NZXT Canvas QHD 32Q Curved Review

Conclusion

We have to start with the various pricing options, because they are the element of the NZXT Canvas launch that is the unique element to their product. There are so many options.

Both Canvas displays are available in 27 and 32 inch, and both are available in either black or, as we have here, white. However, those aren’t the only variations. Let’s run through them :

27 Inch with stand     : Black £389. White £399.
27 Inch without stand : Black £349. White £369.
32 Inch with stand     : Black £469. White £489.
32 Inch without stand : Black £429. White £449.

Curiously the higher manufacturing costs of the white model over the black one is less with the 27″ and stand option. Otherwise it’s a £20 premium. If you haven’t already got a stand or monitor arm of your own but want the truly amazing quality arms that NZXT can supply then a single arm for a single display is £139.99, whilst a dual arm for two displays is £199.99. Very much in the ballpark of good monitor arms, but incredible quality. We have used Ergotron arms before and we consider the NZXT model to be their equal in performance. We can’t think of a higher recommendation than that.

As for the displays we’ve only got the VA equipped NZXT Canvas 32Q here for review. It is more curve than we like at 1500R – curvature runs from 1000R which is a banana through 1500 to the more tolerably flat curves around 2000R+ until you reach flat, as the 27 inch Canvas is. How much the curve annoys you is very much a matter of personal preference. Even on a display of this size we find the pincushion effect to be too much to live with on those daily tasks, although it’s fine when gaming. Gaming is also what NZXT expect you to be doing with the 32 inch model and it’s VA panel. You don’t get the colour accuracy and viewing angles on a VA panel that you do on the IPS-equipped 27 inch. Another thing to take into consideration.

Technically the NZXT Canvas hits the current sweet spot of 1440P @ 165hz. It has a good OSD although you can adjust some basic settings using the NZXT Cam software which is perfect for those of you who already own some NZXT products such as their Kraken cooler or Function keyboards. It might sound like we’re damning with faint praise but the panel is exactly as good as you’d expect a large format VA panel to be. It has no obvious flaws or issues, but neither is the picture quality as spectacular as the Quantum Dot Cooler Master GM34 we recently reviewed.

What this is all about is the flexibility of having a monitor that can be either black or white, and is available with a standard NZXT stand, no stand at all if you already own one, or the opportunity to purchase about the best monitor arm we’ve ever used at a price that will leave you slack-jawed. If it was for us we’d go for the better image quality of the IPS 27″ model – in white, natch – with the single arm. Although at near £500 it’s up against some seriously stiff competition in the visual impact stakes. You’re very much paying for choice, rather than the purity of a high-end image.

Discuss the NZXT Canvas QHD 32Q on the OC3D Forums.