The Philips Evnia 34M2C5501A joins the 27 and 32-inch versions in the 5000 gaming monitor series. It’s a curved fast VA monitor equipped with all the features necessary to enjoy ultimate speed and precision, with crisp and vivid images. It falls slightly below the resolution of the best 4K monitors but at 3440 x 1440 (WQHD) is no slouch.
The decision to give the ultra-wide display a 1500R curvature mimics the eye’s natural visual field and helps no end with immersing you in the action. Having experienced curvatures that require a serious rotation of the head to view the extents, I was glad that Philips have opted for something much more subtle.
The 0.5ms MPRT fast response time and refresh rate of 180Hz keep gameplay smooth even when the action heats up. We love the monitor’s VESA-certified DisplayHDR 400, which delivers top-notch dynamics, colours and sharpness. Everything from games to movies looks fantastic on the 34M2C5501A.
After unboxing the monitor, I was up and running in a matter of minutes thanks to Philips’ ability to create fittings and mechanisms that are both easy to use and super solid. I then connected it up to my laptop and began to put it through its paces.
(Image credit: Future)
Philips Evnia 34M2C5501A: Key specifications
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Screen:
34-inch 3440 x 1440 (WQHD)
Inputs:
HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, Audio (In/Out), USB-A x4
Speakers:
Yes
Adjustments:
Height adjustment 130 mm, Swivel -/+ 30 degree, Tilt-5/20 degree
Dimensions:
808 x 434 x 311mm including base
Weight:
8.61kg
Design and build
(Image credit: Future)
When it comes to the design, there are two primary qualities worth noting. The first is the ultrawide form factor and the second is the display’s curvature. I generally find that these are like Marmite qualities in a monitor; you either love them or hate them. I’m a fan, especially when they’re as incredibly well-executed as they are on the 34M2C5501A.
The 34-inch display boasts an UltraWide QHD resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels, which drops short of 4K but not by far. The bottom line is that there is more than enough detail to enjoy.
The ultrawide 21:9 format really comes into its own for users wanting to maximise their productivity. Being able to pull up full-size windows side-by-side is a game changer for efficient working and removes the need to purchase two monitors. CAD designers and spreadsheet gurus will love the format.
The 1500R curvature complements the ultra-wide format perfectly with a small curve that delivers just the right amount of ‘immersion’. Any significant increase in the curve would result in too much neck rotation to be comfortable.
The materials that surround and support the display are well-made and solid enough to provide enough strength and rigidity without becoming too heavy. I love the speckled composite material of the stand, which is found right across the 5000 series. It looks great and is a welcome departure from the boring black plastic that monitor manufacturers so often go for.
The HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-A ports are located discretely at the back of the monitor. Every port is facing down, which makes it easy to locate the monitor right up against a wall. Unfortunately, very little consideration has been given to cable management so you’ll need to sort out your own solution for that.
Philips has also included an AI-enhanced Ambiglow feature which analyses the incoming image content and continuously adapts the colour and brightness of the emitted light to match the image. This really helps to bring your whole room in line with the game you’re playing and therefore increases the feeling of immersion.
Ergonomics are completely taken care of, with a pleasing range of tilt, swivel and height adjustments available. I could have probably taken a little more in the height range but if you need more height than is offered, then you could always purchase an additional stand.
There’s little not to love about the design of the Evnia 34M2C5501A. I think it’s a perfectly designed monitor that delivers all of the basics incredibly well. As a result, it serves up exactly what gamers and creatives desire.
Features and performance
(Image credit: Future)
We’ve discussed much of the physical design properties of the 34M2C5501A so let’s move on to the performance of the actual display. As it’s primarily billed as a gaming monitor, let’s begin with the qualities that are responsible for delivering smooth gameplay.
First up is the 180Hz refresh rate. It’s far from the quickest that we’re seeing nowadays but it proved more than enough in all of my estimations. I had no problem with lag and screen tearing, which would be total red flags to gamers. With very little concern about the refresh rate, I was also glad to experience very little, if any, motion blur, even during fast-moving action scenes. Impressive results like this are made possible by the 0.5 ms Smart MBR.
The fast vertical alignment (VA) panel delivered clear images even during high-contrast visuals, something that I was glad to see while gaming and watching movies.
In general, I was impressed by brightness, contrast, and colour replication, although, as is often my experience, colour hues were pushed just a little too far. This was most noticeable in the greens and yellows, which didn’t look as natural as they should. Global dimming and a minimum of 400 nits of brightness help to provide depth and richness but sometimes at the cost of realism.
I was very pleased with the overall performance of the 34M2C5501A and would be more than happy to use it as my primary monitor. Across games, creative applications, and productivity tasks, this Evnia monitor from Philips looks and performs admirably.
Price
(Image credit: Future)
The Philips Evnia 34M2C5501A monitor is available at an MSRP of £299.99. If you like the specs but would prefer something a little smaller, then you could opt for either the 27-inch 27M2C5501 or 32-inch 32M2C5501 models instead.
This is a reasonably priced monitor, especially considering the ultrawide format, which means you could easily get away with one rather than two monitors. It will work a treat for creatives and gamers and may even make it onto our list of the best gaming monitors.
