LG Ultragear Evo GX9 overview: An costly, however improbable OLED monitor

Finest Costs Right now: LG Ultragear Evo 39GX950B-B

LG has a protracted historical past of launching huge new OLED displays at sky-high pricing, and whereas they’re usually troublesome to afford, they’re normally nice displays. The LG Ultragear Evo GX9 continues this lineage with a 39-inch 5K2K panel that delivers improbable SDR and HDR picture high quality. It’s costly, however it’s value it.

Learn on to study extra, then see our roundup of one of the best gaming displays for comparability.

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 (39GX950B-B) specs and options

The LG Ultragear Evo GX9 isn’t your typical ultrawide OLED show. It gives an unusual 39-inch show measurement, an LG tandem WOLED show, and a excessive most decision of 5120×2160.

Collectively, these options make the Evo GX9 a novel monitor. You’ll discover different 39-inch OLED ultrawides, and others with 5120×2160 decision, and others with a tandem WOLED panel, however the Evo GX9 is the one monitor that at the moment combines them.

• Show measurement: 39-inch 21:9 ultrawide
• Native decision: 5120×2160 / 2560×1080
• Panel sort: LG tandem WOLED
• Refresh price: 5120×2160@165Hz / 2560×1080@330Hz
• Adaptive sync: Sure, Nvidia G-Sync Appropriate, AMD FreeSync Premium Professional
• HDR: HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 licensed
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x USB-C with DisplayPort and 90 watts of Energy Supply, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 downstream
• Audio: Constructed-in audio system
• Extra options: AI upscaling and movie optimization
• Guarantee: 2-year restricted guarantee
• Value: $1,799.99 MSRP

This mixture doesn’t come low cost, although. The LG Ultragear Evo GX9 has an MSRP of $1,799.99. That’s some huge cash and, as a result of the monitor is new and distinctive, it’s unlikely to see speedy reductions.

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 design

The LG Ultragear Evo GX9 is a 39-inch ultrawide, and whereas it’s not the primary I’ve seen, it did remind me that this way issue is somewhat glorious. Whereas I like 34-inch ultrawides effectively sufficient, a 39-inch ultrawide gives a pleasant improve in show actual property (roughly 30 % greater than a 34-inch ultrawide) — but, at 36 inches vast, it’s going to nonetheless match on most desks.

LG’s stand design helps, too. The stand base is strong but compact and flat, so it doesn’t really feel obtrusive in your desk or take away from usable area. Ergonomic adjustment is respectable, too, with help for top, tilt, and swivel adjustment (although, at an MSRP of $1,799.99, I’d anticipate that).

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The show has a 1500R curve, which is typical for this kind of monitor. I personally want a much less dramatic curve, or none in any respect, however I didn’t discover it overly annoying or distracting.

Construct high quality is sufficient. Except for the stand, which is partially fabricated from metallic, the monitor’s physique is plastic. The plastics used really feel inflexible and don’t enable a lot flex, however the total really feel is sufficient greater than it’s spectacular.

On the rear of the monitor you’ll discover LG’s “hexagon lighting” accent gentle. The colour and impact might be set to varied colours and patterns, as is typical of gaming displays. Nevertheless, in contrast to some displays from manufacturers comparable to Asus and Alienware, LG doesn’t present a option to sync the monitor’s lighting with different gadgets.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 connectivity

LG affords 4 video enter choices on the Ultragear Evo GX9; two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 2.1, and one USB-C with DisplayPort. This can be a typical vary of connectivity for a monitor and may work for many conditions. You possibly can join two recreation consoles, a desktop PC, and a laptop computer PC (with USB-C) concurrently.

The USB-C port consists of as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply. Whereas I anticipate that on a monitor with the Evo GX9’s sky-high price ticket, it’s good to see, as displays branded as gaming shows nonetheless typically omit it. The USB-C port is right if you wish to use each a laptop computer and desktop, because the USB-C connection has sufficient energy to deal with many Home windows laptops that lack discrete graphics.

USB hub help is a bit missing, although, because the monitor has simply two USB-A 3.2 downstream ports. That’s higher than nothing, however it’s additionally no higher than what you’ll usually discover on inexpensive shows. The Evo GX9 additionally lacks a USB-B upstream port.

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 menus and options

A joystick centered simply behind the LG Ultragear Evo GX9’s chin is used to navigate the on-screen menus. It’s responsive and the on-screen menus are logically organized. The vary of picture high quality choices is a bit missing, nevertheless. Particularly, I don’t like that the monitor has imprecise descriptions of gamma and shade temperature settings (comparable to “Mode 1”) as an alternative of concentrating on exact gamma and shade temperature values.

