??? 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

I agree with the people who stated that high end is not a matter of money. My definition of high end is the playback of recorded music which approaches a live performance.  I believe that my system does so:  Magnepan 3.7i, REL subwoofer, Conrad Johnson amp and pre-amp, Technics S1200 turntable and Marantz SACD player.  

Y'all are all going about this the wrong way.  Cost is no longer an objective measure of entry level or Low-Fi, Mid-Fi, true Hi-Fi or high end due to the ability to buy things at great discounts.  Therefore:

Entry Level -- sounds decent at normal volumes, some loss of highs and lows at loud volume, includes integrated components that are very inexpensive.  Movies and pop music sounds good.

Mid-Fi, investor/researcher-type audio hobbyist -- components and speakers that play loudly and cleanly to a point where you can hear any music, free of distortion, in any room of your home... while vacuuming.

Pinnacle Hi-Fi -- similar to previous, can hear any music clearly, cleanly, free of distortion with the windows up and you're mowing your yard with a Honda push mower 🙂

 

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2832731

Agree with Mahgister.  Chasing hifi "highs" is logarithmic similar to power required for drag racing or top speed, e.g., the Veyron achieved 253mph with 987hp whereas the Super Sport achieved 267 with 1183hp.