Reviews: Griffin Technology PowerWave and Spire USA Boot Sleeve

April 15, 2003
by IRENE TOSETTI
European Columnist

Griffin Technology's PowerWave

Are you an audiophile? Or maybe you happen to really l-o-v-e music? Or you just can't live without your iPod? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please keep on reading... We've put our hands on an awesome device by Griffin Technology: the PowerWave, a USB Audio Interface and desktop amplifier. It's basically a little black box with multiple stereo inputs and outputs; it contains a 20-Watt amplifier that can drive unpowered speakers and even sports an active USB hub for passthrough connection of more USB devices. It's compatible with Mac OS 9, OS X and even Windows.

So let's suppose you have a PowerWave in front of you, and you've just connected it to a spare USB port on your iBook or PowerBook. Now what can you do with it? The answer is: just about anything! You can now archive all your vinyl records and tapes to make CDs or MP3s, you can attach Apple Pro Speakers or any set of home stereo speakers to your computer, record or amplify any instruments or voice with a choice of Mic or Line-In levels, amplify your iPod, or set up a zero latency monitor (thanks to a Thru switch) for multitrack home studio recording, amplify computer audio output for games and music, record from your computer to a tape deck, connect headphones, or use it as a portable amplifier (even as a stand-alone amp!) for your iPod or other MP3 players.

The PowerWave comes fully equipped with a power-supply and lots of cables: a speaker breakout cable to connect any stereo speakers to your Mac, a USB computer connector cable, a RCA male-to-stereo minijack audio cable and a RCA female-to-stereo mini jack male audio cable. This is enough to cover most of your audio needs - and they also happen to be good quality, so you won't have to go buy better ones because of background noise issues. The guys at Griffin Technology also put a very clear user manual in the box, so you can be up and running in a matter of minutes, no matter what you want to do, it's all explained in a fool-proof way.

Ok, by now you'll probably be wondering how much this costs... The good news is that it is really cheap for what it does: it comes at a suggested retail price of $99.99. I personally haven't seen anything that comes close to it for that amount of money, and I was extremely impressed to hear the professional-grade sound that you can get out of it, both in output and in recording. At $99, the PowerWave is a real bargain that music lovers must not miss. A big thumbs-up for Griffin Technology!

For complete tech specs and more details about the PowerWave, check out Griffin Technology's website.

Spire USA Boot

If you're in need of an inexpensive sleeve case for your iBook, or PowerBook, the Boot by SpireUSA might be a good option.

The Boot is a small and low-profile padded sleeve made of water-repellent ballystic nylon; it features a rear pocket with Velcro closure, a reinforced top handle, a very basic shoulder strap (unfortunately not padded). This case was designed to let you carry your notebook inside any backpack or other bag, so bear in mind that it is NOT the right option if you're looking for a complete luggage solution (even if in that case you might consider combining it with other Spire products); it will not give you hardcore protection nor help you effortlessly haul your laptop on a long walk. But on the other hand, if what you need is a light, compact and affordable sleeve to prevent your computer from getting bumps and scratches when you put it inside a backpack, then this could be a great choice.

The Boot is available in different sizes that will fit any iBook and any Powerbook (up to the new 17'' PB); prices range from $29.50 to $34.00. For more details on the Boot, please check out Spire USA.