The quick menu is handy for making changes to picture mode, brightness and audio volume. Some of the ten picture modes also include the Light Tuner adjustment here. At the top is signal info with resolution, refresh rate, HDR and FreeSync/Adaptive-Sync status. If you scroll to the bottom, you can open the full OSD.

Each HDMI and and DisplayPort input can each be assigned one of three picture modes within the OSD. So changing the picture mode for the HDMI port won’t disrupt your settings when connecting via DisplayPort. It’s a little confusing, but if you prefer, you can turn the Scenario feature off entirely. Each scenario can also have different items available in the quick menu.

In the Color Mode menu, there are 10 presets (seven for SDR and three for HDR), each with its own set of options. Light Tuner features in most of them. It tweaks gamma to bring out either shadows, midtones or highlights. None of the 20 settings provides ideal gamma, but some look better than others. I’ll talk about that more in my test notes on page four. BenQ also includes Brightness Intelligence Plus (B.I.+), which uses a front-mounted sensor to vary light output and color temperature based on the environment. It works reasonably well, but I could sometimes see it working when clouds darkened my sunlit window. This menu also allows adjustments to gamma and color temperature and includes a super-accurate sRGB mode.

BenQ takes eye care seriously with a TUV Rheinland certification and adjustments for Low Blue Light and Color Weakness. You can employ variable filters for red and green deficiency if needed.

The Audio menu includes five DSP modes that sound distinctly different. They manipulate phase and frequency balance to change the sound stage shape. My personal favorite for gaming was Cinema.

BenQ Mobiuz EX2710Q Calibration Settings

The EX2710Q ships in its RPG picture mode and is accurate enough out of the box without requiring calibration. If you want to tweak, the Custom mode unlocks all image options. I was unable to make an improvement using the gamma presets and RGB sliders. I noted skewed gamma that made midtones and highlights a bit dark. I was unable to correct this but mitigated it somewhat using the Light Tuner slider. This is a subjective adjustment. It won’t improve the measured gamma but by setting it -3, I increased perceived contrast a little.

HDR signals are best viewed in the DisplayHDR mode, which is the default. The Cinema and Game HDR presets are part of BenQ’s HDRi feature and can be used for SDR content if you wish. The look is something I would call an acquired taste. It’s not for me, but some users may prefer it. My advice is to try toggling the HDRi button on the panel’s front to see if it’s for you.

Gaming and Hands-on

I couldn’t help but begin with a Doom Eternal fragfest. The horde mode affords ample opportunity for fast-moving action. There was no hint of delay in any of my control inputs, either with the mouse or keyboard. Movement remained smooth and jitter-free with AMA (overdrive) on level 2. Higher settings produced a bit of ghosting. I also tried the Blur Reduction, which keeps Adaptive-Sync in play. It made a very subtle improvement in smoothness without any apparent artifacts.

The HDR image was solid with rich color and bright highlights but no more contrast than SDR. HDR games like Doom Eternal and Call of Duty WWII are slightly more colorful, but blacks are the same as SDR, more a dark gray. The EX2710Q is a great-looking monitor in every way except contrast which is merely average. However, detail rendering is top-notch. In first-person titles, the extra motion smoothness makes up for any difference in pixel density from an Ultra HD monitor. Frame rates are the key. Running at 165 fps makes a visible difference from UHD, which I rarely see move quicker than 120 fps.

SDR games look just as rich and impactful thanks to that large color gamut. With solid accuracy, there is balance and smooth tonality with all the detail intended by the original material. Again, I wish contrast were better, but it is enough to provide a good gaming experience and reasonably satisfying video quality when streaming movies or YouTube.

BenQ gets special kudos for the EX2710Q’s audio quality. It is more than just a cut above the rest. With treVolo tuning and an extra driver providing bass, this monitor delivers the best sound I’ve heard from integrated computer display speakers. Dialog is crystal clear with a fullness you would normally need good headphones or external speakers to experience. You can truly do without extra audio gear when playing on the EX2710Q.

For workday tasks, the EX2710Q hits the mark with plenty of color and clear imagery. Small fonts and icons are well-detailed and easy to interpret. When viewing the same material side-by-side with a 27-inch UHD monitor, you can see a slightly jagged line here and there, but for the most part, the difference in clarity is tiny.