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4K 32" monitor recommendations?

harrybrokensha

New Member
Hi all -

I'm currently working on a dual-screen setup (one AOC QHD 32" monitor as my main monitor, and a 27" ASUS off to one side.) I'd like to replace my main monitor with a new 4k 32" (or larger) monitor, and mount my current 32" monitor on a stand above it - both for easier viewing/less turning my head while working to picture, and because I'm limited on desk space horizontally.

I've been looking at this Samsung model: Amazon product ASIN B08WX6ZDTY
and this LG model: Amazon product ASIN B08JYXJCV7.

There seem to be some mixed reviews on Amazon so I thought I'd see if anyone had any experience with these or alternative suggestions - have been looking at all sorts of options. Ideally looking for something around the £500 mark, but could be tempted by something more expensive if it's worth the investment.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks
 
I realise its quite a bit bigger and more expensive, but I can recommend the lg 48" oled. If you shop around they can be bought new ~£900. Anything less than 43" was too small for my eyes at 4k, but the 48" is perfect. It's roughly the ppi as my old 32" monitors at 2560x1600.
 
I realise its quite a bit bigger and more expensive, but I can recommend the lg 48" oled. If you shop around they can be bought new ~£900. Anything less than 43" was too small for my eyes at 4k, but the 48" is perfect. It's roughly the ppi as my old 32" monitors at 2560x1600.
Thanks - I'll check it out! Trouble is it might be a bit too big for my desk and where I'm sat. I sit about 75cm/2.5ft away from my monitor screen so anything bigger than about 40" would possibly be too big...
 
I realise its quite a bit bigger and more expensive, but I can recommend the lg 48" oled. If you shop around they can be bought new ~£900. Anything less than 43" was too small for my eyes at 4k, but the 48" is perfect. It's roughly the ppi as my old 32" monitors at 2560x1600.
You're on the right track with IPS monitors. VA doesn't look good up close. For what it's worth I don't think you really utilize 4K at 32", I have a 42" 4K and I have to set the windows custom scaling to 350%.

The bigger the monitors you do want to sit further away from. Might be a benefit staring at something a bit farther away re: producing nearsightedness.
 
I have three of the Samsung you linked to, commonly known as the “J59” model. They are great for the price, very thin and light, although be aware that the stand it comes with is at a fixed height and only tilts a little bit. Also they use a skinny wall wart ac adaptor and not a standard IEC lead, but the prongs on the wall wart can rotate 90 degrees to accommodate various power strips.
 
Thanks all for your advice. I think in the future if I'm working in a bigger room I'll have a look into a deeper desk setup where I can have a larger monitor that I sit further away from, but for now I'll have to stick with something between 32-38".

I have three of the Samsung you linked to, commonly known as the “J59” model. They are great for the price, very thin and light, although be aware that the stand it comes with is at a fixed height and only tilts a little bit. Also they use a skinny wall wart ac adaptor and not a standard IEC lead, but the prongs on the wall wart can rotate 90 degrees to accommodate various power strips.
Thanks, that's good to know - one of these Samsung J59s sounds like a good option. I'll be using a separate stand to mount it on which will give some more flexibility on height and tilt.
 
Thanks - I'll check it out! Trouble is it might be a bit too big for my desk and where I'm sat. I sit about 75cm/2.5ft away from my monitor screen so anything bigger than about 40" would possibly be too big...
I just measured and my eyes are anywhere from 65-95cm depending on what I'm doing, but probably somewhere around 80-85 for the majority of the time. Honestly, if you haven't tried it, please try to. It's nothing like as OTT as it sounds, and I've noticed more and more composers are going down the 48" 4k route because it's near perfect. Wouldn't you agree @christianhenson?
 
