What is Hi-Fi, Mid-Fi, and Low-Fi ???

Right!

 

That's great ! Thanks for the encouragement !

Cause yeah....One can always upgrade and improve upon their system !

Fantastic Gary !!!!!!!!!

 

Lo-Fi: Macallan 12
Mid-Fi: Macallan 18
Hi-Fi: Macallan 25
Hi-End: Macallan 50

 

I don't think these three categories are necessarily the way audio equipment is classified in the minds of most consumers, or reviewers for that matter. But, if you want to take the view that it isn't strictly about price points (I don't, although there is typically a correlation, if only temporarily because technology changes) then here's my stab at definitions.

Hi-Fi (or high-end): State-of-the-Art performance in audio components, engineered for the best in sound quality, where cost and affordability are not a limiting concern. These are not aimed at a mass-market or made affordable for the purpose of reaching the average consumer. There are Hi-Fi products that are relatively affordable, but the priority is absolute performance rather than highest value for the expenditure.

Mid-Fi: These are generally reasonable priced and often good value items that produce a musically satisfying and respectable level of performance, but have some shortcomings and are not the best. They are aimed more at the people who want decent quality in music playback, but aren't chasing the ultimate experience. Of course affordability is a main goal here so that more people can buy and enjoy these products. As such, compromises are made, and the sound quality or fidelity winds up good, but usually less than superb. There are mid-fi separate components as well as combo products like receivers.

Low-Fi: Audio products made to sell cheaply as a commodity in the market, without concern for quality of sound, to customers who do not discriminate on that basis. Typical examples would be earbuds for portable devices or computer speakers thrown in with the devices as part of the system package. Same thing with many default receivers and speakers put into automobiles.

 

Oh, yeah! You nailed it! There's lots of arguments around here about what it means to be an audiophile, and lots of denial, shame, and negativity. But what you said here is pretty close to my definition of an audiophile. It's a good thing! Discovery and experience of better sound brings joy and more appreciation of the music. Rock on.

But if you distill the gist of what is being said by the majority of posters in this thread, you would conclude that Hi-Fi is all about mental attitudes, rather than gear. Fascinating and strange. The times we live in. Everything is perceived as subjective and relative.

 

SORRY OP.

If you are asking, then its because you HAVE NOT heard the major differences. You're still stuck in mid-fi, your equipment is barely even mid-fi for mid-fi. Go to some speaker and headphone meets. Try planars and electrostats. Try DIY for budget and to learn from engineers and not misinformation from audiophiles. Get a mic and measure your freq response. Get a digital processor that can help correct that FR with EQ.