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??? 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
1971gto455ho's avatar
1971gto455ho
550 posts
 

When there’s dust in your wallet, an your divorced

Cheers 

mylogic
493 posts
 

An interesting question with no answer. @gruvjet may have nailed it with big bucks v wise choice.

@mapman “Cost and sound… two different things”. Spot on Man…..

 

My take….

 

Hi-end does not have a verifiable point or origin for its existence.

Do not let yourself think your system is high-end simply because of a perceived value.

It is a figment of the imagination to put a “value” on it. If you do, you may be just fooling yourself.

 

The only evaluation that makes any sense is… does it definitely sound better than low-end?

AGAIN A QUESTION.. Who would claim to know where exactly low-end fades into high-end?

Getting into the mid-end debate certainly then clouds the water even more….

 

Just labelling a piece of equipment as high-end is no guarantee it is. Be very sceptical if this term is offered up by a manufacturer, retailer or Mr. Nextdoor selling his gear.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,980 posts
 

Take solace in the fact that it’s a totally subjective determination so if you think it is then it is and vice versa. 

Of course, then there is always what the other guy listening thinks but who cares about what other people think?   Trust your ears, right?

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,281 posts
 

It's simple.

If a system costs less than $35,607 it is lo-fi.

If a system costs more than $35,607 it is hi-fi.

If a system costs exactly $35,607 (including tax) it is mid-fi.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,235 posts
 

If you look at the top most expensive systems on here or other "extreme" audiophile hang-outs (god help you if it’s WBF), you’ll quickly find that even $5K per component is considered very cheap. 

"Performance" is a different matter and a whole ’nother can of worms. But I’d say that "normal high end" these days - loosely defined as some unquantifiable aggregate of: performance, build quality, aesthetic, esoteric factor, desirability, price, and brand cache - is going to start at ~25K per component and 50K for speakers. That’s not even "ultra" high-end, not even close. It gets more expensive each year; kind of nuts at this point. Definitely not sustainable.

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