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What defines mid-fi versus high-end?

I’m in my mid fifties and I recall 30 years back mid-fi to me fell into the NAD, Adcom, B&K…. For high-end I considered Mac, some of the Counterpoint offerings, Cary…. so forth.  I had another post going where I mentioned I acquired an Onkyo  home theater receiver that retailed new for $1,100.   Yet another agoner responded that it does not rate as mid-fi.   We all have our opinions of course.   So right or wrong here.
How do you define the parameters of high-end versus mid-if?  By money range, by brand…?

 

pdspecl
pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr
276 posts
 

There are different levels if HI-FI.  I guess it is difficult question. Everyone's ears are different, tastes are different. I would define HI Fi as being pure sounding music with a full bodied spectrum of sound and dynamics. Not a bose wave radio though they sound good.  After you reach a certain dollar level you have to pay out much more $$$$$$$ to reach the next level. You get to the point where for me I get very happy and do not need to upgrade for a few decades. Spending money on HI Fi is not a hobby for me. Enjoying a great sounding system is a joy in life and a blessing.

andy2
1,549 posts
 

If it is sold at the Best Buy, then it is probably mid fi.

music_is_life's avatar
music_is_life
188 posts
 

Yep sure. 

pmm
232 posts
 

"If it is sold at the Best Buy, then it is probably mid fi"

Correction: If it is sold at Best Buy, then it is probably low fi.

mozartfan
2,143 posts
 

Hi Fi = sensitivity 92db ++, 

Mid/lo Fi = sensitivity below 90 db. 

Which is why I only consider FR/Wide band as my speaker based on a  single  measurement which is sensitivity. 

FR at above 96db is wayyy too high for my preference. 92-94 is perfection

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