??? Where Does "High End" Start ???


 There are terms we in this hobby use to describe certain characteristics of the components or sound evoked...Without fail,the terms entry level,mid-fi & high end will show up in component reviews or conversations regarding equipment components...
 So exactly how do we define these terms in absolutes?I understand there are components that,in this day & age,outperform their asking price in orders of magnitude but even if they do,they will invariably be tagged as entry level,mid-fi or high end simply based on their asking price..
 Assuming entry level starts at say $500.00 per component,where does that end & mid-fi start,$2500.00 per component,$3500.00,$4500.00,$5000.00?
 How far does that pricing structure go until you consider a component to be "high end"?
What are YOUR PERSONAL thoughts on this subject?

freediver

Showing 1 response by pcrhkr

It’s all a matter of perspective.  Everyone’s ears are different and the way a system sounds for your taste is what matters. In this forum, you might run into a bit of snobbery because of cost. Cost may have much to do with quality components, but may not be the sound for everyone. 

I have heard a system of $5,000 run all over $70,000 of stereo equipment. Why?  Not sure, the speaker phasing might have been wrong. The components connected to each other may have had an Impedance mis- match?  The room also was not good. The 50k speakers may have not been broken in?  Who knows, but I heard it. 

I am very sure, if all components are matched that in most cases price can matter. But how good is good before the next 5 to 10 thousand dollars makes.... how much difference?  You can have a great sounding system for around 5k that will take much more dollars to beat. Again, it depends on your taste in music, sound, what you like to hear. Price might not matter so much. Its an opinion for the individual .