Articles by 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

I listened to a $69,000 ‘lifestyle’ speaker – here’s what you get for all that money

By Al Griffin Published 11 August 25

Focal's new Diva Mezza Utopia made its US debut at Audio Advice Live 25, and these speakers' next-level sound quality was a highlight of the show.

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from GPT-5's rocky debut to Sonos' upcoming price hike

By Hamish Hector Published 9 August 25

This week ChatGPT got an upgrade, and Tom Holland swung back into action as Spider-Man.

JVC NZ900 projector displaying image of Spider-Man

I thought I knew home theater bass until I experienced an 11.13.8-channel demo with an ‘infrasonic’ 32-inch subwoofer

By Al Griffin Published 8 August 25

The Ascendo/Trinnov demo at Audio Advice Live 25 reached a new high in Dolby Atmos immersion, and a new low in bass reproduction.

Harmon Kardon Enchant 1100 soundbar on shelf with Enchant subwoofer

Harman Kardon’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar is like a Sonos Arc Ultra, but with all the features Sonos left out

By Al Griffin Published 6 August 25

Harman Kardon displayed its new Enchant series soundbars and speakers at Audio Advice Live 25, and they look to be an appealing alternative to the Sonos audio ecosystem.

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‘Don’t call it a soundbar’: KEF’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar is more than meets the eye

By Al Griffin Published 5 August 25

KEF debuted its first Dolby Atmos soundbar at Audio Advice Live 25, and this all-in-one model could be the best new soundbar of 2025.

Focal Utopia theater system projection screen showing image of spatial audio mix

I listened to spatial audio on a 7.4.4-channel Focal speaker system, and now I need to up my Dolby Atmos music game

By Al Griffin Published 2 August 25

Focal's 7.4.4-channel Utopia Cinema speaker system is being showcased at Audio Advice Live 2025, and it delivers exceptional sound with both movies and Dolby Atmos music.

4 Comments

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 projecting image of motorcycle racer

Epson’s new laser projector with 4K 120Hz support is its cheapest gaming projector yet

By Al Griffin Published 31 July 25

Epson's latest addition to its Pro Cinema projector lineup brings 4K resolution and 120Hz gaming support to a new low price for the company.

These are the 5 best Amazon Prime Day projector deals, with one so good I almost can’t believe it

By Al Griffin Published 9 July 25

Prime Day offers a unique opportunity to score a big discount on a projector, and here are the five best deals I've uncovered in Amazon's sale.

sony theater bar 6 soundbar on green background

Sony’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar has hit a record-low price for Amazon Prime Day

By Al Griffin Published 8 July 25

Sony's latest Dolby Atmos soundbar has good sound and room-filling bass, and it's now also great value in this Prime Day deal.

Amazon makes many Fire TVs, but there’s only one I’d buy in the Prime Day sales

By Al Griffin Published 8 July 25

The Omni Mini-LED is the best TV Amazon makes, and it's getting a big discount for Prime Day.

A Nintendo Switch 2 next to hands holding the Sigma BF and a B&O Bluetooth speaker sitting on a table

The best tech of 2025 so far – the 17 finest gadgets we've tested this year

By Mark Wilson Published 5 July 25

TechRadar has spent days testing products across phones, TVs, laptops, cameras, smartwatches and more in 2025. These are the best ones we've reviewed so far this year.

Sony Bravia 8 II showing image of landscape

Sony Bravia 8 II review: a better, brighter Sony OLED TV that sounds as good as it looks

By Al Griffin Published 28 June 25

Recommended

Sony’s new flagship OLED has a significantly brighter picture than its Bravia 8 predecessor, and its built-in sound puts most other TVs to shame.

Collage of 3 TVs showing colorful images

I review TVs for a living, and these are the 3 best TVs I’ve tested so far in 2025

By Al Griffin Published 27 June 25

We're only halfway through 2025, but these TVs have already emerged as top picks, and they are starting to see discounts.

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Three mini LED TVs showing colorful abstract images

I tested 3 flagship mini-LED TVs – here’s the one I’d spend my own money on

By Al Griffin Published 18 June 25

I've tested the top mini-LED TVs from Hisense, Samsung, and TCL. Here are my thoughts on what each model does well, and which one I'd personally lean toward buying.

LG G5 and Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TVs showing images of mountainside and squirrel

I tested the Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TV, and I don’t think Samsung and LG have anything to worry about

By Al Griffin Published 17 June 25

Sony's new Bravia 8 II flagship OLED TV has arrived at a premium price. Does it have what it takes to stand up to this year's OLED competition?

visionOS 26 Personas, Liquid Glass on iOS 26 on an iPhone, and macOS 26 Tahoe

15 things we learned at the Apple WWDC 2025 keynote

By Marc McLaren Published 9 June 25

Apple's WWDC 2025 was packed with big software announcements. Here are the key details you need in your brain.

The new tvOS 26 feature I’m most excited for is also the most obvious upgrade Apple could make to match Samsung and LG

By Al Griffin Published 9 June 25

Display Profiles gets an update in tvOS 26, and it's one enhancement that will help Apple keep up with the smart TV competition.

Apple TV home screen showing Fountain of Youth

The 5 new Apple TV 4K features coming in tvOS 26 you need to know about

By Al Griffin Published 9 June 25

Apple announced the new tvOS 26 at WWDC 2025: here are the new features coming to your Apple TV or Apple TV 4K streaming box.

Samsung QN90F TV review: an outstanding mini-LED TV for bright room viewing

By Al Griffin Published 8 June 25

Editor's Choice

The Samsung QN90F combines refined picture quality with a wide range of well-executed features, making it an excellent TV for movies, sports, and gaming. It's comparatively pricey, but worth it.

10 great Father’s Day gifts for movie-loving dads: from OLED TVs to Dolby Atmos soundbars

By Dave Meikleham Published 5 June 25

On the hunt for the perfect present for your AV-loving pop this Father’s Day? We’ve got your gift needs covered.

Hisense U8QG showing image of mountain range

Hisense U8QG review: a brighter and all-around better Hisense mini-LED TV

By Al Griffin Published 25 May 25

Recommended

The Hisense U8QG is a great value and the brand's brightest TV yet. It's also packed with a wide array of features that make it an excellent option for gaming.

Epson QL7000 showing football games on screen at CEDIA 20204

The Epson QL7000 is by far the brightest projector I’ve tested – but how bright do 4K projectors need to be?

By Al Griffin Published 6 May 25

Brightness is a projector spec that gets plenty of attention, but other factors can make an even more important contribution to picture quality.

Epson QL7000 projector review: unmatched brightness in a stylish package

By Al Griffin Published 3 May 25

Recommended

Epson’s QL7000 projector can be paired with screens as large as 300 inches, and it’s so bright you won’t even need to dim the lights.

LG G5 OLED TV showing image of landscape

LG Display announces viability of ‘Dream OLED’ tech – but I wouldn't count on seeing it in the next generation of OLED TVs

By Al Griffin Published 1 May 25

LG announced a hybrid two-stack OLED display with blue fluorescence in the lower stack and blue phosphorescence in the upper stack that gets us closer to the dream of a perfect OLED TV.

Living room with screen showing Kaleidescape movie library

This 4K Blu-ray alternative could be the shot in the arm that 8K TVs desperately need

By Al Griffin Published 21 April 25

Movie player/server maker Kaleidescape has joined the 8K Association, giving home theater fans hope for more and better 8K at home.

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