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Mid Fi to Hi Fi threshold

Natasha Bell said:
Not just with audio equipment. I get that at times when people see all my shoes. :oops: o_O
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I built a lot of floor-to-ceiling bookcases in my mostly Victorian house (I use books for work and I get a lot for free). But, yes, it’s a growing, ongoing problem (just ask my wife). Anyway, a few years ago I noticed that my wood floors were bowing slightly at one end of my listening room, a wall that supports a fireplace, bookshelves on two floors, and my Klipschorns).

I had a contractor come over. He thought that maybe the speakers, old fireplace, and bookshelves, loaded with big art books and vinyl records, were putting too much strain on the old jack pine floors. So, he suggested we put wall-to-wall support beams in our basement to relieve the stress. ($5K.)

Anyway, I’m at a party a couple years later and some stranger asks where I live. So I tell him. And he says, “I heard there was some idiot over there near you who has enormous heavy speakers and a huge library in his house. The stuff was so heavy they had to put support beams in his basement. Can you believe it?” I said, “I know. And I can. I’m that ‘idiot’.”
 
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THEWEREWOLF said:
On a personal level what I consider Hi Fi is easy to understand. Low fi is almost any sound system that is in an "All In One Format." If your AM, FM radio, Turntable, CD player, 8 track, cassette deck and speakers are all integrated into the same box that's low fi. Low fi is not about maintaining the integrity and fidelity of the sound as the artist had meant it to be heard. Low Fi is all about providing convenience to the listener who has low to no audiophile worthy requirements for their listening pleasure.

For me Hi Fi is anyone who invests the most money they can afford into getting the best quality receivers, integrated amplifiers or true separates possible. If someone is on the quest of creating the best quality sound system that they can afford then for that individual they have achieved the realm of hi fi in their situation. Thus a person with millions to spend on gear will by definition achieve a greater hi fi experience than a poor man like me with no more than 4 thousand 2025 US Dollars to spend or a piece of vintage audio gear at any given outing.

So my definition of what constitutes hi fi depends on what I can afford to spend on the systems and gear I invest in. For me hi fi is not about the price tag it is about the intent and effort of the audiophile in question. Certainly more expensive gear changes the sound experience but buying the best gear one can afford demonstrates audiophile intent or apirations. In my world "True Audiophiles" intentionally invest all efforts and funds they can afford to create the most sophisticated, accurate, curated and authentic sound system possible within their respective means. In my humble opinion all the resulting systems born of audiophile intent are then by definition unique variations of "Hi Fi Systems" curated to appeal to differing but equally discerning tastes.

The simple way of saying everything I shared above is the following. When it comes to what constitutes audiophile quality "Hi Fi" systems I don't believe in any form of gate keeping or gear \ spec based elitism. I think this hobby is a huge tent where all who aspire to unique and awesome audio experiences has their place. I revel in everyone's shared audiophile journey on Audio Karma. I enjoy posts by people whose collections drawf mine in every way. I love seeing how the other half lives gear wise. I stand in awe of someone who can afford and enjoy the differences in quality made by $25,000 separates and $30,000 speakers. I look at someone's $30,000 speakers and instantly become my teenaged self saying WOW in awe and wonder. Enjoying someones audio gear quality at levels I can never hope to achieve does not make me love my Pioneer SX-1980 or Yamaha CR 3020 any less. I love my place on Audio Krama's audiophile gear spectrum and share here from that place of joy in my heart.

I love it when someone shares their Reel to Reel Beast with 10 inch reels and all the bells and whistles. Hi Fi to me personally is all about intent and the joy of sharing your hi fi world with us no matter what gear you have. If it's the best you can do and your gear brings you joy share it here. I for one feel privleged to see it and enjoy it with you. Of course I'm a dumb Old Gray Werewolf but I'M LOVING IT!
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I like this. Very user-friendly definition.
 
Bushikan said:
The ironic thing about buying audio equipment primarily to impress people—a fool’s errand—is that:

1). Very few people will probably ever sit down in your listening room and really take in and appreciate the sound.

2). Even if they like the way it sounds, they won’t probably recognize any of the brand names on your rack.

3). If your guests/friends actually do show interest and ask questions, and you reveal what each box and wire does and how much each component cost, they will probably end up—rather than being impressed—thinking that you are a little obsessive and weird, if not actually nuts, and, therefore, will come away thinking somewhat less—not more of you.
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This!
 
