-box numbers didn’t really impress me, the post-calibration numbers made me sit up and take notice. They are the kind of numbers we hope to see in a display but so rarely do.
What I’ve been trying to figure out is where the Samsung S27B971D sits in the display hierarchy. It is a very interesting mix of features and performance that sits a bit on its own. From the post-calibration and uniformity data I’d tend to compare it to the NEC display, like the PA271W: very uniform, very accurate. But the NEC model offers the AdobeRGB gamut, much more refined on-screen controls, and a far more flexible stand; it isn’t nearly as attractive as the Samsung, but it has even better performance. Of course the Samsung also sells for $1,000 compared to the PA271W at $1,240, but Samsung lacks NEC’s initial accuracy.
Compared to a cheaper display like the Dell U2713HM, the Samsung can be more accurate but isn’t as flexible with placement and sells for over $400 more. It has a gamut that is no larger, and out of the box performance that isn’t any better. Input lag is roughly the same for gaming and the gamut is a bit worse. Unfortunately the Dell didn’t go through our updated CalMAN testing suite so we can’t compare uniformity data to see how it does. Even if the Dell is only average for uniformity, that’s a large difference in the two display prices.
What it really comes down to is if the Samsung was as accurate out of the box as it is after calibration, it would have a good target audience. People that want a highly accurate, high performance display but don’t need the AdobeRGB gamut. It would slot in just below the NEC displays that are out there. The person that this becomes ideal for is one that wants a very accurate, very uniform display and has their own calibration gear. Then you can coax this fantastic performance out of the Samsung S27B971D display and be competitive with a higher-end display. You won’t have the larger gamut, but you might not need it depending on your work.
How many people fit that narrow group? I really don’t know. I think the Samsung is an excellent performer post-calibration. It’s one of the best I’ve seen. I just think that with the pre-calibration numbers only being so-so it’s hard to recommend to either professionals, who can get the NEC, or to users without calibration gear, that can do just as well with the Dell. It feels strange to not recommend it just on the bench tests alone, but outside of a vacuum the performance doesn’t really matter if it doesn’t have a good target audience.
If you fit that small segment that would do well with the Samsung S27B971D it is a great display. I’m just not sure if that audience is very large for it the way the display ships right now. If the out-of-box calibration numbers from our testing could match Samsung's calibration report, it would be a bit easier to recommend, but if you're willing to spend $400 more than something like the Dell in order to get an accurate display, adding in another $200 to get an NEC and a wider gamut seems the way to go.
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Bateluer - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
Meh, the DisplayPort and HDMI are nice, but I paid less than that for two 27in WQHD displays a year ago. Samsung, get this to a 4K resolution and you'll have buyers in 2014.TridenT - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
Typo in your second graphic: 1iProLolimaster - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
And fix the awefull contrast, 500:1? What a joke.Minimum 1000-1100:1
cheinonen - Sunday, November 3, 2013 - link
The lower contrast will hurt performance for games and movies, yes. Typically on a display like this that is the trade-off to have a more uniform overall screen with a more controlled backlight. For many environments (graphic design, photography) the uniformity and color accuracy are both more essential than the contrast ratio.lkuzmanov - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
Does anyone know why displays aren't being factory calibrated? Surely it must be technically possible.cheinonen - Sunday, November 3, 2013 - link
It is. Look at the recent NEC PA242W for an example. However that is a 24", 1920x1200 display that sells for over $1,100, so you are paying for that calibration.DaveGirard - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
This looks like a great display for CG people where colour profiles are still AWOL with apps like ZBrush, Mudbox, etc. They assume you're using sRGB. But you still want a high-quality display. That said, it is a bit pricey compared to the dual Dell U2713HM monitors that I'm running quite happily.abhijeeth - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
This is indeed slotted in a narrow niche: would have been so much better if it had support for AdobeRGB.The NEC PA271W can be purchased new at B&H Photo for $859 (no Spectraview + Calibrator bundle). But it is so good out of the box that you don't need an external calibrator. Downside is that is is CCFL and some units have an audible high pitched whine when high contrast images are displayed.
The NEC PA272W is just launched and will be available in the US on Nov 18th for $1299. LED Backlight, wide gamut coverage takes care of Adobe RGB requirements. Good warranty and dead pixel policy.
There is also the ASUS PA279Q for around $850 (wide Gamut). Pre Cal numbers aren't outstanding out of the box (dE < 2 claimed) but cleans up after post calibration. Has overshoot ghosting though.
Then there is the ViewSonic VP2772 for $990 (wide Gamut support).
In the 30inchers, the Dell U3014 is frequently on sale for $940ish. Can get a refurb directly from Dell for $640. Have to get Rev A03 though ;-)
There is the new HP Z30i (wide Gamut) for $1299.
All the new ones use LG's new semi glossy (satin/pearl finish) coating and not the grainy coatings of old 1st gen panels (the PA271W falls into this category unfortunately)
Having considered all this, the Samsung is indeed overpriced for what it offers. Stiff competition all around.
Alan G - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
This monitor is dead in the water for anyone doing photography who needs an expanded color gamut. There's a reason why NEC monitors are the goto here. I don't care about how easy it is to use the OSD; I'm using software calibration.abhijeeth - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
Alan,Agreed. By software calibration - are you using software to write to your video card LUT or the 14bit 3axis LUT inside the monitor. The interface bit depth is different (8 or 10bit per color depending on interface used) to the internal bit depth for storing the color info.
Using the monitor internal LUT has significant advantages for Color Management. ( you may be already aware of this, so, sorry if this is redundant). Just thought it might be worth mentioning.