When classifying mid fi vs hi end you need to look at the system as a whole. I might be in the minority but loudspeakers are where one can cut cost. Why? Speakers are the most flawed component and most room dependent. Two of my favorite speakers at different price points Magico A5 $27k and Acoustic Energy AE520 at $5.5K. Can you build a true HEA system around an AE 520? My answer is yes but one cannot cut corners on electronics/source and cables. If a Magico A5 is properly set up it can rival many $50k loudspeakers in an appropriate sized room.
When are speakers considered Hi-Fi and not Mid-Fi???
What determines the status of "Hi-Fi?" I was recently considering a pair of Klipsch Heritage Cornwall speakers. They get rave reviews, have almost a cult-like following, no longer have harshness from the horns, and are very resolving. Other than not reaching down too low into the bass as some speakers do, why are they not considered Hi-Fi? They can clearly reproduce the full range of sound with an incredible image and are not missing any capability in person or on paper. Seems when we follow a thread on here about most any speaker at any price there is always a contingent that feels to need to post that the certain speakers under discussion are Mid-Fi not Hi-Fi. I only use the Klipsch Cornwalls as an example to start. Budget is not an issue, and cost should not dictate. I was also looking at the Magnepan 20.7 for another example, and they are $13k more than the Klipsch, but low and behold someone within seconds pops up and says these are Mid-Fi speakers. I kind of bet I could ask about a Sonus Faber Aida at $130k and within a few seconds someone will pop in and call them Mid-Fi as well. When do we reach "Hi-Fi" these days? Is it simply an endless and baseless dick-measuring contest? Seems like it. If we were talking cars we always have the guy who brags about the 0-60 times of certain cars, but it's clear that the 0-60 time alone does not qualify a car to be a "supercar" as there are so many other things the car must have and do to make it into that class, and like speakers there is not always 100% agreement on what the factors are. When do we reach Hi-Fi status for speakers???
Showing 2 responses by dayglow
@kokakolia Your making many silly assumptions regarding HEA. Audiophiles accept and even some embrace the challenge, time and effort needed to achieve synergy within their systems. A lower fi (plug n play) system also needs room treatment which could end up costing more than the entire system. |