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KTC H27P3 27in monitor: 30-second review
The KTC 27in 5K IPS (H27P3) is a stylish 5K monitor with dual display mode that enables you to switch the resolution and refresh rate from a work-ready 5K@60Hz to QHD 1440×2560@120Hz if you fancy gaming.
Getting set up is straightforward with the stand slotting to the back of the monitor and a single screw securing the base. It’s simple but solid.
Connection to the computer can be made through a single USB-C cable, but equally, you can connect with an HDMI or DP, giving a good amount of options, and all three connection options support the full resolution and refresh rate. The only other cable you need is the power cable. At the same time, the stand is minimalistic with a single slot, which is only large enough to weave through the USB-C cable, while the power cable just hangs loose with no real cable management.
In use, the monitor’s display really comes through, with the 5K resolution and screen quality looking great. Working in Photoshop, Premiere Pro and utilising standard productivity apps such as Word, the quality of the display did stand out, especially considering the price point.
Checking that quality against benchmarking tests with Spyder X2 started to show the balance of the price against colour gamut and overall screen uniformity. However, even considering the price, the performance is exceptionally good.
If you are in the market for one of the best 5K monitors suitable for general office work with a heavy slant at creative use as well, then the KTC H27P3 actually weighs in very well. My one major point would be to look for a more adjustable stand option; however, the fact that there is a VESA mount on the back makes this small upgrade exceptionally easy.
KTC H27P3 27in monitor: Price & availability
- How much does it cost? $569
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Widely available
At present, the KTC 27″ 5K IPS (H27P3) is available directly through the KTC website for $569.99 by clicking here. It’s also available through most major online retailers, including Amazon.com here.
KTC H27P3 27in monitor: Design
Specifications
Ports: USB‑C (65W), HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 2× USB3.0, Headphone out
Screen size: 27″ (diagonal)
Resolution: 5120 × 2880 (5K)@60Hz (2560×1440@120Hz)
Dimensions: 614 width x 365 height x 41 to 8 – Full height 453mm
Weight: 3715 g
Accessories: Power adapter, USB‑C cable, HDMI/DP cable
The KTC H27P3 is one of the most minimalistic monitors on the market, with the large display surrounded by a thin bezel around three sides and a slightly thicker bezel at the base. The design is slimline with all ports on the base, ensuring that it can be pushed up neatly against a wall if desk space is at a premium. One of the key features of the design is the T-shaped stand, which is far more discreet than you find on most monitors of this size and type. Whilst I initially loved the concept, through the period of the test, the lack of adjustment that this also brings did prove to be an issue. However, if you don’t get on with the stand, then there is the option to attach a standard VESA mount at the back.
The screen surface is something that really impresses with a well-balanced matt finish that makes it ideal for office use, where lighting and building design can be an issue, with more reflective screens causing glare and overbearing reflections. Here, the finish is well-balanced.
When it comes to the size and weight of the monitor, that 27″ display is housed in a case that measures 614 width x 365 height x 41 to 8 mm thickness for the monitor without taking the height of the stand into account, and unfortunately, there’s no height adjustment from the included stand meaning the height from the desktop surface to the top of the monitor is 453mm. Likewise, when it comes to the angle adjustment on the desk, that is also fixed, with the only real adjustability over the positioning coming from the angle tilt that enables 15º forward and 5º backward movement.
Under the monitor is a limited but decent selection of ports, including USB‑C, which can be used to connect directly to your computer and offer PD power at up to 65W, as well as display data. Then there’s HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4. Alongside the display options are two USB3.0 ports so you can connect a mouse and keyboard, and as the monitor doesn’t feature built-in speakers, there’s also a headphone out socket. The monitor also requires its own power source through the AC adapter, and this again features a relatively large transformer that you can hide under the desk, which allows for that slightly slimmer profile of the monitor.
KTC H27P3 27in monitor: Features
The 5K resolution (5120×2880) is the headline feature of this monitor, and that’s backed by a decent 60Hz refresh rate, making it an ideal option for office work. However, this monitor also offers a dual function, which means that you can switch from the high 5K resolution for office and creative work to QHD, which drops the resolution down to 2560 x 1440 but enables the refresh rate to be boosted to 120Hz. So, if you want to do a bit of gaming after a day’s work, then this monitor is a great option.
Connections are also well catered for with a selection of USB-C, HDMI and DP, and it’s good to see that there are two USB Type-A ports so that this can be used as a basic hub if you’re connecting up a laptop or portable Mini PC.
What differentiates this monitor from other 5K monitors in this price bracket is the quality of the display and the ability to show a wide colour gamut, with the quoted values of 100% sRGB, 99% DCI‑P3. As is more common with creative-focused monitors, the unit has been pre-calibrated in the factory prior to shipping, so it should be ready to go out of the box.
The DCI-P3 at 99% is great to see and does mean that for anyone requiring a monitor for creative work where colour accuracy is critical, this monitor should fit the bill for light to mid-level design work. The manufacturer doesn’t quote the AdobeRGB values, which are usually only offered by mid-range and higher-end professional monitors, and for high-end professional work. If AdobeRGB is listed in the features, then it’s often a good indicator that the monitor is going to be expensive.
