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 Night Agent season 2: Everything we know so far

We'll get you ready for The Night Agent season 2!

Luciane Buchanan and Gabriel Basso in The Night Agent.

The Night Agent may not be everyone's choice to be among the best shows on Netflix, but it's in the top ten for us! The Shield creator Shawn Ryan adapted Matthew Quirk's spy action thriller, The Night Agent, for Netflix in 2023, and it proved to be a hit out of the gate. By Netflix's internal metrics, it's the sixth-highest viewed series in the history of the platform.

Those kind of numbers mean that a second season was inevitable, and Netflix made it official just over a week after The Night Agent premiered. Since the series is back in production, the details about what's coming up on the show have started to trickle out. To help you stay on top of this series, here's everything we know about The Night Agent season 2.
What is The Night Agent about?

Culture

The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

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