Question What makes speakers "Hi-Fi"?

[nuttyflave]

I almost bought a Sony XG500 during Prime Day on Amazon as it was 50% off (from $500 to $250), but I came across brands like Devialet, Morel, etc. so I reconsidered. Plus I don't really "party" so I have no need for a party speaker. I'm considering of getting a Morel Biggie bluetooth speaker, because it is said to be "Hi-Fi" plus it's not a "party speaker" and aesthetically it looks nice. Any of the Devialet speakers look great as well, and I've physically seen it being sold at the CDG Airport in Paris. Any other interesting brands that's considered Hi-Fi?

 

[Al ears]

I almost bought a Sony XG500 during Prime Day on Amazon as it was 50% off (from $500 to $250), but I came across brands like Devialet, Morel, etc. so I reconsidered. Plus I don't really "party" so I have no need for a party speaker. I'm considering of getting a Morel Biggie bluetooth speaker, because it is said to be "Hi-Fi" plus it's not a "party speaker" and aesthetically it looks nice. Any of the Devialet speakers look great as well, and I've physically seen it being sold at the CDG Airport in Paris. Any other interesting brands that's considered Hi-Fi?

I wouldn't consider any of these type of speakers to be "hifi" unless used as a pair.
That said I do use a Dali Katch in the kitchen

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

A speaker produces recognisable music - a hifi speaker will attempt (with varying degrees of success) to reproduce music with accuracy across the frequency range. This involves better engineering/R&D, and a reasonably-sized cabinet/drivers - without which the lower frequency end is to some extent absent. I get the impression that most of the stuff Amazon sells is more the former than the latter, but that's just my impression.

 

[Minkey1]

I wouldn't consider any of these type of speakers to be "hifi" unless used as a pair.
That said I do use a Dali Katch in the kitchen

Snap. My Katch is good for summer barbys etc too, especially with a spare Chromecast Audio I’ve got. Looks a bit weird, but works.

Also have a Sonos Roam, scores on built in wifi, and vertical option.

Both are mono, but on the speaker side none of my stuff is “real” hifi - I don’t have the space.

 

[matt49]

Also have a Sonos Roam, scores on built in wifi, and vertical option.

Arguably, the latest Sonos Five speaker qualifies as hi-fi, at least on any conventional definition of hi-fi.
It covers the full frequency range with reasonable accuracy: -3dB at 40Hz!
Its frequency response is fairly flat, or at least there's not much in it that can't easily be corrected.
It can be configured as a stereo pair.

There's a review of it on the Audio Science Review forum. (I'm not including a link because I forget what this forum's policy is re. links to other forums: the review can be found by searching at ASR.)

 

[Minkey1]

Arguably, the latest Sonos Five speaker qualifies as hi-fi, at least on any conventional definition of hi-fi.
It covers the full frequency range with reasonable accuracy: -3dB at 40Hz!
Its frequency response is fairly flat, or at least there's not much in it that can't easily be corrected.
It can be configured as a stereo pair.

There's a review of it on the Audio Science Review forum. (I'm not including a link because I forget what this forum's policy is re. links to other forums: the review can be found by searching at ASR.)

Both my Dali and Sonos can be run in stereo mode - if I buy another of each. But for their intended use, I don’t need to. Might be interesting to try a pairing, as my daughter’s husband has a Roam.