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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??? 

128x128dean_palmer
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,577 posts
 

Some of us stumble upon a "hi-fi" set of speakers through good old trial and error. No way in heck is anyone capable of hearing everything out there unless you’re a reviewer, work in sales, and visit many audio shows.

I’m one of the ones who stumbled upon a great speaker which I paired with a great integrated and now I’ve lost all motivation to look for something else. It will just click one day. Like I said, you’ll know it when you hear it.

Too many blame it on the room. A really good speaker will show itself despite the room. Fine tune things after if that’s your thing.

All the best,
Nonoise

riie
209 posts
 

They are hifi

kokakolia's avatar
kokakolia
198 posts
 

@audioman58 This is why I went with single driver speakers. For the record, I purchased Klipsch RP600M speakers prior. I hated them. Then I stumbled upon GR Research's teardown of the Klipsch RP600M. And yeah, the crossover couldn't be worse. The crossover actively scooped up the midrange with poor engineering design. So I went into the opposite direction towards single drivers without crossovers. And I'm convinced! For moderate/low volumes in a flat single driver speakers are perfect. Most of the music is in the midrange anyways...

Perhaps I am closer to "Hi-Fi" under $2k that way because I don't use an awful crossover? I am using EMS LB5 drivers FYI. 

jmalen123
143 posts
 

The Heritage line of speakers is a fantastic speaker to mod to your tastes. They can easily be customized for any situation and that makes them hi-fi to me.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,878 posts
 

If using a single driver, coaxial ,or even monitor Svs has some excellent powered subwoofers with apps to adjust the Bass from your seat, you can blend the low bass with starting at $499

i have found this to help many speakers to fill in that low midBass,lower Bass range.

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