INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Unlike many people I know whenever I’m out in the market for a new LCD monitor, I always look for 4 things, resolution, image quality, color reproduction and build quality (in that order). For good or bad since my first contact with PC’s was in the beginning of the 90’s I never considered high refresh rates a must and well, I still don’t. Granted, refresh rates are important (especially if you’re a serious gamer) but if I must choose between that and one of the above, the latter takes priority. EIZO clearly thinks the same way I do and today with me I have their latest 4K model, the FlexScan EV3240X.

    EIZO is the Japanese word for "image". EIZO claims to build the best possible monitor for all areas of application. The company was founded in Japan over 50 years ago and has since developed into one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-end monitor solutions. Today, EIZO's monitors and display solutions are available in over 100 countries and are used in numerous industries.

    Just like most models by EIZO to date the latest FlexScan EV3240X is also available in black and white colors and as its name clearly states it’s a 32-inch LCD monitor (31.5 inches to be exact - 80cm diagonal). This model is based on a 16:9 ratio IPS W-LED backlit panel (8bit) which sports a maximum resolution of 3840x2160p (4K/UHD) with a refresh rate of 60Hz, 5ms (GTG – up to 14ms typical) response time, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 350cd/m2 brightness and a pixel density of 140ppi. The FlexScan EV3240X also features a very versatile stand (height/tilt/swivel/rotate), USB-C port which can be used both to provide power (94W max) and ethernet connectivity (1000 BASE-T) to compatible devices, data USB-C port (15W), two 2W speakers (4W total), two HDMI ports (v2.0), single DisplayPort port (v1.2), Ethernet RJ45 Gigabit port, USB 3.2 host port, 3 USB-A 3.2 ports and two 3.5mm audio outputs (headphones/speakers). Needless to say, EIZO also packs several technologies in their latest FlexScan EV3240X model such as a light sensor (auto brightness control), Picture by Picture (PbyP), Picture in Picture (PinP), EcoView mode (power and CO2 reduction), TUV certified flicker free, low blue light, non-glare matte panel and a minimum brightness of just 1cd/m2. As for warranty EIZO once again covers the FlexScan EV3240X with the same impressive 5 year limited one as their previous FlexScan models and of course also offers their zero bright pixels warranty for a period of 6 months.

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loyal to their Green initiative EIZO has once again used a regular cardboard box (package is made out of recycled material) which just has their logo, several carrying warnings, small screen drawing and a sticker with the model’s name on both the front and rear.

 

 

Another model sticker is located on the left side right over the energy compliant sticker and the Made in Japan remark (we just don't see that often enough).

 

 

A large sticker with the model’s name, serial number and barcode and part number and barcode is located on the left side.

 

 

As mentioned earlier the entire package is made from recyclable materials so kudos to EIZO for that.

 

 

Along with the FlexScan EV3240X and its power cord inside the box you'll also find a USB-C cable, energy compliance sticker, warranty information paper, contact information paper, recycling information paper, regulatory compliance paper and the user manual.

 

THE FLEXSCAN EV3240X

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a diagonal of 80cm (31.5”) the FlexScan EV3240X should cover most people out there.

 

 

EIZO has placed their logo on the left leg of the stand as seen above (this time over the stand is not a complete ring like with past models).

 

 

Thanks to the FlexStand monitor stand EIZO has used with their EV3240X it can go as low as just 11mm from your desk (427mm top end).

 

 

At its highest point this base can raise the EV3240X up to roughly 206mm from your desk (625mm top end).

 

 

A total of 7 touch buttons are located on the right side of the lower bezel.

 

 

The two 2W speakers are located on the far left and right of the lower bezel as seen above.

 

 

Taking a look at the rear of the screen we see the EIZO logo and the FlexStand.

 

 

The on/off button with the power port and a Kensington lock are located on the rear left of the screen while the two HDMI v2.0 ports, DisplayPort v1.2 port, USB-C port, RJ45 port, USB host port and two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports are located on the rear right.

 

 

On the far right we find another USB-A 3.2 Gen1 port, USB-C port and the two 3.5mm jacks for headphones and speakers.

 

 

Just like past FlexStand models the one used with the EV3240X features an easy to use cable management system.

 

 

Unlike most screen stands only part of which swivels thanks to its base the entire EV3895 can swivel up to 90 degrees on either side.

 

 

You can also tilt the screen up to 35 degrees upwards and 5 degrees downwards.

 

 

Of course, the FlexStand also pivots up to 90 degrees (very useful for some professionals).

 

EV3240X MENUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can access the 5 available tabs from the 7 touch buttons.