LG makes some fuss over the monitor’s AI options, however they’re not nice.

The AI upscaling mode claims that it may possibly improve content material to enhance element and readability, but when it had any affect, I struggled to see it. I attempted a number of totally different types of low decision content material—photographs, 720p video, and video games operating at half native decision—and by no means noticed any enchancment from the AI upscaling characteristic.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

LG’s AI picture optimization, then again, was actively annoying. After I arrange the monitor I rapidly seen that the show’s shade temperature shifted at random. This, it turned out, is brought on by the AI picture optimization characteristic. I like to recommend that you simply flip it off.

LG affords a number of software program utilities together with LG Swap (to handle totally different video sources) and LG calibration studio. They cowl the fundamentals however really feel disjointed. LG sadly lacks a unified show supervisor like that offered by Asus, Dell/Alienware, Acer, and some different manufacturers.

Different options embody picture-and-picture and picture-in-picture modes, flicker-free and color-weakness modes, and OLED care, although the Evo GX9 notably lacks the automated brightness discount and/or show sleep options that some new OLEDs use to handle panel burn-in. Whereas I don’t assume that’s a giant situation, I’m upset by its absence given the GX9’s excessive value.

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 audio

Audio system are in-built to the LG Ultragear Evo GX9, however they’re not superb. They supply a good most quantity and work superb for much less complicated audio, whether or not that’s a podcast or a spherical of Vampire Survivors. Nevertheless, they’re rapidly overwhelmed by the bass in additional demanding audio sources like music, films, and video games with a sophisticated audio presentation. The sound comes throughout as skinny and tinny and element is misplaced within the low finish.

Nonetheless, the audio system are at the very least current, which isn’t assure even amongst costly displays. I wouldn’t depend on them as my solely supply of audio however you may discover them sufficient if you happen to largely use a headset however on uncommon event need to hearken to one thing through audio system.

LG does present an AI audio optimization characteristic, however very similar to the AI picture optimization, it’s dangerous. The audio optimization characteristic usually made the audio sound badly compressed. I seen this most when dialogue was spoken over different loud noises or music. Maybe the intent is to make dialogue simpler to listen to, however I don’t assume it really works. Happily, the AI audio optimization ca be turned off.

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 picture high quality

The LG Ultragear Evo GX9’s total connectivity and have set is a bit weak for the worth, however for many consumers it’s picture high quality that may decide whether or not the monitor is a purchase or a move.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

First up is brightness, the place the Evo GX9 reaches a good sustained most SDR brightness of 310 nits. Although it’s not the brightest OLED, it’s a protracted methods from the dimmest. A brightness of 310 nits is greater than sufficient to be used in a room with good gentle management.

Nevertheless, the monitor can nonetheless look barely dim in a room with sunlit home windows. Happily the difficulty is considerably mitigated by the monitor’s matte end. That is significantly essential for a curved monitor, as a result of curved displays tend to amplify sources of glare which are behind the person. The Evo GX9 vastly reduces this situation.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Glorious distinction is assumed for an OLED monitor, and the Evo GX9 isn’t any exception. It affords an amazing sense of depth, deep black ranges, and an total partaking picture. It’s not particular in these areas, nevertheless. OLED displays supply these traits as a rule.

What in regards to the Acer Predator X34 X0? It’s a Mini-LED monitor, so it’s not able to matching OLED on distinction. This goes to point out that even Mini-LED, which is mostly nearly as good because it will get for distinction from an LED backlight monitor, nonetheless can’t compete with OLED distinction.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Subsequent up is shade gamut. The Evo GX9 as soon as once more does effectively right here with protection of 100% of sRGB, 99 % of DCI-P3, and 93 % of AdobeRGB. Because the graph reveals, these values are usually aggressive with different OLED shows. QD-OLED displays just like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G60SF are likely to perform a little worse in DCI-P3 and a bit of higher in AdobeRGB, however that is splitting hairs. For most individuals, together with plenty of inventive professionals, all of those displays supply a vivid picture with loads of shade protection.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Coloration accuracy, then again, is a little bit of a wrinkle for the Evo GX9. A median shade error of two.53 continues to be pretty respectable total, however because the graph reveals, displays of this caliber (and value) have a tendency to supply extra correct shade and a few displays, just like the Alienware AW3425DW, are exceptionally correct out of the field.

The Evo GX9’s gamma, then again, was strong with an on-target default gamma curve of two.2. That signifies the picture seems to be about as vivid because it ought to, and it’s notable as a result of OLED displays can typically skew in direction of 2.3, which causes them to look a shade darker than they need to.

