First HiFi for a teenager?

[Fandango Andy]

This post explored Why Youngsters are not into Hi-FI. Some suggestions were that it is too expensive quoting the price of an entry level system. I suggested when you adjust for inflation, the cost of such a system was only a fraction more than it would have been at the turn of the century or back in the 90s, and this is after two years of high inflation. This got me thinking, how may teenagers had a system of separates back then? In the 80’s and 90s a midi system, or a micro system in the 2000’s would have been far more likely. The problem with these systems is the lack of upgrade options. For this reason, in some ways now is an exciting time for a first system. Here is a suggestion for an inexpensive first system with upgrade potential:


Amp: Fosi Audio ZA3 £139
https://www.richersounds.com/fosi-audio-za3-black/#tab-specifications

Source: WiiM Mini £89
https://www.richersounds.com/wiim-mini-black/

Loudspeakers: Wharfdale Diamond 9.0 £79
https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black/

Total: £228 for a basic system. To give this some prospective, that’s about £120 in 2000 money (or the price of 12 CD’s or 10 DVDs). As mentioned the exciting thing about this system is that it could grow with its owner with multiple upgrades and additions, here are a few ideas:

• The little Wharfdale’s lack bass, no problem the Fosi has a Sub out.
• The WiiM’s weakest link is the DAC, add an external DAC (if you ger one with XLR out it frees up the RCA input on the amp)
• You want to get into vinyl, add a turntable
• Getting into CD’s add a CD, or if you have a DVD or Blu-ray, use it as a transport and with a toslink or coaxial int your DAC.
• Finally, if you want to upgrade your amp, buy and second Fosi and use them as monoblocks.

How would you spend a similar budget? Or more importantly, does anyone know a teenager who is into music/HiFi, how does this compare to their setup?

 

[Messiah]

I have 3 kids (2 daughters - 19 & 16 & a son - 11). All 3 love their music but (despite the systems I have) could not care less about hi-fi. (They at least love the home cinema so they get to stay! lol).

I certainly started with a midi system in the 80's/90's and if any of them did show an interest in getting into hifi I think I would keep is simple and start them with a modern day (but far better sounding) equivalent - the Denon DM41DAB, most likely paired with Q Acoustics 3020i.

 

[nads]

Sorry, you first need to look at how they consume their music.

Then look at how they may want to listen to it.

HiFi is rarely anywhere near it.

Their phone and a few linked powered speakers will do most of their Music needs.

Trying to tie them to a system you will be on a losing run.

 

[daytona600]

£599 made in EU , Spares for 25years CD/Streaming system

https://www.avforums.com/reviews/pro-ject-cd-set-e-hifi-system-review.22335/

 

[Fandango Andy]

Sorry, you first need to look at how they consume their music.

Then look at how they may want to listen to it.

HiFi is rarely anywhere near it.

Their phone and a few linked powered speakers will do most of their Music needs.

Trying to tie them to a system you will be on a losing run.

Totally agree. If you click the link to the article/video Why youngsters are not into hifi this is explored there. I was more interested in demonstrating it isn't price.

 

[Fandango Andy]

£599 made in EU , Spares for 25years CD/Streaming system

https://www.avforums.com/reviews/pro-ject-cd-set-e-hifi-system-review.22335/

View attachment 8262

Looks good, but over two and a half times more expensive than my suggestion.

 

[Cricketbat70]

My first system in 1989 -I was 19 - was an Aiwa midi system and to be fair it sounded good. Two years later a work colleague (who once worked in hifi repairs but left because he couldn't stand the paperwork) got me into separates, he actually bought my Aiwa off me hooked it up to some better speakers and replaced the basic turntable with a Thorens.
My first separates system consisted of a Denon PMA 250 MkII £150, A second hand Dual CS 505 from my work colleagues brother £80. B&W Vision DS2 speakers £180 from RS and Denon and Aiwa tape decks about £150 each. A Teac CDP from RS about £100. Built up over a year I couldn't afford it all at once £810.
As I've mentioned on other threads the PMA 250 now 34 years old I still use at work driving a pair of TDL bookshelf speakers, my son got from Facebook marketplace.
The Dual is in need of repair but I have Rega Planer 3 of the same era now.
The two tape decks are long gone.
The B&W speakers live under my son's bed and are occasionally dragged out for parties.