I tried a 43" LG 4k display for a minute, but it was just too big - I had to keep swiveling my head left-right, instead of just moving my eyes. But I am not very far away from the displays - 30 inches / 75 cm - so a 32" is still the right size for me. However I don't have a big touchscreen or any large control surfaces between me and the displays like some folks do. If I did then maybe a larger display would work. But it would still block the center speaker and create other issues in my space, so I'm not in a hurry.
 
Make sure the model you want to buy does not use PWM for backlight dimming!
At least avoid the low frequency PWM models...
Why PWM is bad https://www.notebookcheck.net/Why-Pulse-Width-Modulation-PWM-is-such-a-headache.270240.0.html

Sorted by text clarity, only flicker free models listed.
Click in the model name(left side) for the review.
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/tools/table/57130


Other good review sites:
https://www.prad.de/test-kaufberatung/testberichte/test-monitore/
https://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews.htm
https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/

BTW, looks like the LG 32UL500 and LG 32UN500 uses the same panel and both are flicker free.
https://www.displayspecifications.com/en/comparison/071b146316
 
Still waiting for the https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-32ep950-b-oled-monitor (LG 32EP950-B) to finally arrive ... and come down in price ;)
But it will definitely be a great monitor!
 
Just reviving this, rather than create a new thread - like the OP I have a small space where 32" would be about the maximum physical size to fit while remaining practical.

My viewing distance is around 24" currently from my 24" 1920x1200 monitor.

I would love to move to 4K for the extra screen space, but the main thing worrying me is the size and legibility of things such as Kontakt. Can anyone post a screen grab of what a typical Kontakt instrument looks like on a 32" 4K screen?

I would also be concerned about some of the UAD plugins as these also don't have resizable interfaces.
 
I went for the 32" Samsung J59 in the end and so far it's been great for my taste and setup. Text (especially Kontakt and some Cubase text) is pretty small, but I have my mixer window, midi editor and picture on separate monitors and I sit close enough to the screen that it's not caused me any eye strain (as of yet anyway!)

Have attached a screen grab of Cubase open with Kontakt and a UAD plugin for reference.
 

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  • Kontakt_UAD_4kMonitor.png
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I have the Samsung UJ590 and I like it a lot, just saw in this thread that Charlie has them as well, so there’s two recommendations right there
 
I too am looking for a single larger monitor to replace two small ones. However, I am confused by what aspect ratio I need to get the best view of Cubase. As mentioned by KEM there is the 32" UJ590 at 16x9, but I also like the 34" SJ55W at 21x9.

But which is the best aspect ratio?
 
I have the Samsung UJ590 and I like it a lot, just saw in this thread that Charlie has them as well, so there’s two recommendations right there
Do you have to scale, do you use windows, how far is the display from you ?

Thanks :)
 
I too am looking for a single larger monitor to replace two small ones. However, I am confused by what aspect ratio I need to get the best view of Cubase. As mentioned by KEM there is the 32" UJ590 at 16x9, but I also like the 34" SJ55W at 21x9.

But which is the best aspect ratio?
It's really a question of taste. 16*9 = standard for the last 10 years, 21*9 = most smartphones today.
 
I had AOC monitors (Q3277 / 4K, 32") but then got a Samsung 32" 4K and the difference in picture quality and colour was astounding!! The Samsung U32J59X picture quality was 1000 times better than the AOC. With the Samsung, whites are actually brilliant white (dull grey with AOC), and picture crispness is truly amazing.
The Samsung scales really well too. So fonts, menus, titles etc scale well and are easy to read with Windows10Pro.

That was 2 years ago, and have since replaced 3 of my 4 screens with Samsung U32J59X, and have not been disappointed.
 
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I honestly wouldn't bother with a 4k display unless its 43" or above. I had a 27" 4k screen and text was so tiny I put it to 1440p and it was great. I also have a 43" 4k screen and I even have that set to 1440p. I found I was still straining to read certain things. You will get bad eye sight straining at 4k for too many years. Its not worth it unless the screen is massive and mounted on the wall and by that time, you might as well just get a 1440p monitor and keep your eye sight. 😂
 
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