While the monitor doesn’t quote the AdobeRGB colour space, it does show that it’s also rated ΔE<2. This essentially means that the colour accuracy is good, so the colours you see on screen should reflect those in real life, rather than being hyper-real, which is what you want for gaming.
With a 500cd/㎡ brightness, contrast ratio of 2000:1 and 271 PPI pixel density, the specifications, considering the price, are impressive. The feature set essentially makes it a great option for the workplace, especially where creative work is required.
KTC H27P3 27in monitor: Performance
Display quality:
Tested with the Datacolor Spyder X2
Gamut 5.0
Tone response 4.5
Contrast 5.0
Luminance Uniformity 3.5
Colour Uniformity 4.5
Colour Accuracy 4.5
Overall 4.5
Opening the monitor box, and everything is packed neatly inside. As the monitor is removed, the first thing that struck me was the build quality. While the price tag isn’t particularly cheap in the grand scheme of 5K monitors of this type, it is at the entry level. The build quality, however, feels good and solid, and the rear of the monitor features an almost mirror-finish black gloss surface, while the display is matte with a minimalistic bezel around the edge that gives it a good premium feel.
Setting up takes a few minutes, with the stand bolting into the back of the monitor before cables, a USB-C and AC power, are installed in the ports on the underside of the monitor. It all feels very neat and minimalistic.
While there might be limited ability to adjust the height and angle, it actually sits at a decent working height. What I also liked about the stand was that there are some cut-outs, and while these are too thin to feed through the power cable, you can at least zip-tie them in place or 3D print a bespoke cable tidy that can easily clip in place. I would recommend the Prusa CORE ONE as a great 3D printer for this type of work
Out of the box, the screen calibration did seem exceptionally good, matching my MacBook Pro well. Running through the benchmarking tests using Spyder X2 highlighted that once again, considering the cost of the monitor, it is actually well balanced, coming out with an overall rating of 4.5, with several of the tests highlighting scores of above 4, most notably the colour accuracy, tone response and colour uniformity, all showing that for the intended market of creatives and office workers, this is a great budget choice.
It is worth noting that, through the test, while the general quality of the monitor’s display was good, sRGB and REC709 both recorded 100% results, showing that, for standard video editing, this is an ideal choice. If you’re editing HDR footage in REC2020, then it is limited to 73% coverage.
More importantly, the P3 results came in at 98%, just 1% lower than the quoted value, and checking AdobeRGB, this came in at 88%, which highlights that for non-critical photographic work, it should be fine, but for high-end publishing and photo studios, it’s just off the mark.
While using the monitor, there were a few other points of interest. The first was just how clear the monitor is, it’s just a great visual display, and the matte surface finish really does help to cut down reflections and gives an overall quality look and feel. While in this review, I have only been looking at a single display, the thin bezel on the edges also means that if you’re going for a three- or two-monitor setup for Mac, then the monitors will sit very neatly next to each other.
In the same vein, due to the fixed nature of the stand, additional monitors will also match up very neatly.
KTC has left the front of the monitor very simplistic, and this is something that I like. However, there is also an extensive array of menu options that can be accessed through the small joystick control on the back of the monitor. This is exceptionally well thought out and detailed, and there are plenty of options for adjusting the monitor, including the DualMode. This option essentially switches the monitor from 5K high resolution to 2K for gaming, with a boost in refresh rate that enables smoother graphics. It’s a great feature to have.
KTC H27P3 27in monitor: Final verdict
Considering the price, the KTC 27in 5K IPS (H27P3) is an outstanding monitor that offers a good entry point into high-quality, visually accurate displays. The design is simplistic, with clean edges that enable it to be paired up with other models to create a neat three or more monitor setup, with the thin bezel enabling those monitors to get nice and close to maximise the screen real estate.
The stand, while a little limited on adjustment, does make sense, and the height for the size of the monitor is sufficient. The design does free up a little more space around the monitor than you would usually expect for this size of screen. The intended audience, which is creators and office workers, will inevitably VESA mount this anyway, for which it is perfectly designed.
When it comes to connectivity, there’s a good, balanced volume, and the more you look at the monitor, the more obvious it becomes that KTC has struck a balance with the features, investing where it counts. For that reason, there are no speakers, and the stand is basic. But, on the other hand, the display is excellent, the matte finish helps to properly reduce glare and reflections, and the colour and luminance uniformity, while not perfect, is exceptionally good for this scale and price of monitor.
If you work in a professional photo, pre-press studio or print business where colour accuracy in the AdobeRGB colour space, and beyond is essential, then you are still going to have to spend the extra for a mid to high-end monitor of this type. Likewise, for HDR video, the colour space is once again restrictive. However, for all content creators and any office that needs a decent creative monitor, the fact that it reaches P3 colour gamut highlights just how good it is.
Should I buy a KTC H27P3 27in monitor?
|
Value |
High-quality 5K monitor with decent colour and tone at a great price |
4.5 |
|
Design |
This monitor might be aimed at the entry level for its type, but it’s still exceptionally well made |
4 |
|
Features |
Dual resolution option, P3 colour accuracy and high resolution — not bad at the price |
4.5 |
|
Performance |
Well balanced for the intended market and price point |
4.5 |
|
Overall |
Great solution for offices and content creators where colour is important but not critical |
4.5 |
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