Hi-Fi Corner: This Bluetooth amp makes nearly any speakers wireless

By Caleb Denison February 1, 2015

hi fi corner griffin 20 amp takes speaker set wireless white — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Now that the world is firmly entrenched in the age of wireless audio, it seems like everyone is looking for a way to cut the wires. There’s no shortage of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market, but few of them offer quality sound performance in an affordable package, and even fewer still offer the luxury of stereo separation. But now, thanks to Griffin, there’s a compact and attractive way to turn nearly any pair of passive speakers wireless. Say hello to the Griffin 20.

Named after this sexy little unit’s 20 watts of power per channel, the Griffin 20 won’t allow you to rock a block party. But it should be more than sufficient for casual indoor or outdoor listening. Let’s say you want to set up a garage audio system with some oldie-but-goodie towers you’ve got sitting around — the Griffin 20 would be perfect. If you’ve got a subwoofer to throw into he equation, the 20 can handle that as well, thanks to a dedicated subwoofer output.

This is no el-cheapo wireless sound solution, either. Just taking a look at the amp’s binding posts and gold-plated jacks instantly denotes a quality piece of gear. The large silver volume knob feels weighty, and the digital optical input for connection to another component, such as a gaming console or cable/satellite box, is a fantastic addition. Streaming is accomplished via Bluetooth with aptX, allowing for up to CD-quality sound with compatible devices.

At just $150, the Griffin 20 is a slam-dunk of a value. This unit makes for a classy addition to any traditional setup, and also serves as a great gift idea for your music loving friends or relatives. You can even bundle in a pair of excellent NHT Super Zero speakers for $300 total, or add in a great compact NHT sub at $600 for the total package at Griffin’s online store.

For those looking to transition painlessly into the world of wireless audio, or bring back some much-loved speakers from the dead, the Griffin 20 is a great solution.

This article was taken from a piece on our brother site, Digital Trends.

Culture

The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Culture

This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts

The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer

Culture

Reacher season 3: Everything we know so far

Get up to date on Reacher season 3!

Alan Ritchson in Reacher.

The era of Jack Ryan may be over, but Reacher is carrying on as one of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. This action thriller is based upon Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, which previously featured Tom Cruise in the leading role of two different movies. But for Prime Video, Alan Ritchson has stepped into the role of Jack Reacher, a former member of the United States Army Military Police Corps who drifts from town to town and takes justice into his own hands when the local law enforcement isn't enough.

Prime Video didn't waste any time before renewing Reacher for a third season last year. And while new episodes are still several months away, we're sharing everything we know about Reacher season 3.
Which Reacher novel will season 3 be based on?