Witchdoctor

Witchdoctor is an online magazine focused on entertainment for adults. Our content centers around genuine products and thoughtful ideas. We avoid clickbait and steer clear of trendy “lifestyle” topics. We also have no interest in celebrities or influencers. As New Zealand's sole source for trustworthy and straightforward reviews and articles, Witchdoctor covers music, film, television, technology (including hi-fi, AV, gadgets, and more), and other related topics.

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Speaker positioning: audio spatial awareness a must

5 days ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Gary Steel

One month ago, I wrote about moving my stereo system into a new, dedicated listening environment and my big boo-boo, which resulted in possibly the worst sound I’ve ever heard emitting from high-end speakers. (Check that piece out here.) As it turned out, the solution was simple, and when I chanced upon it, the sound transformed into something I would describe as listenable. But niggles persisted.
The best (and worst) TV shows & films streaming in NZ right now

6 days ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Gary Steel

Abigail (Netflix) 7/10If you loved M3gan but now find yourself at a loose end, hoping that something similarly cool and different might come along, Abigail (2024) might just do. Like that film, Abigail features an adorable young girl who has something surprising and horrific up her sleeve, metaphorically speaking. (And yes, I realise M3gan is/was a doll, but you get my point).
Suunto's Run fitness tracker will keep you moving

1 week ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

Summary If running/jogging and the whole fitness thing is your jam, then there’s a strong chance that you’ve probably already heard of Suunto. Their latest watch, the Suunto Run, is an affordable AMOLED sport-centric fitness tracker. Even though I am no runner (my exercise maxes out at pint lifting), I went wrist-on with it to see what it’s capable of.
Light up your life: strip lighting that's sparkly and smart

1 week ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

Summary I’ve long waxed lyrical about the benefits of LED lighting, and the introduction of Hue smart lights made it a colourful no-brainer for any smart home, including that of Cassa Pilch. Smart lights use less electricity than old-school incandescent bulbs and can switch to millions of combinations of colour and brightness. Best of all, they can be controlled using smart assistants like Alexa, Google, Siri, and others.
Blast From The Past: Marlon Williams

1 week ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Gary Steel

Marlon Williams – Hi Gary? Gary Steel – Hello Marlon, how ya doin’? Marlon – I’m well, how are you? Gary – Good, good. So, what time of the day is it there? Marlon – [silence] Ah… 2.30? What… where are you? Gary – I’m in Auckland. Marlon – So am I!Gary – I thought you were in the States at the moment. Marlon – No, I go tomorrow. I was initially going to be there today, but I had to change flights. Gary – Well I’m in Helensville, it could be a couple of seconds different.
How to avoid culinary catastrophes in 5 easy steps

1 week ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

It’s no secret that I love cooking almost as much as eating. The only trouble is that things can sometimes go wrong in the kitchen. Making mistakes is also my superpower. Here are some simple steps I follow when cooking that can help keep the fuck-up fairy away from your culinary concoctions. RESEARCH: Before I cook anything new, I spend time researching. New dishes or cuisines I’m unfamiliar with mean reading up on a new cooking technique or new ingredients.
Annke's solar-assisted WB300 security camera reviewed

2 weeks ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

Summary Recently, I reviewed the oddly named Annke Wiffle Smart Doorbell and was impressed by the sheer amount of bang for the buck on offer, especially compared to more expensive big-brand products. So, when the chance came up to check out Annke’s WB300 solar-powered tilt/zoom outdoor wireless security camera (phew!), I leapt at it. A solar-powered 2K video tilt and pan security for a hair under $113? What’s the catch?
Sennheiser HD25 Plus: Updating a Classic

2 weeks ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

Summary If you’re a headphone fanboy, the odds are good that you’ll have heard of the Sennheiser HD25 cans. Since their launch 20+ years ago, they’ve built a cult-like following in production and DJ circles. In the hi-fi industry, standing still is paramount to going backwards, and not being a brand that likes to be left behind, Sennheiser has updated its legendary HD25 to the HD 25 Plus. As you’d expect, the HD25 Plus is solidly built.
The best (and worst) streaming TV shows & films right now

2 weeks ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Gary Steel

Abbey Road: If These Walls Could Sing (Disney+) 5/10Having thoroughly enjoyed the McCartney 3.2.1 documentary series I figured this feature – directed by Paul McCartney’s daughter Mary – on the iconic recording studio where The Beatles made their music, might make for a fascinating companion piece. Instead, it’s a bit dull, really. Released in 2022, the film takes a piecemeal approach to the studio and its story and, disappointingly, highlights several bloody awful artists (Oasis, Kanye West).
Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni: The next step in robot cleaning?

3 weeks ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

Summary The evolution of robot vacuum cleaners is happening at an incredible pace. My first unit in the early 2000s was more of a battery-powered dodgem that sometimes picked stuff up off the floor but, more often than not, got into serious trouble when it encountered a sock or any other object small enough to get tangled up in its innards.