Dough’s excellent yet controversial* Spectrum 4K 144Hz monitor is now available with a glossy Gorilla Glass coating, making for a third option in addition to the default matte option that the monitor launched with in 2021 and the glossy version introduced last year.
The only trouble? The Gorilla Glass model costs a weighty $799 at BH Photo Video, significantly more than the $599 matte and $699 glossy versions. At this price, it’s actually more expensive than discounted 42-inch OLED TVs and in the same stratosphere as upcoming QD-OLED monitors that surpass it in refresh rate and features. Is that premium worth it for the unparalleled visual experience promised by glossy Gorilla Glass, or is it too much to ask in a crowded and competitive HDMI 2.1 monitor market?
To find out, I’ve been testing the Gorilla Glass version of the Spectrum, putting it in direct comparison and side-by-side with the standard matte version that I’ve been using for months as my primary monitor and have recommended as one of the best HDMI 2.1 gaming monitors at Eurogamer in the past. Use the quick links below or scroll on for the full review.
To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Dough Spectrum Gorilla Glass vs Matte hands-on impressions
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Before we get into the impressions, it’s worth briefly describing exactly what the base Spectrum monitor is and why it’s worth having in the first place. In short, this is a 27-inch monitor running at a resolution of 3840×2160 at up to 144Hz, with FreeSync/G-Sync compatibility and some unique features we’ll detail later. The monitor is built around a LG Fast IPS panel that delivers TN-like motion clarity on top of the colour reproduction and wide viewing angles that IPS screens are traditionally known for, making it a good all-around choice.
4K 144Hz monitors have become a great choice for both mid-range and high-end gaming PCs, as you benefit from increased clarity in slower-paced games, not to mention sharp text for work and easy consumption of 4K media, while the high refresh rate is necessary for fast-paced and competitive genres like FPS. With HDMI 2.1 ports, as found here, these are also great screens for 4K 120Hz gaming on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X – with VRR and HDR (DisplayHDR 600) support included.
When viewing the two Spectrum models next to each other, the Gorilla Glass model look significantly better right out of the box – colours appear more vibrant, contrast is increased and you just get the feeling that you’re looking at an extremely high-end display; the only point of comparison I have here are the glossy iMac screens of yesteryear that just looked richer and more premium than their PC competition. This seems particularly true with HDR engaged, with the monitor’s slightly boosted contrast shoring up one of the very few weaknesses of a modern Fast IPS panel.