 

[Cricketbat70]

My first separates system built up over a year I couldn't afford it all at once £810.

That's 1 amp, turntable, CDP, 2 tape decks and speakers for £810
Just the basic system of amp, turntable and speakers in 1991, £410 that's £925 in today's money. I definitely couldn't afford that now. If I was starting afresh it would have to be something like a Denon DM41 as @Messiah said.

 

[RoA]

Or more importantly, does anyone know a teenager who is into music/HiFi

Yes/Nope

 

[Cricketbat70]

Yes/Nope

I know of one 18 year old who is into music but not sure about hifi and how she listens to music.
Her dad was a nightclub DJ in Hong Kong back in the 80's . He did stints all over the world for the firm he worked for but Hong Kong was his base. I suppose she's had no choice but to be into music, although no longer a DJ, her dad is still into his music and he was taking her to concerts when she was barely out of nappies 🤣

 

[matthewpianist]

I'd keep it as simple as possible and, as I said in the other thread with reference to my stepson, getting too deep into hi-fi is something I have reservations about unless he shows more interest himself. I think something young people have achieved better than us, helped no doubt by the technology, is that they are more focused on the music than the kit. There's a limit to how much any of us really needs to maximise our relationship with the music, and it's mostly way below getting into exotic ideals.

 

[RoA]

give kids a choice between a new ipad, a playstation and a Hifi system and see what the outcome is

 

[Al ears]

Can mods correct the thread title?
I am still wondering what a fist hifi is...

 

[twinkletoes]

This post explored Why Youngsters are not into Hi-FI. Some suggestions were that it is too expensive quoting the price of an entry level system. I suggested when you adjust for inflation, the cost of such a system was only a fraction more than it would have been at the turn of the century or back in the 90s, and this is after two years of high inflation. This got me thinking, how may teenagers had a system of separates back then? In the 80’s and 90s a midi system, or a micro system in the 2000’s would have been far more likely. The problem with these systems is the lack of upgrade options. For this reason, in some ways now is an exciting time for a first system. Here is a suggestion for an inexpensive first system with upgrade potential:


Amp: Fosi Audio ZA3 £139
https://www.richersounds.com/fosi-audio-za3-black/#tab-specifications

Source: WiiM Mini £89
https://www.richersounds.com/wiim-mini-black/

Loudspeakers: Wharfdale Diamond 9.0 £79
https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black/

Total: £228 for a basic system. To give this some prospective, that’s about £120 in 2000 money (or the price of 12 CD’s or 10 DVDs). As mentioned the exciting thing about this system is that it could grow with its owner with multiple upgrades and additions, here are a few ideas:

• The little Wharfdale’s lack bass, no problem the Fosi has a Sub out.
• The WiiM’s weakest link is the DAC, add an external DAC (if you ger one with XLR out it frees up the RCA input on the amp)
• You want to get into vinyl, add a turntable
• Getting into CD’s add a CD, or if you have a DVD or Blu-ray, use it as a transport and with a toslink or coaxial int your DAC.
• Finally, if you want to upgrade your amp, buy and second Fosi and use them as monoblocks.

How would you spend a similar budget? Or more importantly, does anyone know a teenager who is into music/HiFi, how does this compare to their setup?

I think given that most wont have a clue what there looking at (including parents) , though cheap, its to complicated and they cant interact the way they would want to with it

This is why midi systems took off, plug and play and away we went with an enjoyable sound that didnt need anything else. We weren’t looking for upgrade paths, Kids to day they want to find a track and beam it to a Bluetooth speaker or other consume the media and move on.

It would be a singular sonos era 100 , air pods (most likely) or maybe some Sony bluetooth cans especially if there still living at home. Some what “affordable"xmas gifts

That being said as a savvy hifi dad for 250quid id be going on a second hand shopping spree.