 

 

From the color tab you can adjust the color mode, brightness and contrast levels and set the temperatures and gamma.

 

 

The overdrive function is placed inside the advanced tab along with the hue, saturation and gain levels.

 

 

Screen ratio, color format and input range are all accessible from within the signal tab.

 

 

Features like power save, power indicator and USB and sound selection can all be adjusted from the preferences menu (you can also reset the monitor to its factory state).

 

 

Typically, the OSD is available in 9 different languages.

 

 

Details about the screen are present inside the information tab (the power on hours is perhaps the most important one).

 

 

You can quickly increase and decrease both the volume of the front facing stereo speakers and the brightness levels from the above menu.

 

 

The “green” features are placed inside the EcoView settings tab (not used during my tests).

 

 

Just like previous EIZO models there are 4 picture presets available plus 2 user/custom ones.

 

 

Typically, you can rotate between the USB-C, HDMI and DP inputs and the PbyP and PinP modes from the touch buttons.

 

VIEWING ANGLES / PICTURE QUALITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again EIZO doesn’t fail to impress, both in regards to color accuracy/reproduction and image quality/crispness. The sole issue as with most IPS panels has to do with just how deep blacks are and even though directly in front that’s not an issue it's visible from an angle. Thanks to the overdrive function the EV3240X also performed very well with the majority of games I played with it (ranging from Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty and World of Warships to Helldivers II and even Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition) but yes, due to its low refresh rate this isn’t the best screen for hardcore gamers.

 

 

Moving to viewing angles, the FlexScan EV3240X offers exactly what you’d expect by a high-performance IPS panel so pretty much everything checks out.

 

TEST RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATACOLOR SPYDERX ELITE MEASUREMENTS

By using the SpyderX Elite Colorimeter by Datacolor i measure both the color gamut (SRGB and Adobe) and the brightness levels of the monitor at hand.

 

 

Here you can see results for Color and Luminance Screen Uniformity (instead of just listing results at 100% brightness I’m listing all of them - 50/67/83/100%).

 

Datacolor rates monitors based on their overall results so it was decided to include this chart as well.

 

POWER CONSUMPTION

Power consumption may not be what most people look for when out to get a brand new monitor but at the end of the day it's still an important factor so i do hope this is of interest to some of you.

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

    EIZO screens may not be quite ideal for serious gaming (although I do use them for that without issue) but because of their color accuracy, image quality and features they’ve been the first choice for many professionals including photographers and designers for as far back as I can remember. Now the FlexScan EV3240X may not be the best LCD monitor EIZO has currently in the market (let’s not forget that the EIZO lineup has models that cost many times what this does) but it offers very good color reproduction with equality good image detail. It also sports most technologies EIZO has in their lineups currently and on top of that it’s a made in Japan model with a 5-year limited warranty and a 6 month zero pixel warranty. The 16:9 screen ratio is also something many people happen to prefer over others like 32:9, 24:10 (this is actually one of my favorite screen ratios to date) or even 21:9. Worth pointing out also is that the two 2W speakers (4W total) did ok during my tests (good volume for built-in ones) but even though for office use they should be sufficient for everything else I do recommend using external speakers or a soundbar. Finally, the FlexStand is obviously one of the strongest selling points of the EV3240X since it allows for great versatility, something we don’t see nearly enough with the vast majority of LCD monitors in the market today.

    With a current retail price set at 1401.42Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) it’s clear that the FlexScan EV3240X by EIZO is not really affordable and thus not meant for everyone. Yes, I do believe EIZO should also focus on the design and manufacture of more affordable LCD monitors (perhaps by reducing the number of inputs/outputs) but just like with most EIZO models the EV3240X has a very specific target group and for such people this isn’t a whole lot of money (not when your job could depend on it). Cost aside however the latest FlexScan EV3240X does deliver on everything from color accuracy and image detail to features, build quality and even warranty and so the Golden Award is in order.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- LED Backlit IPS Panel
- Very Good Image Quality
- Features (EcoView Mode / Blue Light Filter / PbyP / PinP / Auto Brightness)
- 5ms GTG Response Time
- Versatile Stand (Height / Tilt / Swivel / Pivot)
- 3 USB 3.2 Ports / 2 USB-C Ports (94W / 15W)
- Stereo Speakers (2W Each)
- Available Connectors (HDMI v2.0 /  DisplayPort v1.2 / RJ45 Gigabit / Two 3.5mm Mini Jacks)
- On / Off Power Switch
- Available In Black & White Colors
- Power Consumption
- 5 Year Limited Warranty / 6 Month Zero Pixel Warranty

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Not Ideal For Gaming