I always thought it a slang term to include brands like Rotel, NAD, Cambridge, etc. as well as entry-level lines from larger manufacturers. Like what is (very generally) found on audioadvisor. I have heard the term used in a conceited manner but find the idea of judging others’ equipment to be weird and more about consumerism than audio.
HiFi vs MidFi
I’m a relative noob to the audiophile scene, having just invested in an integrated amp and upscale (for me) speakers. From time to time, I hear the term “MidFi” for some components. Is there an objective or just largely accepted definition for this term? I’d be curious to hear feedback on what constitutes HiFi vs. MidFi across various components.
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freediver936 posts10-15-2021 8:57pmMidFi is a derogatory term used by those with so called golden ears & deep pockets who refuse to admit that the performance gap between overpriced gear & affordable gear is almost non existent these days & that the law of diminishing returns starts at about $1000.00..They will swear to their almighty guru huckster that $10,000.00 vinyl rigs with $1000.00 vacuum cleaning machines sounds more organic & real than a $1500.00 digital rig despite SNAP CRACKLE POP still clearly dominating the sound..The term should die a horrible death along with the more $ = better sound mentality... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WOW thats some straight shooting. have to 100% agree. Although I like Jadis as a preferenc, I could use any Dynaco ST70, and get near same sound. I bought all Jadis used and found out high priced components olike ARC, and all others are hyped. My digital system captures almost same sonics as a $100K vinyl system. Speakers is where its all at. And again, the more you spend does not equate into superior sound. This science is not about money. Its how a speaker actually sounds, regardless if the speaker comes from a popular famous lab. The one component that is hyped more than all others combined are the speaker component. I find most speakers midfi >> low fi >>>complete total fatigue. |
Take the world finest amps/digital (Jadis' $$$$$$$$$ DACs/Drives) /Phonos /linestage/preamps. Hook these components to any midfi speaker,,take your pick...and what ya got? Midfi sound. Now take a super HIFI (like I have) speaker and hook it up to a Sony system, cd player/receiver, and ya got hifi. I've tested this out folks. Not saying nuances in the all jadis system are not there,, indeed there are stunning nuances. but the real hifidelity is inside the speakers. No 2 speakers sound alike, All tube amps, pretty much sound the same to my ears. |
but the real hifidelity is inside the speakers.And the acoustic control of a room count for nothing? All tube amp sound the same? Ridiculous... an Atmasphere tube amplifier, a garage 1217 tube amplifier and a Berning ZOTL are the same for your ears? No gear sound the same at all.... Be it speakers, dac, amplifiers... Acoustic treatment and control designed for a specific speakers/system are the way to hifi....Not the gear in itself by itself alone....Electrical and mechanical controls are also mandatory... Pick the speaker you want and associate it with the right gear and put it in a controlled room designed specifically for it and you will have Hi-FI... Obsession with speakers or any type of gear is only that, obsession... This is right if you are an audio engineer this is called passion.... But to reach hi-fi we must know elementary acoustic and elementary mechanical and electrical facts for a rightful embeddings of the gear /system we choose... There is no best amplifier, or best dac or best speakers.... Only different needs and trade-off.... |
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