Bushikan said:
The ironic thing about buying audio equipment primarily to impress people—a fool’s errand—is that:

1). Very few people will probably ever sit down in your listening room and really take in and appreciate the sound.

2). Even if they like the way it sounds, they won’t probably recognize any of the brand names on your rack.

3). If your guests/friends actually do show interest and ask questions, and you reveal what each box and wire does and how much each component cost, they will probably end up—rather than being impressed—thinking that you are a little obsessive and weird, if not actually nuts, and, therefore, will come away thinking somewhat less—not more of you.
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Oh I'm autistic so all my friends have already factored in that I am an odd duck. Also when one is autistic one develops friendships with people of a like mindset. The fact that typical humans find me weird is hardly a new phenomenon. The one glaring flaw in your entire analysis is it assumes I give a damn what others go away thinking of me. I don't drag people into my home at gunpoint forcing them to sit through demonstrations of my vintage audio gear. For those that are interested I share all about my collection. For those who are NOT interested in my collection we interact socially within the parameters of my understanding of humans and their desires.

My friends are aware of what they are getting as part of our friendship. I think people abusing drugs is weird. I think compulsive gambling is weird. I think tongue kissing is weird and nasty to boot. We all have things we think are weird that others enjoy. I call that the normal variability among those in the human species. I'd rather be nuts for collecting items I love than to suffer any of the compulsions I just listed. My guests share their time with me because they want to. If that changes for any reason I simply respect their choice and move on with enjoying my life. I don't need the validation of others to live my life to the fullest based on my internal guidance. I'm self validating sadly not many of us are.
 
THEWEREWOLF said:
The one glaring flaw in your entire analysis is it assumes I give a damn what others go away thinking of me.
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@THEWEREWOLF, My analysis was not at all about or directed at you—either personally or indirectly—but, more generally, about those who “buy audio equipment primarily to impress people.”

As one person I knew observed: “Why would you spend so much money on a stereo? It’s not like you can take your expensive stereo out and show it off—drive it around. Why not buy a Harley?”

Ah-hoo!

Cheers—And Party on!—in London or elsewhere!
 
Bushikan said:
The ironic thing about buying audio equipment primarily to impress people—a fool’s errand—is that:

1). Very few people will probably ever sit down in your listening room and really take in and appreciate the sound.

2). Even if they like the way it sounds, they won’t probably recognize any of the brand names on your rack.

3). If your guests/friends actually do show interest and ask questions, and you reveal what each box and wire does and how much each component cost, they will probably end up—rather than being impressed—thinking that you are a little obsessive and weird, if not actually nuts, and, therefore, will come away thinking somewhat less—not more of you.
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This is true in much of life. Rolex watches Mercedes Benz cars,Pappy VanWinkel bourbon, Coach Luggage. Do people think that’s the only item capable of keeping time or getting from point A to point B or carrying your clothes from one place to another.?
Of course not. They’re buying the label. Admittance to an exclusive club that the Average Joe like me cannot join. That said if I hit the proverbial lotto that I do not play…You bet I will wear a Rolex drive a BMW and place a few orders with Conrad Jonson and Mark Levinson or whoever’s the hotness of the moment I don’t dislike people who appreciate their finer things. Heck I’m happy for anyone who has achieved that success. I just don’t buy the idea that’s anything less is inferior and not worth having.
 
JohnnieO said:
This is true in much of life. Rolex watches Mercedes Benz cars,Pappy VanWinkel bourbon, Coach Luggage. Do people think that’s the only item capable of keeping time or getting from point A to point B or carrying your clothes from one place to another.?
Of course not. They’re buying the label. Admittance to an exclusive club that the Average Joe like me cannot join. That said if I hit the proverbial lotto that I do not play…You bet I will wear a Rolex drive a BMW and place a few orders with Conrad Jonson and Mark Levinson or whoever’s the hotness of the moment I don’t dislike people who appreciate their finer things. Heck I’m happy for anyone who has achieved that success. I just don’t buy the idea that’s anything less is inferior and not worth having.
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Nicely said. :thumbsup:
 
But you often do get what you pay for, that is a fact, not always true but still a fact.

i also understand there are the "everything that cost more is a scam" types out there, as seen in this thread.
 
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