[UPDATE]------------------------------------Date: 01/12/2017With extensive usage more problems have begun to emerge with this panel.First, a very faint buzzing noise has started to emanate from the back of the screen. This wouldn't normally be an issue, but, as I've said before, a $1200 screen should be perfect. It should cook you dinner, feed it to you, and sing you to sleep. Unfortunately, I don't like the song being sung to me. And the fact that I paid $1200 to hear it makes it that much more unbearable.However, the minor coil whine picked up by my rather sensitive ears wouldn't be a so bad if it weren't for the second issue that's emerged: scan lines. For those unfamiliar, scan lines are a screen artifact consisting of faint, faded horizontal lines that overlay the screen and (obviously) detract from image quality. I've placed a sample below to demonstrate what scan lines look like and added a comparison shot of another panel (PB258Q) with no scan lines. After numerous tests over several other monitor types, the PG348Q is the only one to demonstrate intrusive scan lines. Some cursory research indicates that Asus has declared that this is 'normal' for this panel. Some customers have exchanged this panel up to 5+ times only to find intrusive scan lines on each one. Ironically, overclocking is one of the suspected causes for this issue. For me however, the problem wasn’t overclocking: it was the G-Sync module. Upon disabling G-Sync, the scan lines became far less visible. I paid hundreds of dollars specifically for the adaptive abilities of this screen. It turns out the reason I bought this screen is now the same reason I’ll be returning it.More and more I'm becoming convinced that the niche ultrawide market is actually a testing ground for experimental technology. The guinea pigs like me who fork over large sums of money to participate are given half-baked versions of what we think we're getting: '100Hz ultrawide' really means ‘60Hz-overclockable ultrawide'. 'Overclockable to 100Hz' really means, 'MAYBE overclockable to 100Hz and G-Sync with scan lines'. 'Curved IPS display' really means 'Curved IPS display with 20% of the screen eaten up by bright orange glow', and so on.As for me, I have no interest in forking over $1200 to be a test subject. I'll have to make time to send this panel back.[REVIEW OF MONITOR 2]------------Date: 12/31/2016Received the replacement today. Amazon has been quite helpful so far. I can't say the second screen is much better, however. I was looking forward to have it up and running so I could take some samples of the light bleed. Unfortunately, this panel had strange power defect: if unplugged and then plugged, the screen would temporarily refuse to reboot (when plugged in again). I naturally assumed this was due to a defect with the power brick so I tried the brick from Monitor 1, but to no avail. Then, randomly, the screen turned back on when plugged in again with its original power brick. It worked for a short while. Then, upon unplugging/plugging it again to rearrange cables, it refused to boot again. The first monitor works fine in all outlets, with both power bricks so I'm forced to conclude the defect is with the replacement's (monitor 2) internal power delivery.Due to Monitor 2's power issue, backlight bleed was entirely irrelevant and I'm sending it back posthaste. However, before packaging it up, I did take one photo in low light and brightness to demonstrate the bleed and glow prevalent on the screen. Although this photo isn't entirely accurate, this light leakage will only worsen in a dark room and I suppose I can take solace in the fact that, since this screen was likely no better as far as backlighting is concerned, I didn't have to waste time testing it.For standard of comparison, I posted a photo of a review sample given to TFT Central (a screen review site) that evaluated this monitor for backlight leakage. The photo is posted below with a description so you can see what this screen is supposed to look like with proper QC. Contrast this with the photo taken of Monitor 1. My photo, at least of monitor 1, is done using the same standard of testing provided by TFT: 1/8s shutter, 1.5-2m distance from screen, dark room, brightness to ~30 or 120cd/m^2. There's a stark difference in the amount and type of bleed present. It proves that ASUS isn't incapable of making these screens with no backlight leakage, they apparently just don't care to maintain this level of QC on average. They also have one standard when it comes to showing off their products through reviewers and a completely different standard for 'off the shelf' products that you'll likely take home.Another major issue is that there seems to be some misrepresentation of this monitor’s specs. The Amazon page states that it supports, "...seamlessly switching from 60Hz to 100Hz for smooth gameplay..." and that it, "...SPORTS a 100Hz refresh rate." This is stated in multiple places on the box as well: '100Hz Rapid Refresh Rate'. The problem is, this monitor is NOT a 100Hz native refresh rate screen: it is a 60Hz screen that may or may not be able to overclock to 100Hz. It does not SPORT a 100Hz refresh rate as described. The fine print in the manual states the following:"Please note that Over Clocking function/performance depends on the GPUs or contents displayed. ASUS only provides this function. The performance or any side effect after activation is not guaranteed."In other words, despite what they say everywhere online and on the box to get you to buy their product, ASUS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS SCREEN WILL OVERCLOCK TO 100Hz, i.e. performance is not guaranteed. Moreover, they heavily imply that any defects that arise as a result of overclocking will NOT be covered under warranty and are the sole liability of the consumer, i.e. any side effect after activation is not guaranteed. This is a blatant case of misleading the consumer into believing they're purchasing something which they aren't. ASUS does not support the repeated 100Hz claims that they make for this monitor. Therefore, this is a 60Hz screen with OPTIONAL built-in overclocking capabilities that MAY give you stable overclocks UP TO 100Hz as a maximum. It should be advertised as such. Saying that this screen 'sports a 100Hz refresh rate' is very misleading, bordering false advertising.For me personally, the bleed isn't bad enough in the dark that it ruins my work entirely, but it’s still a serious issue. Due to time constraints, I may or may not end up keeping this screen even though I find this level of quality and the disingenuous nature of the manufacturer to be unacceptable for a $1200 purchase.However, if you're a busy professional that likes to play games for fun and you're looking for an all purpose screen with great QC, minimal defects, low IPS glow/leakage, and a true native 100Hz refresh rate, you'll most likely want to consider looking elsewhere.[REVIEW OF MONITOR 1]------------Date: 12/29/2016Pros:[1] Gsync works fine[2] No coil whine[3] A 100Hz overclock works at the time of this writing[4] The screen has a clean, non-tacky aesthetic and the color accuracy is spot onCons:[1] As many others have mentioned with the PG348Q, backlight bleed and severe IPS glow (more than normal IPS screens) is a major issue for those looking for deep blacks in games, movies or (more importantly) for professional purposes. As you can see in the photos below (brightness @ 30 or 120cd/m^2), the orange glow on the panel is profound, particularly from the bottom left. At the very least this is unacceptable for a ~$1200 screen. Fiddling with settings doesn't change this and moreover, should NOT be necessary. I shouldn't have to adjust image settings to compensate for poor QC on such a high-end piece of equipment.[2] Additionally, there is a small smear of dust in the top right corner, under the panel, covering 4-6 pixels (seen in the white photo below). Normally this wouldn't be a major issue, but for the price, QC needs to be perfect.Currently ordered a replacement from Amazon. Will update this review when it arrives.