Things I hate about Hifi

[Kenneth Fernandes]

State of the art or not it depends on who's auditioning....
Nobody can ever put forward a complete system that will sound good to everyone in everyone's own listening room so why bother?
Or have I completely missed your point?

Various companies will decide their unique Soundmarks in selling the complete Hi-Fi system in a box to customers.
That way customers could be able to choose the Hi-Fi setups pertaining to that brand’s sound stage.

 

[RoA]

I can see an appeal to consumers who aren't particular about the type of sound they want. It's a quick and easy solution that gets you a "proper" looking system from one vendor. But there are so many pitfalls and concessions to a one-size-fits-all approach that a good proportion of the population would steer clear.

My recent example is the speaker audition I did last week. Four sets of speakers from four different manufacturers, all of which sounded different when auditioned through the same amp and the same streamer, using the same tracks in the same room. A one-box solution denies you appreciation of that nuance, and denies you the opportunity to build a system that sounds how you want.

Most normal folks just want an easy to use and non-intrusive way of listening to movies and a bit of music hence Sonos and similar exist. We are a niche and weirdos.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

@RTHerringbone It’s all about enjoying the music in the most exquisite way from the whole system, with the associated design, sound stage and features, from the same brand (all components included, pair of floor standing speakers, subwoofer, digital media centre amplifier, cables and connectors).
And not having to try different combinations of separate components, from different manufacturers, in making a good audio setup at home.

 

[Jasonovich]

Yeah absolutely, but absolutely no need to say "my modest setup" when it cost £10/20k...

Yes it is contrived because one is alluding to humbleness when it is not. I think better to say "My pride and joy", kind of implies it's costly but most grateful to have made the investment.

 

[Friesiansam]

Yes but... £10k for a cable? 🤣🤦‍♂️

That would be good value, compared to Nordost prices...

 

[RTHerringbone]

@RTHerringbone It’s all about enjoying the music in the most exquisite way from the whole system, with the associated design, sound stage and features, from the same brand (all components included, pair of floor standing speakers, subwoofer, digital media centre amplifier, cables and connectors).
And not having to try different combinations of separate components, from different manufacturers, in making a good audio setup at home.

I get that - it's a quick and easy way to get a system.

What I will stick by is the fact that by auditioning Hi-Fi, whether all from the same manufacturer or each component from different manufacturers, you give yourself a better chance of getting the exact sound you want. But that level of hands-on involvement doesn't appeal to everyone.

With these whole system solutions, how do you find out what they sound like?

 

[RoA]

I get that - it's a quick and easy way to get a system.

What I will stick by is the fact that by auditioning Hi-Fi, whether all from the same manufacturer or each component from different manufacturers, you give yourself a better chance of getting the exact sound you want. But that level of hands-on involvement doesn't appeal to everyone.

With these whole system solutions, how do you find out what they sound like?

Ignorance is bliss. Probably nowhere more than Hifi.

 

[Jasonovich]

That would be good value, compared to Nordost prices...

The mention of Nordost, reminds me of Harry Enfield. Apologies for being sucked into an 80s time vacuum.
You know, Mr. Loads of Money, throwing up in the air thick wads of the green paper. If you have Nordost make sure your peers catches full sight of it, Loads of cables!!!

Can't be showing off if they're fake, not telling people they're not, that's naughty 🙂

 

[matthewpianist]

Engaging too much with the whole 'scene' can cause restlessness and fear of missing out on that additional 10% (or even smaller amount) of performance. Most of it is a complete waste of money, and part of a marketing machine to keep the minority who have become engaged with high quality sound feeding the industry. I could have stopped at least 15 years ago when I had a Michell Tecnodec, CA 740C, CA740A, Squeezebox Touch and Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 2s, or 10 years ago when I had Rega RP3 and TT-PSU, Apollo-R, Brio-R and Dynaudio DM2/6. Either of those systems could have continued to serve my enjoyment of the music extremely well, yet I've allowed myself to get caught up in the whole thing over and over again. I could go even further back to the period when I had moved away from vinyl and just had a NAD C521BEE, C325BEE and Dali Lektor 2s - a perfectly rewarding way to connect with the music.