Misson 700s (90s) versions 50-70 quid

Rotel Ra-960bx 65 quid or maybe an AVR! Pioneer VSX 924 30 quid or if you really wanted to splurge an arcam avr 300 for 100 quid

Chromecast audio 45 quid

That would be what id buy.

Hope that makes sense im on the train trying not to miss my stop.

 

[manicm]

This post explored Why Youngsters are not into Hi-FI. Some suggestions were that it is too expensive quoting the price of an entry level system. I suggested when you adjust for inflation, the cost of such a system was only a fraction more than it would have been at the turn of the century or back in the 90s, and this is after two years of high inflation. This got me thinking, how may teenagers had a system of separates back then? In the 80’s and 90s a midi system, or a micro system in the 2000’s would have been far more likely. The problem with these systems is the lack of upgrade options. For this reason, in some ways now is an exciting time for a first system. Here is a suggestion for an inexpensive first system with upgrade potential:


Amp: Fosi Audio ZA3 £139
https://www.richersounds.com/fosi-audio-za3-black/#tab-specifications

Source: WiiM Mini £89
https://www.richersounds.com/wiim-mini-black/

Loudspeakers: Wharfdale Diamond 9.0 £79
https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black/

Total: £228 for a basic system. To give this some prospective, that’s about £120 in 2000 money (or the price of 12 CD’s or 10 DVDs). As mentioned the exciting thing about this system is that it could grow with its owner with multiple upgrades and additions, here are a few ideas:

• The little Wharfdale’s lack bass, no problem the Fosi has a Sub out.
• The WiiM’s weakest link is the DAC, add an external DAC (if you ger one with XLR out it frees up the RCA input on the amp)
• You want to get into vinyl, add a turntable
• Getting into CD’s add a CD, or if you have a DVD or Blu-ray, use it as a transport and with a toslink or coaxial int your DAC.
• Finally, if you want to upgrade your amp, buy and second Fosi and use them as monoblocks.

How would you spend a similar budget? Or more importantly, does anyone know a teenager who is into music/HiFi, how does this compare to their setup?

I would ditch the

This post explored Why Youngsters are not into Hi-FI. Some suggestions were that it is too expensive quoting the price of an entry level system. I suggested when you adjust for inflation, the cost of such a system was only a fraction more than it would have been at the turn of the century or back in the 90s, and this is after two years of high inflation. This got me thinking, how may teenagers had a system of separates back then? In the 80’s and 90s a midi system, or a micro system in the 2000’s would have been far more likely. The problem with these systems is the lack of upgrade options. For this reason, in some ways now is an exciting time for a first system. Here is a suggestion for an inexpensive first system with upgrade potential:


Amp: Fosi Audio ZA3 £139
https://www.richersounds.com/fosi-audio-za3-black/#tab-specifications

Source: WiiM Mini £89
https://www.richersounds.com/wiim-mini-black/

Loudspeakers: Wharfdale Diamond 9.0 £79
https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black/

Total: £228 for a basic system. To give this some prospective, that’s about £120 in 2000 money (or the price of 12 CD’s or 10 DVDs). As mentioned the exciting thing about this system is that it could grow with its owner with multiple upgrades and additions, here are a few ideas:

• The little Wharfdale’s lack bass, no problem the Fosi has a Sub out.
• The WiiM’s weakest link is the DAC, add an external DAC (if you ger one with XLR out it frees up the RCA input on the amp)
• You want to get into vinyl, add a turntable
• Getting into CD’s add a CD, or if you have a DVD or Blu-ray, use it as a transport and with a toslink or coaxial int your DAC.
• Finally, if you want to upgrade your amp, buy and second Fosi and use them as monoblocks.

How would you spend a similar budget? Or more importantly, does anyone know a teenager who is into music/HiFi, how does this compare to their setup?

A teenager needs convenience, and as you said the WiiM Mini's weak link is the internal DAC. But for a teenager/budget system you also don't want an external DAC or more boxes. Keep it simple, keep it neat.

So my solution would be to ditch the Fosi ZA3 for a similar amp which includes digital inputs i.e. an internal DAC, which in 99% of cases be better than using the WiiM Mini's.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Can mods correct the thread title?
I am still wondering what a fist hifi is...

