Samsung CF591 Curved Monitor Review

Samsung hopes to bring curved displays to the masses with its 27-inch CF591. The monitor has an MSRP of $349.99 and is discounted in Samsung’s online store (and others), dropping the price to just under the $300 mark. Even without the discount though, the CF591 is one of the more affordable high-end curved displays, though it’s not the cheapest one currently available. But Samsung hopes that it hit the sweet spot here by combining tempting features with a low-ish price.

Curved monitors certainly look cool, but display makers have had a tough time making convincing arguments that they’re necessary. One of the better suggestions we’ve heard is that a curved display makes for a more immersive experience, as it can better fill your field of view than a flat screen. Uniformity is perceived to be better as well, because the distance from the user's eye to each pixel on the screen is similar.  In our own experience with older products, we’ve enjoyed watching videos and playing games on curved displays. Once back at the Desktop however, the curvature didn't noticeably-alter the experience much.

Let’s see whether the CF591 changes our perspective…

Samsung CF591 Curved Monitor (LC27F591FDNXZA) Specifications & Features

Display Size	27 Inches
Refresh Rate	60Hz
Curvature	1800R
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Resolution	1920x1080
Panel Type	VA
Response Time	4ms
Contrast Ratio	3000:1
Brightness	250 nits
Viewing Angle	178 Degrees
Displayable Colors	16.7 Million
Input Signal	DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, D-Sub
Speaker	5W Speakers (x2)
Height Adjustment	Forward/Back Tilt -2 to 20 Degrees
Power Consumption	36W On, 0.3W Power Savings Mode
Special Features	AMD FreeSync, Game Mode,
VESA Wall Mounting	No
Warranty	1 Year Parts & Labor
Price	$349.99 MSRP ($299 Currently At Amazon)

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The Samsung CF591 features a 27-inch panel with a typical 1920x1080 resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It has a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, which should make for deeper shadows and brighter whites, and a brightness of 250 nits, which is reasonable, but somewhat uninspiring. On the upside, it offers a speedy 4ms gray-to-gray response time. And, thanks to a 178-degree viewing angle, you don’t have to sit directly in front of the monitor to have a clear view of the image, the the whole point of a curved desktop display is to sit in the sweet-spot at the center.
 
Samsung puts the sRGB coverage at a surprising 119 percent, due to its active color crystal technology. The Vertical Alignment (VA) panel has a 60Hz refresh rate, which isn’t unusual, but might give gamers with high-end graphics cards pause.

Although the CF591 might not attract hardcore gamers the way Acer’s Predator X34 will, it has two features that will appeal to budget-focused gamers: A Game Mode and AMD FreeSync support. The Game Mode setting is meant to improve bright and dark images, as well as image stuttering in games, and doesn’t require a particular graphics card.

Pair a modern AMD graphics card with the CF591, and you can take advantage of FreeSync, which significantly reduces image tearing in video games. The monitor supports FreeSync via either the DP or the HDMI port.


The display lacks a USB hub, which is a little disappointing, and it has a very small complement of video input ports: one each of HDMI, DisplayPort, and D-Sub ports. Interestingly, the monitor had two HDMI ports when it debuted at CES in January. The display also features two 5W speakers and audio jacks.

Samsung is targeting a broad audience with the CF591. It sees the monitor as being a fit for a stylish office or the home, where the AMD FreeSync support could make it a hit with the gamers in the family.