I've been through cables, lots of different speakers, stands, a multitude of amplifiers - all hopelessly trying to find some kind of nirvana. Is the current Naim Nait actually better than older versions, or is it simply different? Is a new Planar 3 strikingly more enjoyable than an older one? Does the performance gap between a Denon PMA600NE and PMA1700NE make much difference to daily listening? Do we underestimate that the system we've got to and are happy with could disappoint again in the event of moving home, because it's been so carefully matched to the space it's in?

In the end, it takes focus away from the music, and there has been times when it's actually stopped me from enjoying music I love, and that's what I most dislike about hi-fi.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

I get that - it's a quick and easy way to get a system.

What I will stick by is the fact that by auditioning Hi-Fi, whether all from the same manufacturer or each component from different manufacturers, you give yourself a better chance of getting the exact sound you want. But that level of hands-on involvement doesn't appeal to everyone.

With these whole system solutions, how do you find out what they sound like?

In auditioning separates from different manufacturers, you are still using someone else’s audio setup to make a judgement for yourself, in this case the auditioning store. And later invest in component upgrades from getting to know from various forums, videos, brand websites etc. So, Hi-Fi products aren’t really designed for auditioning stores only to be picked up customers who purchase and listen to them in their own personal Hi-Fi space at home.

It’s all about personal Hi-Fi listening at home. And only the same brand of the whole system can deliver the best product experience, right from unboxing, installing and music listening, to customers.

Auditioning the whole audio system from the same brand is at the next level in achieving the best customer shopping experience. Like brand exclusive stores in cities with dedicated listening rooms and store exclusive events, promotions and offers, all from the same manufacturer, of all the components, of the whole audio system.

 

[nopiano]

@nopiano Those aren’t Hi-Fi systems they are radio sound boxes.
Also, separates were for the turntable era.

I meant a complete Hi-Fi system that is sold together with a pair of floor standing loudspeakers, cables, connectors, digital music centre amplifier all packaged in one rigid futuristic cardboard box, like that of the Apple’s packaging’s equivalent of larger boxes, and with the full system tested and perfectly tuned in the factory to meet the highest quality standards of Hi-Fi listening at home. And a separate system sold with a sub woofer included for customers who prefer that.

I guess there’s not much of a demand for such things, though there are quite a few ‘steaming speakers’ like the KEF LS60 or LS50 Wireless, that only need an app and a smart phone to operate them.

For example…

KEF LS50 Wireless II review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 winner. An innovative and entertaining sequel

www.whathifi.com

 

[RTHerringbone]

It’s all about personal Hi-Fi listening at home. And only the same brand of the whole system can deliver the best product experience, right from unboxing, installing and music listening, to customers.

Auditioning the whole audio system from the same brand is at the next level in achieving the best customer shopping experience. Like brand exclusive stores in cities with dedicated listening rooms and store exclusive events, promotions and offers, all from the same manufacturer, of all the components, of the whole audio system.

This reads like you're talking about a shopping / product unboxing experience rather than a listening one.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

This reads like you're talking about a shopping / product unboxing experience rather than a listening one.

Yes, the grandest shopping experience, in store, to purchase the whole audio system from the same brand, including a pair of floor standing speakers, cables, bespoke connectors, digital media centre amplifier and a subwoofer, for the ultimate hi-end music listening sessions unboxed at home.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

I guess there’s not much of a demand for such things, though there are quite a few ‘steaming speakers’ like the KEF LS60 or LS50 Wireless, that only need an app and a smart phone to operate them.

For example…

KEF LS50 Wireless II review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 winner. An innovative and entertaining sequel

www.whathifi.com

Those are still radio music boxes in listening for hours together, like a background music playback at a hotel. Unlike hi-end audio setups at home that fully engulfs the listener in enjoying the ultimate audio experience for the whole track length, in full resolution, especially Hi-Res albums.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

And only the same brand of the whole system can deliver the best product experience, right from unboxing, installing and music listening, to customers.

You can't possibly substantiate that statement.

But this thread isn't about the fact that you would like everything to be 'one box', so back on topic please, as per forum rules.

 

[RoA]

Steve Huff moaning on his latest video how hard done by he is financially and how he had to (almost) sell his Nagra system.

