Al Griffin

Spotify on the Logitech Squeezebox Touch

Streaming Deathmatch: Spotify Premium vs. MOG

The reigning champ takes on the greatest thing since Wasa bread

By Al Griffin
Posted July 19, 2011
5

Sometimes the mere fact of something being inaccessible can enhance its value — a lot. Take Spotify, for example. For years we’ve wondered when music labels would finally allow the European online music service to make its supposed 15 million-track library available here. That day has finally arrived.

» Read More

DVDs: Reference Disc

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

By Al Griffin
Posted January 15, 2006

An edgy update, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Warner; Movie •••½, Picture/Sound ••••, Extras ••••) takes several liberties with Roald Dahl's classic book, but it also manages to convey the story's dark humor.

» Read More

Test Bench: Pioneer Elite PRO-1130HD 50-inch Plasma HDTV

By Al Griffin
Posted February 4, 2006

Color temperature (Mid/Low mode before/Manual mode after calibration): Low window (20-IRE): 6,545/6,670 K High window (80-IRE): 6,443/6,571 K Brightness (100-IRE window before/after calibration): 37.1/35.5 ftL

» Read More

iPod Speakers Get Serious

Klipsch iFi System

By Al Griffin
Posted September 1, 2005

The Short Form klipsch.com/ifi / 800-554-7724 / $400 / Satellites 8.75 IN high / Subwoofer 10.75 x 10.75 x 14 IN, 25 LBS

» Read More

The High-Definition DVD Dance

CES Special Report: January 8, 2006

By Al Griffin
Posted January 8, 2006

The Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1 Blu-ray player is due in May at a price of $1,800

» Read More

HDTV at CES 2006

CES Special Report: January 8, 2006

By Al Griffin
Posted January 8, 2006

Sony Bravia KDL-46S200 46-inch, 1080p LCD HDTV

As usual, there's no shortage of cool HDTVs to check out here at CES. But a few new developments have caught my attention - all of them good, and all worth considering as you make plans to invest in a new high-def set.

» Read More

JBL Studio L Series Home Theater Speaker System

By Al Griffin
Posted February 4, 2006

Speaker maker JBL is just one part of the Harman International family, but for a brand that makes up only a single slice of a large pie, it has an incredibly diverse product mix. Along with home theater speakers, JBL makes systems for music-recording and film sound-mixing studios, movie theaters, concert halls, computers, and cars.

» Read More

DVDs: Reference Disc

The Island

By Al Griffin
Posted February 4, 2006

Do clones deserve the same rights as their human progenitors? That's the ethical dilemma that director Michael Bay grapples with in the sci-fi foray The Island (DreamWorks; Movie •••, Picture/Sound ••••½, Extras ••).

» Read More

Targus SoundUP iPod Sound Enhancer

By Al Griffin
Posted April 4, 2006

The compact Targus SoundUP iPod sound enhancer plugs into any third- or fourth-generation iPod or iPod photo and is said to "recreate studio-quality sound" from digitally compressed music. That's a big claim for such a little device - one we had to check out.

» Read More

Toshiba 37HLX95 37-inch LCD HDTV/DVD Combo

By Al Griffin
Posted April 3, 2006

By now, LCD technology has all but taken over the small-screen TV category. You can still buy a small traditional tube set, but most folks looking for a TV to stick in a bedroom or kids' play area will find LCD more appealing. The main reason, of course, is the space-saving flat-panel screen.

» Read More