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

Sony HT-S2000 soundbar on TV stand with Netflix Black Mirror menu in background

3 ways Sony’s budget Dolby Atmos soundbar beats the Sonos Beam, and 2 ways it doesn’t

By Al Griffin last updated

Sony's new Dolby Atmos soundbar is positioned to beat the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and in some ways succeeds – but not all.

WiiM Pro streamer on white surface with hi-fi amp

A free update to WiiM’s cheap wireless high-res music streamer adds a great feature found on expensive streamers

By Al Griffin published

A free upgrade to the WiiM Pro adds Roon Ready certification, making a great wireless music streamer even better

Skullcandy Rail ANC earbuds on purple background

Skullcandy’s new earbuds are for AirPods Pro 2 haters who like to save money

By Al Griffin published

Skullcandy's Rail ANC are priced to compete with Apple's wireless buds, offering AirPods Pro 2-type features at half the price.

Man's hand holding iPhone in car with CarPlay screen behind

Forget Apple Vision Pro, music sharing in CarPlay is the most exciting Apple news

By Al Griffin published

WWDC 2023 The new SharePlay for CarPlay iOS 17 feature will make road trips more fun by letting all passengers be an Apple Music DJ.

A still from Avatar: The Way of Water

You’ll need an Apple Vision Pro to watch Avatar 2 as James Cameron intended at home

By Al Griffin last updated

WWDC 2023 Apple's long-anticipated Vision Pro can do many things, but will 3D movie-viewing be one of its more popular applications?

tvos 17

4 great Apple TV 4K features announced at WWDC 2023, and 1 big miss

By Al Griffin published

Apple's tvOS 17 announcement at WWDC 2023 highlighted new social and productivity apps, but gaming was ignored.

Apple Vision Pro

15 things we learned at Apple's WWDC 2023 event

By Marc McLaren published

The WWDC 2023 keynote gave us Apple Vision Pro, iOS 17, new MacBooks and much, much more.

The Apple TV 4K 2022 with its remote on a grey background

tvOS 17: 6 upgrades for Apple TV 4K we need to see at WWDC 2023

By Al Griffin last updated

With WWDC almost here, here are the Apple TV 4K improvements we want to hear about in tvOS 17.

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.

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