It would have been a far more interesting vid if he actually HAD to sell it ...

 

[Friesiansam]

Steve Huff moaning on his latest video how hard done by he is financially and how he had to (almost) sell his Nagra system.

Oh dear, how sad.

Another YouTuber I’ll ignore.

 

[Jasonovich]

Steve Huff moaning on his latest video how hard done by he is financially and how he had to (almost) sell his Nagra system.

It would have been a far more interesting vid if he actually HAD to sell it ...

Steve is bit of a drama queen, though I do enjoy listening to his reviews. I love how he humanises the products, like it's living breathing entity but that's just his style.


Aaaagh I talked about love, this is hate!! Sorry.... 🤣 Maybe somebody can start a thread about the things we love about HiFi. Methinks this is going to be like the Liechtenstein book of heroes! 😩

 

[RTHerringbone]

Steve Huff moaning on his latest video how hard done by he is financially and how he had to (almost) sell his Nagra system.

It would have been a far more interesting vid if he actually HAD to sell it ...

He's the YouTuber I hate the most (and there's a list of them).

Totally disconnected from reality and so much of his content is deeply patronising. He drops costs of products into sentences as frequently as vowels in a word - it's pretty vulgar.

 

[manicm]

He's the YouTuber I hate the most (and there's a list of them).

Totally disconnected from reality and so much of his content is deeply patronising. He drops costs of products into sentences as frequently as vowels in a word - it's pretty vulgar.

I have no problem with his reviews. Disconnected from reality??? He's reviewed several WiiM products, the new Elac Debut, Eversolo and other budget products as well.

So if you see him only reviewing high-end products, well no-one is holding a gun to your head.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Disconnected from reality??? He's reviewed several WiiM products, the new Elac Debut, Eversolo and other budget products as well.

I think so, and I've seen a couple of his reviews of more affordable kit. I just don't like the way in which he presents comparisons to very expensive kit as a bit of a flex, which is what they seem like to me. I think he projects an image of a certain type of lifestyle and recent changes have shown that to perhaps be a bit embellished.

His new video also irritates me, but then I'm just a cynical person 🙂

Seems weird to talk about hating debt, buying a bunch of stuff on credit, bemoaning cost of living increases which lead you to then sell a bunch of very expensive kit because you can't afford to buy even more expensive kit. It just feels very contradictory to me and makes all the price-tag references in every video look a bit silly.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

You can't possibly substantiate that statement.

But this thread isn't about the fact that you would like everything to be 'one box', so back on topic please, as per forum rules.

Yes, the same brand could source parts from other manufacturing suppliers too, and in turn be a very large network spanning globally. The whole audio system will be provided to customers from the same brand.

 

[manicm]

I think so, and I've seen a couple of his reviews of more affordable kit. I just don't like the way in which he presents comparisons to very expensive kit as a bit of a flex, which is what they seem like to me. I think he projects an image of a certain type of lifestyle and recent changes have shown that to perhaps be a bit embellished.

His new video also irritates me, but then I'm just a cynical person 🙂

Seems weird to talk about hating debt, buying a bunch of stuff on credit, bemoaning cost of living increases which lead you to then sell a bunch of very expensive kit because you can't afford to buy even more expensive kit. It just feels very contradictory to me and makes all the price-tag references in every video look a bit silly.

I didn't see him project and kind of lifestyle in the 3 odd years I've been watching his videos. Like where are the gold chains and Ferraris? He states what the products cost, so should WHF also refrain?

WHF and all magazines are going to review products that many cannot afford. So I don't understand your comments at all.

His lifestyle is his lifestyle, as are ours.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Yes, the same brand could source parts from other manufacturing suppliers too, and in turn be a very large network spanning globally. The whole audio system will be provided to customers from the same brand.

You said that this is the only way that things could work - and unless you've heard every other combination (which you've haven't), you cannot say 'only' way. But back on topic please or rules will be applied.

 

[doifeellucky]

I have no problem with his reviews. Disconnected from reality??? He's reviewed several WiiM products, the new Elac Debut, Eversolo and other budget products as well.

So if you see him only reviewing high-end products, well no-one is holding a gun to your head.

You might re-evaluate that opinion if you saw his other channel. I think he spoke to the Queen in one.