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Low Fi / Mid Fi / High Fi ?

Guys I would like to know what the imaginary guidelines are! It can't be price.Since there's alot of great gear that doesn't make you mortgage the house!And this Hifi sound thing...some refer to hifi as bad...what gives?LowFi is easy for me ,just about any audio component out of a big chain store(mass market).In a blindfold test does anyone think they would be able to tell the difference between this midfi or hifi thing? Or do we use this as a tool to feel better about spending so much money on this stuff.Is there a mystical book that puts these components in catergories?Please fellow audiophiles fill me and others in on this.

Thanks in advance!
gmood1
9 responses Add your response
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Used to be a standard but since this standard had been outperformed during mid to end 70's it became a market tool.
bomarc
501 posts
 
I don't really think it's a marketing tool, because these terms are almost never used in advertising. Hifi was a marketing term back in the early days of solid state stereo. (I remember my 30-something parents proudly bringing home a walnut cabinet thing.) If it's used with derision now, it's probably in reference to that kind of product.

Low-fi and mid-fi are used by some to describe any equipment they regard as not as good as their own. Many of these same people tend to put great stock in the cost of gear, so it is indeed very much about price.

Basically, these terms mean nothing, except to warn you away from the kinds of people who use them.
amthanh
34 posts
 
Hello,
Order a book from UHF magazine. They have a book describe very clear about this.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Ok,everything I have is better than what anyone else has--(YES!!!)--Now seriously folks: In today's market I would say most all the stuff CC has would be lo-fi. I would say Rotel,Sony,NHT, and the lke would be mid-fi. Then the expensive stuff would be higher-fi. AND,YES Mable, the high-er end does cost more. Someone may love their lo/mid-fi--but I'll bet we could sub. some really high end pieces; and they would love it that much more. --- I figure everybody knows this,Right?
gmood1 OP
1,251 posts
 
Thanks guys for your input!
Happy Listening!!
jc2000
92 posts
 
I personally use the label hi-fi for anything designed to offer good musical performance. Thus, I'd use this label for both NAD C521i and the Linn CD 12. (This may be the first time these two CD players are mentioned in the same sentence!)

At the same time, I don't generally use the labels low-fi or mid-fi. I guess I try to ignore mass market electronics as much as I can.
gmood1 OP
1,251 posts
 
Jc2000,that's my take on this stuff as well.I have tried listening to some 40k systems that were..Gulp...dry with no real life.So it's all about being musical to me.If I'am still sitting there after an hour, it's a winner in my book!Price is a factor up to a point.. after that I feel like I'am pissing in the wind!
cdc
1,660 posts
 
Axiom M22ti and Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 are arguably high end for around $300 but without bass.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Cdc,
High-Fi standard was established in late-60's early 70's towards the level of distortions thruoghout full range.
Speakers or amps with no bass cannot fall onto that category FYI.
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