The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Griffin FireWave

Review - Griffin FireWave

by , 9:00 AM EST, December 28th, 2006

Even without Apple's soon to be released iTV home entertainment product, your Mac can serve as the center of your home theater system. And with Griffin's FireWave, you can add true Surround Sound so you can experience movies in all of their audio glory.

The FireWave is a Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II breakout box that connects to your Mac via FireWire. It includes 3.5mm line out ports for left/right channels, center and subwoofer, and left/right surround channels, as well as two FireWire 400 ports. Since it uses actual Dolby Digital processors, you get true Surround Sound from your movies, and not some simulated surround audio knock-off.


The FireWave ships with a FireWire cable and installer CD.

It supports Apple's DVD Player, QuickTime, iTunes, and any other application that can produce Surround Sound. And thanks to that extra FireWire port, I can load my iPod or use my iSight camera without disconnecting my speakers.

The FireWave is really compact - small enough to set on top of a Mac mini. And it's bus powered, so you don't have to worry about losing another power port in your home theater outlet strip.

Before the FireWave can do its magic, you need to install Griffin's FireWave application. Although the unit works without the software installed, you'll need it when you want to simulate Surround Sound with two-channel stereo recordings.

I found that I used Apple's Audio MIDI Setup application that installs with Mac OS X more often than the Sound Preference Pane or the FireWave application to control the FireWave's settings. It gave me far more control over the device than anything else, and since it comes from Apple, I didn't have to worry about hacks that could potentially mess up my sound in other applications. The downside is that I ended up having to use Audio MIDI Setup and the FireWave application to fully configure the device since the surround simulation settings are in Griffin's application.

Using the FireWave was stunningly simple: It just plugs in and works. I did use Audio MIDI Setup to tell my Mac that I was using a 5.1 surround sound speaker setup, and I also had to change a setting in DVD Player's preferences so it knew to output surround audio to the FireWave. That was it.


The FireWave's colors match the iMac and Mac mini.

The first time I tried to use the FireWave, I could output test signals to each speaker, but I lost audio every time I played a DVD movie disc. I emailed Griffin's tech support, and they suggested I try a different FireWire cable. Their advice was spot on. Turns out my test unit shipped with a bad cable.

Griffin's tech support turned out to be knowledgeable, responsive and friendly. I'll assume everyone else will get the same treatment, too, since I didn't let on that I was asking about a review product.

The Bottom Line
Griffin's FireWave can turn most any Mac into a full-on home entertainment audio system. One feature that previously prevented me from using a Mac real movie playback device was a glaring lack of Surround Sound support. Thanks to the FireWave, now I'll have to find room next to the TV for my PowerBook.

Digg!


Product: FireWave

Company: Griffin Technology

List Price: $99.99

Amazon Price: $64

4 out of 5 stars

Pros: Small footprint, FireWire bus powered, adds true Dolby Surround Sound to your Mac.
Cons: Multiple applications required to access all features.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: firewave sucks

do NOT purchase this device. the software that comes with it is horrible and the sound quality sucks.

Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3547 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Subject:

Just so that we don't dismiss you out of hand and think you are a troll, can you please substantiate your criticism: what is horrible about it? and in what way does the sound quality suck?

Comment on this Article


You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated February 11th

Sat, 4:11 PM
MacOS KenDensed - MacOS KenDensed: iPad 3 Frenzy, Big-time Apple & Steve Jobs, G-Man
Fri, 8:10 PM
News - Apple Sues Motorola Mobility in California Over German Case
7:54 PM
Free on iTunes - OnLive Desktop: Windows & Office on Your iPad
7:43 PM
Product News - Apple Rolls Out MacBook Air Configurations for Education
6:35 PM
Just a Peek - Battle Pocket Bulge With The Hint for iPhone
6:01 PM
Rumor - Apple Reportedly Bringing MacBook Air Styling to Pro Line
4:50 PM
Particle Debris - The Hidden Gotchas of Browser Security
3:56 PM
Apple Stock Watch - Analyst: Paying a Dividend Makes Sense for Apple
2:58 PM
Deal Brothers - iMac 27-inch 2.93GHz Intel Quad-Core i7 processor:  $1,999
2:45 PM
In-Depth Review - Theodolite App for iOS is Breathtaking
12:52 PM
Apple Stock Watch - Mizuho Securities Starts Apple Coverage with $635 Target
11:35 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Forum Poll: Are You Planning on Buying a New iPad?

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.
  • Mac RAM Upgrades: MacBook Pro 16GB kits $475, 8GB Kits for $119.99! iMac 16GB RAM Kits (4x 4GB) for $229.99! Mac Pro Memory 32GB Kit for $399.99, 64GB Kit for $889.99! Mac Hard Drives 2TB Seagate SATA II for $249.99! Click Here!
  • Poker Mac If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Online Poker Mac. This mac poker and online casino mac site actually does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!
  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!