HiFi vs MidFi

So HIFI poisoned Snow White? I’m so confused

I’d like to take deep breath, pause for a moment and acknowledge this thing called “midfi”.  “Midfi” is, by definition, an upgrade over “lowfi”, which is itself an upgrade over “nofi”.   A lot of us began this journey with “nofi” and were introduced to something at some point that played music.  In our family’s case it was one of those units with fold down record player and speakers on hinges that could be detached for “better stereo separation.”  Later on, we may have been introduced to a larger version of a “console stereo” that played louder, until which time the revelation of “stereo components” came into view.  We’d sit there between those speakers with fret wood grilles, mesmerized by those blue indicators on the receiver as we lowered the tonearm and raced back to our seats before the music started.  Then, it was hifi heaven.  We could feel the bass.  The sound magically panned from the left speaker to the right speaker and we were enamored with the effects.  Acoustic instruments got up close and personal.  Vocals were intimate and emotionally charged.  We didn’t know what staging was.  And didn’t care.  Or black backgrounds.  Or micro dynamics.  Our idea of “balance” was putting a smiley face on that 10-band equalizer, or mess with it long enough to deliver what we defined as our personal preferences.  If we wanted to look (and, feel) sophisticated, we’d tap down some Borkum Riff tobacco in our pipes and assume the “critical listening” position while engaging in some not-so-critical listening.

Then, it happened.  Some event resulted in high(er) resolution audio right there in front of us.  I my case it was in the “high end” shop in the city I grew up in.   Mac amp/preamp and ESS AMT1s playing Blood Sweat and Tears.  I couldn’t easily describe what was different.  It was just much clearer than my system.  Tighter.  More engaging.  I just knew I enjoyed the sound and wanted my experience at home to more like what I had just heard.  I didn’t appreciate my system at home any less.  In fact, I grew even fonder of the system realizing just how far it had taken me from the “nofi” days.  

The makers of the “mifi gear” were not (and are currently not) stupid.  They realized that the majority of consumers were not “audio purists” and wanted a balance of functionality (tone controls, dual tape monitors, speaker selectors) and pleasing esthetics (wooden cases, backlit dials, brushed aluminum faceplates, meters).  They also understood the basic math that building “separates” (amp, preamp and tuner) with 3 separate chassis, power cords, cartons, packing, owner’s manuals, service manuals, and shipping would exponentially increase the cost over a single chassis “receiver” thus making “mifi” unreachable for the majority of consumers.  The “mifi” package was, and still is, very appealing in that it touches on many needs, and budgets, but most importantly, creates an integral path from “nofi” tor “lowfi” into “hifi”.  

I was one of the lucky souls whose hobby tuned into a career.  Our offerings started at $300 shelf systems and topped out about $80k for a 2-channel music system.  There was always a “value proposition” involved.  Many times, “intangibles” consumed a large chunk of the budget.  In our Bang & Olufsen days, I’d carefully instruct the customer that ½ of their budget was going to be spent on esthetics.  While B&O audio performance placed it clearing in the “midfi” range, in my opinion, the “cool factor” or having a piece of Danish art in their home was worth the price of admission for some.  And there were those willing to put a brown paper bag to cover up their homely gear when not in use as long as it sounded good – and they weren’t paying a nickel for anything that wasn’t related to sound quality.  We can extend this into additional indulgences in our lives where “other factors” other than all-out-bang-for-the-buck performance as prime motivators of our decision making.  If this were true, we’d all be driving supercharged fox-bodied Mustangs (straight line acceleration) or auto-cross prepared Miatas (twists and turns).  Yes, we have to get the darned groceries.  Commute to work.  Take the dog to the vet.  And haul the occasional passenger.  So, we opt for reliable “consumer” transportation with USB ports, NAV systems, and heated seats.  Yes, we are willing to pay for other things outside of raw performance.

There was a point in our lives where “mifi” was not just “good enough”, it was the <insert expletive!!!>  It was the entrance ramp for this “work in progress” of building high resolution audio systems for listening to recorded music at home.  It had the power to place us there alongside 500,000 other peace-loving people on a farm in New York state.  It had the power resurrect the energy and presence of deceased musicians in our living rooms.  And, for many the power of “midfi” is still powerful today.  There’s a term “you don’t know what you don’t know.”  They just don’t know how miserable they should be with their purchases.  

So, I propose a toast to all the “mifi” manufacturers and products that brought us where we are today.  Without “midfi” we wouldn’t have gotten to “hifi”.  Midfi = mid-priced/mid performance.  Let’s all grab a bottle/glass of mid-priced/mid performance beer/wine/other and celebrate one of the best friends we’ve ever had.  Cheers!

So, I propose a toast to all the “mifi” manufacturers and products that brought us where we are today. Without “midfi” we wouldn’t have gotten to “hifi”. Midfi = mid-priced/mid performance. Let’s all grab a bottle/glass of mid-priced/mid performance beer/wine/other and celebrate one of the best friends we’ve ever had.