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

By Caleb Denison Feb 1, 2015 5:00 AM

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.

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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.

Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched expertise in AV and… Read Full Bio

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