Coloration temperature, then again, got here in at 6700K with the GX9 at 50 % brightness. This can be a bit cooler than it must be, and it’s noticeable, although not obvious. The colour temperature skews cooler because the monitor turns into brighter and hotter as brightness is decreased, although it was nonetheless at 6600K with the monitor set to its minimal brightness.

Sharpness is a giant a part of the Evo GX9’s story, and likewise a giant optimistic. The Evo GX9 has a local decision of 5120×2160 which, throughout the 39-inch ultrawide panel, works out to a pixel density of 143 pixels per inch.

That’s not as sharp as a 27-inch 4K monitor, however it beats a typical 34-inch OLED ultrawide with 3440×1440 decision (which have roughly 110 pixels per inch) and completely demolishes older 39-inch OLED ultrawides with that very same decision (which have simply 96 pixels per inch).

The upshot is that the Evo GX9 seems to be extraordinarily sharp in almost all conditions, from video games to the Home windows desktop. Sure, I can see some aliasing and pixelation if I lean in in direction of the show, however it’s not readily seen on the distance I usually sit from the monitor (which, on this case, is about three ft).

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 HDR picture high quality

The LG Ultragear Evo GX9 helps HDR10 and is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 licensed. Certainly, that arguably undersells it, as a result of the Evo GX9 can ship as much as simply over 1,000 nits of brightness.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

That worth was recorded in a 3 % window, that means solely 3 % of the show was lit. That is the extent of brightness you may see when an explosion momentarily lights up the show, and it’s in direction of the excessive finish of what I’ve recorded from an OLED monitor.

However there’s extra to the story than that, because the Evo GX9 was additionally brighter than most rivals on the 50 % and 100% home windows. Which means the Evo GX9 tends to be brighter than rivals in all conditions.

On a closing notice, the Evo GX9 consists of an HDR brightness adjustment. Which means you possibly can flip down the HDR brightness if desired. This characteristic is changing into extra widespread, however it’s nonetheless removed from common, and I discover it’s usually important. HDR content material isn’t created with a pc monitor in thoughts, and content material can at instances turn out to be overwhelmingly vivid.

LG Ultragear Evo GX9 movement efficiency

Movement efficiency is arguably a little bit of a weak spot for the LG Ultragear Evo GX9. The monitor can supply a refresh price as much as 165Hz at 5120×2160 decision, which isn’t dangerous.

Nevertheless, I have to admit I’ve been a bit of spoiled by my current critiques of ultra-high-refresh displays just like the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W, which may hit 540Hz (or 720Hz at 720p). The Evo GX9’s movement readability is nice for what it’s, however on the finish of the day a 165Hz refresh price will at all times look way more blurred and fewer exact than a monitor that may hit 240Hz, 360Hz, 480Hz, or past.

Maybe for that cause, the LG Ultragear Evo GX9 helps a dual-mode characteristic that may cut back the decision to 2560×1080 in change for a refresh price of 330Hz. Truthfully, I believe this characteristic is a bust. The discount in decision is clear and movement readability is noticeably improved, however it’s nonetheless not going to match one of the best OLEDs for movement readability.

Whereas I could sound a bit down on the Evo GX9’s movement readability, the truth is much less harsh. If I had been spending my very own cash, I’d purchase a lower-refresh ultrawide just like the Evo GX9 over a higher-refresh widescreen any day of the week.  Nonetheless, it’s one thing to remember earlier than you press the purchase button.

Must you purchase the LG Evo GX9?

The LG Ultragear Evo GX9 is beautiful. Great. Glorious. Superior. The 39-inch 5K2K panel isn’t excellent, however it hits a lot of the proper marks. For me, that is precisely the best measurement, and it delivers on all of the features of picture high quality I care about most. The monitor seems to be equally nice taking part in an older SDR recreation, like Ultimate Fantasy XIV, and a more moderen HDR recreation, like Forza Horizon 6.

That’s to not say it’s excellent. The $1,799.99 MSRP is an apparent impediment that may maintain many patrons from pulling the set off. That value would really feel simpler to tolerate if the Evo GX9 was jam-packed with options, however in some areas it’s missing and a few options which are included, just like the AI picture upscaling and optimization, fail to ship any worth.

Nonetheless, the Evo GX9 is a straightforward monitor to advocate, and it’s among the many finest gaming displays obtainable proper now. If you’d like a giant, immersive show for racing video games, simulation titles, MMORPGs, or some other recreation that advantages from plenty of show actual property, the Evo GX9 is an effective alternative.