Low Fi / Mid Fi / High Fi ?


Guys I would like to know what the imaginary guidelines are! It can't be price.Since there's alot of great gear that doesn't make you mortgage the house!And this Hifi sound thing...some refer to hifi as bad...what gives?LowFi is easy for me ,just about any audio component out of a big chain store(mass market).In a blindfold test does anyone think they would be able to tell the difference between this midfi or hifi thing? Or do we use this as a tool to feel better about spending so much money on this stuff.Is there a mystical book that puts these components in catergories?Please fellow audiophiles fill me and others in on this.

Thanks in advance!
gmood1
I personally use the label hi-fi for anything designed to offer good musical performance. Thus, I'd use this label for both NAD C521i and the Linn CD 12. (This may be the first time these two CD players are mentioned in the same sentence!)

At the same time, I don't generally use the labels low-fi or mid-fi. I guess I try to ignore mass market electronics as much as I can.
Jc2000,that's my take on this stuff as well.I have tried listening to some 40k systems that were..Gulp...dry with no real life.So it's all about being musical to me.If I'am still sitting there after an hour, it's a winner in my book!Price is a factor up to a point.. after that I feel like I'am pissing in the wind!
Axiom M22ti and Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 are arguably high end for around $300 but without bass.
Cdc,
High-Fi standard was established in late-60's early 70's towards the level of distortions thruoghout full range.
Speakers or amps with no bass cannot fall onto that category FYI.