Sorry for my typing error, and thanks for spotting it. Corrected now! 🙈

 

[Cricketbat70]

Sorry for my typing error, and thanks for spotting it. Corrected now! 🙈

🤣

 

[Jasonovich]

Kids are smart, purchasing HiFi are unnecessary, if dads gear has Spotify or Bluetooth, well that's all they need!

 

[Al ears]

Kids are smart, purchasing HiFi are unnecessary, if dads gear has Spotify or Bluetooth, well that's all they need!

That and dad's permission to use said hifi....

 

[Cricketbat70]

That and dad's permission to use said hifi....

Mine have been using my hifi for years, Spotify through CCA. Played their own CD's before I got the CCA's. Can't really call them kids anymore, eldest 30 twins 26. Oh well the house is big enough and with rents and mortgages as they are...but that's another story.

 

[Al ears]

Mine have been using my hifi for years, Spotify through CCA. Played their own CD's before I got the CCA's. Can't really call them kids anymore, eldest 30 twins 26. Oh well the house is big enough and with rents and mortgages as they are...but that's another story.

Mine not interested even with my permission. Gave him a decent Bluetooth speaker and he's overjoyed......ho hum!

 

[matt49]

This post explored Why Youngsters are not into Hi-FI. Some suggestions were that it is too expensive quoting the price of an entry level system. I suggested when you adjust for inflation, the cost of such a system was only a fraction more than it would have been at the turn of the century or back in the 90s, and this is after two years of high inflation. This got me thinking, how may teenagers had a system of separates back then? In the 80’s and 90s a midi system, or a micro system in the 2000’s would have been far more likely. The problem with these systems is the lack of upgrade options. For this reason, in some ways now is an exciting time for a first system. Here is a suggestion for an inexpensive first system with upgrade potential:


Amp: Fosi Audio ZA3 £139
https://www.richersounds.com/fosi-audio-za3-black/#tab-specifications

Source: WiiM Mini £89
https://www.richersounds.com/wiim-mini-black/

Loudspeakers: Wharfdale Diamond 9.0 £79
https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black/

Total: £228 for a basic system. To give this some prospective, that’s about £120 in 2000 money (or the price of 12 CD’s or 10 DVDs). As mentioned the exciting thing about this system is that it could grow with its owner with multiple upgrades and additions, here are a few ideas:

• The little Wharfdale’s lack bass, no problem the Fosi has a Sub out.
• The WiiM’s weakest link is the DAC, add an external DAC (if you ger one with XLR out it frees up the RCA input on the amp)
• You want to get into vinyl, add a turntable
• Getting into CD’s add a CD, or if you have a DVD or Blu-ray, use it as a transport and with a toslink or coaxial int your DAC.
• Finally, if you want to upgrade your amp, buy and second Fosi and use them as monoblocks.

How would you spend a similar budget? Or more importantly, does anyone know a teenager who is into music/HiFi, how does this compare to their setup?

Coincidentally my first system, given to me by my dad in 1978 when I was 14, cost around £230.
Pioneer PL-512
NAD 3020
AR18s
The amp and speakers are still going strong: my younger daughter has them, along with a new Projekt TT.
Anyway I agree with you that price isn’t really the obstacle.
Your entry system is a good one. My upgrade route would be to replace the Wharfedales with some bigger main speakers, preferably second hand. Maybe even the old Wharfedale Linton 2.

 

[Ferdy Bossy]

The cheapest way, with the best sound, choose active speakers. Capable to receive Bluetooth and Airplay2. Your smartphone Android / IOS apps play the music you'll like to hear.

 

[Cricketbat70]

Mine not interested even with my permission. Gave him a decent Bluetooth speaker and he's overjoyed......ho hum!

I used my mum's partners hifi from the age of 11. An old receiver with built in turntable don't remember the make an an old Akai top loading tape deck with VU meters not recording level bars and some floor standing Castle speakers. I even had permission to use ot when he wasn't around Barry and my mum would go off to work in the morning and I'd listen to the hifi before going to school. He upgraded to a modern all Akai system around 1984 and I used that.
So when my kids came along I had no worries about letting them use my AV set up.