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

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.

LG C3 OLED smart interface shown from angle

I tested the LG C3 OLED TV's new Dolby Atmos soundbar upgrade feature and… wow?

By Al Griffin published

WoW Orchestra, a new feature for LG’s TVs that lets them work with a soundbar to deliver a more spacious sound, seems more work in progress than Wow.

Samsung S95C on white background

Samsung’s full 2023 lineup of OLED and Neo QLED TVs is now available

By Al Griffin published

Samsung has been slowly rolling out its new TVs over the past two months, but the full premium OLED and Neo QLED family is now ready to buy.

Woman holding vinyl record with wood paneling in background

Gen Z urged to come clean about its vinyl fetish

By Al Griffin last updated

Vinyl records enjoy ongoing popularity, and a new outreach program from a US-based record-cleaning machine maker aims to teach younger generations about the care and feeding of LPs.

Hisense ULED X TV with NBA logos in background on aqua banner

Hisense’s super-bright 85-inch QLED TV is ready to take on OLED TVs

By Al Griffin published

Hisense has announced a new NBA basketball partnership, and is now the maker of The Official Television of the NBA.

4K Blu-ray action movies splayed out on a kitchen counter

6 great action movies to give your Dolby Atmos soundbar a workout

By Al Griffin published

The best action movies have hard-hitting Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and these six flicks deliver the goods.

LG SC9 soundbar and OLED TV on white background

You can now buy LG’s new Dolby Atmos soundbars that play nice with PS5

By Al Griffin published

LG's new soundbars offer a range of features designed for movie fans and gamers, and one model comes with a new integrated stand for LG C-series OLED TVs.

Samsung 2023 OLED in a dark living room with green abstract image onscreen

Samsung announces US prices for its new OLED TVs, and there’s good and bad news

By Al Griffin published

Samsung announced pricing for its new OLED TVs in the US, and the new lineup features a less pricey, though not exactly cheap, option.

Audio-Technica and Fluance turntables on blue and red background

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT vs Fluance RT81: which cheap turntable should you buy?

By Al Griffin published

Audio-Technica and Fluance make some of the best budget turntables, but there are key design and feature differences between them to consider when shopping.

Samsung Gaxlaxy S23 Ultra moon photos against red background

Calm down: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 'fake moon' tech has been in 4K TVs for years

By Al Griffin published

Opinion AI image enhancement is not without controversy, but it's a technology that's long been used to make 4K TVs look better, and is now paving the way for 8K.

LG G3 and G2 OLED TVs in dark room with screen showing factory workers in yellow uniforms

New OLED material breakthrough could mean cheaper OLED TVs

By Al Griffin published

OLED TVs are a go-to for enthusiasts, but prices remain stubbornly high. Research coming out of a Korean university suggests that situation could be changing.

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 AVR on white background

Pioneer’s new PS5-friendly 8K receiver uses AI to control bass

By Al Griffin published

Pioneer's new Elite 11.2.4-channel receiver is packed with all the latest and greatest AV tech, and some AI smarts as well.

WiiM Pro steamer on wooden desk with compter keyboard and speakers

WiiM’s cheap wireless high-res audio streamer turns any speaker into a Sonos

By Al Griffin published

The new WiiM Pro is a low-cost way to add high-res audio streaming to an existing speaker setup, and it doesn't skimp at all on features.

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