Al Griffin

Al Griffin

Senior Editor Home Entertainment, US

Al Griffin is Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, US at TechRadar. Previously the editor of Sound & Vision magazine, he brings nearly three decades of journalism experience to the position, and has contributed to a wide range of print and online outlets including Wirecutter, ProjectorCentral, The SoundStage! Network, Popular Science, and HD Guru. An ISF-trained video calibrator, Al specializes in TV and projector testing and has also written countless audio equipment reviews ranging from speakers and subwoofers to integrated amps. An avowed movie fanatic, he spends his free time holed up in his home theater, and is also an avid cyclist.

Articles by: Al Griffin

Beats Studio Buds Plus held in hand

Beats Studio Buds Plus review: a clear wireless earbuds upgrade

By Al Griffin published

The new Beats buds have arrived sporting a fantastic new design and enhanced features, but disappoint in other ways.

Airpods tinted purple on black background

Apple planned to add color to AirPods –and I wish it had

By Al Griffin published

Apple's AirPods apparently had 5 additional hue options, but the company backed out of the scheme at the last minute.

4k Blu-ray players on colored background

5 reasons why you need a 4K Blu-ray player

By Al Griffin published

Ultra HD Blu-ray provides superior video and audio quality to streaming services – so why don’t you own a 4K Blu-ray player?

Apple TV 4K with TV showing Apple TV Plus interface

5 (more) upgrades we want to see from the Apple TV 4K

By Al Griffin published

With WWDC 2023 around the bend, we have further thoughts about Apple TV 4K upgrades we'd like to see.

Beats Studio Buds Plus case held in palm of hand

I tried Beats Studio Buds Plus and they confirmed my love for AirPods Pro 2

By Al Griffin published

A hands-on with the new Beats reveals great design and good noise cancellation, but they lag behind the latest-gen AirPods.

Spears & Munsil test Blu-ray on yellow background

The Blu-ray test disc I use to fix the picture on 4K TVs just got bigger and better

By Al Griffin published

A new version of the highly regarded Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark Blu-ray video test disc is available, and this time audio gets equal treatment.

sonos arc

6 reasons to upgrade your soundbar - and Dolby Atmos is just one of them

By Al Griffin published

Next-gen gaming, Dolby Atmos, high-res audio – if your soundbar can't handle these, it may need a refresh.

Woman's hand cleaning TV screen with pink microfiber cloth

How to clean a TV screen

By Al Griffin published

Here’s our guide to cleaning your TV’s screen safely and effectively, along with tips on how to clean a TV remote control.

NAD C 3050 amp on console with speaker and plant

NAD’s new amp is a retro wonder with wireless high-res audio streaming and HDMI

By Al Griffin published

The design of NAD's C 3050 looks back to hi-fi's glory days, but inside is a thoroughly modern steaming amplifier

BenQ V5000i UST projector on blue background

BenQ’s new low input lag laser projector is primed for PS5 gaming

By Al Griffin published

With advanced HDR and low input lag for gaming, BenQ's new UST projector could be a perfect big-screen TV replacement.

Sony SRS-XB100 Bluetooth speaker on sand at beach with water in background

Sony’s new portable Bluetooth speaker is ready to get wet

By Al Griffin published

Sony’s new Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and has extended battery life, but the best thing about it may be its price.

Computer speakers on a desk with laptop computer and monitor

4 ways to improve music quality from your computer speakers

By Al Griffin published

Computer speakers aren't necessarily designed for music listening, but with a few simple tweaks you can be in hi-fi heaven.

BenQ W4000i projector on purple background

BenQ’s new 4K projectors bring impressive brightness and better HDR

By Al Griffin published

BenQ's new projector trio is packed with powerful brightness specs and HDR features, and there's also Android TV for streaming.

Netflix test pattern fullscreen view

How to use Netflix’s ‘secret’ video test patterns to improve your 4K TV’s picture

By Al Griffin published

Here’s our guide to finding hidden video test patterns on Netflix and using them to adjust your 4K TV's picture settings.

Home theater system showing projection screen and home theater seating

I traded my projector for an OLED TV – and now I’m ready to trade back

By Al Griffin published

OLED TV picture quality can make movies look stunningly good, but the visual immersion projectors bring is arguably the most important factor.

Nakamichi Dragon soundbar system in living room setting with big TV

Nakamichi’s Sonos-stomping Dragon Dolby Atmos soundbar is available for pre-order

By Al Griffin published

Nakamichi's no-compromise, 21-channel soundbar is now available to pre-order, but at a frighteningly high cost

Woman standing in field holding phone in hands with Spotify app onscreen

Spotify is ‘ready to raise prices’ – cancel it and check out these alternatives

By Al Griffin published

There have been previous indications of a Spotify price hike, but chief executive Daniel Ek's most recent comments confirm it's around the corner.

The Walking Dead

As a horror fan, the new AMC+ bundle could replace Netflix for me - but there's a catch

By Al Griffin published

AMC+ is the latest streamer to announce an ad-supported tier, but given the service's heavy horror genre leanings, it seems like a non-starter.

Black stereo speakers on black table with wireless streaming device

How to make your wired speakers go wireless

By Al Griffin published

Here’s our guide to converting regular stereo speakers into wireless speakers for streaming music from Apple Music, Spotify, and other music services.

Tidal app screenshots on gray background

Tidal’s new Live social music streaming feature let me DJ into the void

By Al Griffin last updated

Live, a Tidal feature that lets you livestream music to other listeners, adds a new social component to the service's app. But is it social enough?

Magnetar UDP900 blu-ray player on blue background

Blu-ray discs won’t last forever, but this new beast of a 4K Blu-ray player might

By Al Griffin published

The new Magnetar UDP900 is a high-priced option for Blu-ray disc fans, but with build quality this rugged, it will likely be the last player you ever buy.

Spotify app on phone wrapped in headphones on gray background

Spotify HiFi is never coming, and that's just fine

By Al Griffin published

A Lossless HiFi music tier is something Spotify has promised since 2021, but with all the company's recent changes, it no longer seems relevant.

TV broadcast tower shown in center of urban area

If ATSC 3.0 broadcasts pack 50 radio stations in one TV channel, I’m all ears

By Al Griffin published

The NAB show will feature radio transmitted over ATSC 3.0 digital TV channels, merging two broadcast technologies.

PSB M4U TWM wireless earbuds on white background

Forget AirPods and Spatial Audio, these new, cheaper earbuds have ‘RoomFeel’

By Al Griffin published

PSB's new earbuds and over-ear headphones offer wireless aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, but their best feature could be one that takes the sound out of your head.

Samsung S90C OLED TV on white background

I think Samsung’s cheaper S90C OLED TV could be the best TV deal of 2023

By Al Griffin published

Samsung’s new flagship S95C has grabbed the OLED TV spotlight, but the company’s step-down model could outshine it when it comes to overall value.

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