KTC 32 Inch Curved Monitor

KTC 32 Inch FHD 1080p Curved Gaming Monitor Review

Table Of Contents

Introduction

The KTC 32 Inch FHD 1080p Curved Gaming Monitor is designed for gaming enthusiasts seeking a high-performance display. This review takes a closer look at its features and performance, helping you determine if it’s the right fit for your gaming setup or home office needs.

Hands-On Experience

I felt like I was taking a huge chance on this monitor - I've never owned a VA panel before, but honestly, I can't tell the difference between this and the IPS panel it replaced. This monitor was hard shopping for because there are a number of negative reviews that mentioned issues that were all fixed by a firmware update. I 100% recommend installing the firmware update. You can find it on KTC's page, under Product Support, Specifications; find the M27T20, and select your firmware. Do make sure you install the correct firmware (there is a US version and a UK version), or you risk bricking the monitor.

Out of the box, I could see what they were talking about, but when I updated the firmware, it was like a whole new monitor. HDR began behaving as expected, local dimming works seamlessly with VRR enabled, and I haven't encountered any display issues. Because of local dimming, there is always a glow around very bright objects when on a black background. For the most part, it's hardly ever noticeable, and when it is, I actually think it looks cool. There is an HDR-Auto mode which makes the desktop look great, and you can disable HDR in windows by pressing Win+ALT+B.

The monitor stand seems pretty good, but I mounted the monitor on my own 2-arm monitor stand with very little difficulty. SDR picture looks AMAZING at 500 nit brightness, it's the best I've ever seen, and HDR gets incredibly bright. This is the closest thing you can get to true HDR without an OLED monitor. Viewing angles are really much better than I expected. I expected there to be color travel if you weren't looking at the screen dead-on, but to my surprise, I can't seem to get that color distortion or travel no matter what angle I'm looking at it. Black levels are incredible, and it's just a great experience all around.

The only issue I've found is the built-in FPS counter doesn't seem to work. I haven't tried it with VRR turned off, but with it turned on, it basically says 144 FPS 90% of the time, and will occasionally give you an accurate read. This is obviously not a deal-breaker, but I did look forward to having this feature enabled without software.

The monitor also powers on a little slowly. This is also not a dealbreaker, but I do wish it would just turn on quicker. One feature that I didn't expect - and I'm not sure if it's a feature or just a glitch - it seems to have 4K emulation. It allows Windows to select 4K resolution, but it's apparently running in 2K. This is useful if you're playing video for Disney Plus, which only gives you HDR with 4K video.

I've never heard of KTC before, but apparently, they've been making outsourced panels for Samsung, LG, and Viewsonic for a very long time. Maybe this is just the beginning of them making their own end products? This panel absolutely exceeds my expectations, and I may end up becoming brand-loyal to them! If you are looking for an alternative to the $800+ OLED monitors out there right now, then this is the monitor to buy.

My only complaint is that construction and overall build quality feels cheap and flimsy. The OSD toggle button is also not in the most convenient place, and it can be hard to navigate with sometimes as it is too easy to push it the wrong way (at least for me, this is just a small nitpick anyway, you can lock in your settings and forget it). But those things don't affect the image quality, which does look significantly improved over typical IPS or VA LCD panels. There really are 500 dimming zones in this display, you can see it on 4K test videos that the blacks get really dark with only a slight blooming around the edges of light areas.

As other reviewers have stated though, you will need to do a lot of tinkering with the settings and firmware to get it working right. HDR and Windows has always been a difficult thing to navigate as well, but once it's all set up this monitor will play HDR content really well and will perform very well for gaming at a high refresh rate.

I looked at dozens upon dozens of monitors before settling on this one. Definitely happy with my purchase but if you want color accuracy, budget in a color calibration tool to your purchase. Screen is bright and looks amazing in games with HDR support. Does not do well with HDR for desktop use as the auto-dimming feature makes things look weird but in SDR mode, it looks great. Be sure to perform the firmware update if you get the older model.

I originally purchased the 32” 1440p as a secondary monitor/also for testing new computer builds. The only problem is that it completely outperforms my Innoview monitor in terms of color, brightness, and just overall picture clarity. Great quality. I wish the refresh rate was faster, then it’d be the only monitor I ever buy.

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Detailed Analysis

Product Description:

The KTC 32 Inch FHD 1080p Curved Gaming Monitor features an immersive 1500R curved VA panel. It supports a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming. The monitor also provides 122% sRGB color coverage, DisplayPort and HDMI inputs, VESA mounting, and HDR10 support.

Performance:

This monitor delivers an impressive 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay. The panel’s 122% sRGB color coverage provides vibrant and accurate colors. Its HDR10 capability enhances the visual experience, especially in supported games and media. The viewing angles and black levels are commendable, considerably improving the overall image quality.

Positives and Negatives

Pros:

  • High refresh rate and quick response time
  • Excellent color accuracy and brightness
  • Effective local dimming and HDR support
  • Wide viewing angles

Cons:

  • Build quality feels cheap and flimsy
  • Slow power-on time
  • OSD button placement is inconvenient
  • Requires firmware updates for optimal performance

Expert Opinion

Expertise:

With extensive experience in reviewing gaming monitors and tech, I have evaluated numerous displays from various brands. My background in technology and personal interest in gaming gear enable me to provide an informed and unbiased assessment of the KTC 32 Inch FHD 1080p Curved Gaming Monitor.

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Buying Options

Where to Buy:

You can purchase the KTC 32 Inch FHD 1080p Curved Gaming Monitor from various online retailers. Here are some options:

*Prices are subject to change based on promotions and availability.

Conclusion

The KTC 32 Inch FHD 1080p Curved Gaming Monitor offers excellent performance for gamers on a budget. With its high refresh rate, impressive color accuracy, and HDR support, it is an ideal choice for anyone seeking an immersive gaming experience without breaking the bank. Despite some build quality concerns, its strong visual performance makes it a worthwhile investment.

Additional Resources

References and Further Reading:

For more information, you can check out the following resources:

FAQs:

  1. Can this monitor be used for productivity tasks? Yes, the monitor’s high resolution and color accuracy make it suitable for productivity tasks as well as gaming.
  2. Does it require any additional cables? The monitor comes with necessary cables, but you may need a longer one depending on your setup.
  3. Is the screen flicker-free? Yes, the monitor is designed to minimize flickering for a better viewing experience.