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.

 

[nuttyflave]

So then why would the Morel Biggie be advertised as "Hi-Fi"?

Also, regarding running a pair of these speakers for stereo mode, couldn't they all be run as a pair?

 

[Rodolfo]

Taking off from your list of Bluetooth candidates, and not trying to define HiFi or categorizing any Bluetooth device as such, I suggest or share the following option:

I first heard my nephew-in-law's Bose Revolve II speaker at his home and was surprised how good it sounded. He has a set of KEF speakers in his listening room, but also likes to play/project music stored on his phone throughout and around his house. I stayed there a couple of weeks and he lent it to me to use it to listen to my own digital files. Later, when I was looking for a portable bluetooth speaker to use as he used it --to take from room to room, outdoors, and to travel with, I got one of my own. It gives me a very nice satisfying sound regardless of what I play through it, mostly with other portable devices, namely, one of two DAPs, or a phone. It connects automatically and immediately, it projects a very nice, satisfying "surround" sound of sorts, it get plenty loud, has good battery life, it has a solid aluminum build that looks as clean as it sounds, if not quite elegant, and a second unit can be set up through an app to reproduce stereo sound. I don't expect any more from a reasonably-priced Bluetooth speaker. This was the first Bose speaker I ever even tried: It may work for you as well.

It matters not to me whether it is "hi-fi" or any category, I'm satisfied that it reproduces FLAC digital file sounds nicely, impressively-enough to me and others, for selected important-to-me applications.

Take your time shopping, trial candidates if you can, and enjoy your eventual selection and your music especially.

 

[Rodolfo]

So then why would the Morel Biggie be advertised as "Hi-Fi"?

Also, regarding running a pair of these speakers for stereo mode, couldn't they all be run as a pair?

It may not matter to you, but stereo means that on the opening track of Kind of Blue, Miles is front and center, or on both speakers, then Cannonball's alto will come in from the left speaker, and Trane's soprano follows from the right one. 😉

 

[nopiano]

So then why would the Morel Biggie be advertised as "Hi-Fi"?

Also, regarding running a pair of these speakers for stereo mode, couldn't they all be run as a pair?

Hifi is a widely misused badge, which has no defined or widely accepted meaning. Decades ago there was a European DIN standard for Hifi, but that’s woefully out of date. So, essentially it’s meaningless, like adding HD to headphones, implying they are somehow better.

To me, Hifi speakers are those sold to be connected as a stereo pair to an amplifier and a source like a turntable, CD player, FM tuner or Streamer, or perhaps to an ‘all in one’ device with amp and streamer combined. That broadly excludes anything with Bluetooth or portability. These days it’s more complicated with so called ‘wireless’ systems like KEF’s brilliant wireless LS series speakers.

Devices like the Morel can be absolutely fine for enjoyable listening. I enjoy Amazon Echo speakers because I often catch items I’d otherwise miss, and they're great for any room - but Hifi they aren’t.

 

[nuttyflave]

So the Morel Biggie is actually "mono"? Is there not a Bluetooth speaker sold as a one piece "stereo" that would also be considered and or "marketed" as "hi-fi"?

I do have the Klipsch Groove Bluetooth speaker and I'm curious if I'd be able to tell the difference in sound between this and the "Hi-Fi" Morel Biggie.

 

[DiggyGun]

So then why would the Morel Biggie be advertised as "Hi-Fi"?

Simple basic advertising to make it more appealing.

DG…

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

So the Morel Biggie is actually "mono"? Is there not a Bluetooth speaker sold as a one piece "stereo" that would also be considered and or "marketed" as "hi-fi"?

The point isn't that both channels come through a single speaker - it's that stereo requires two speakers separated by a reasonable distance. You can't get a stereo image from one unit.

The term 'hifi' in sales means about as much as 'premium'.

 

[Amormusic]

OP, where is this to be used? If for in the house, I'd also add a Naim Muso QB to your list. They are small form factor, like the Biggie, but actually very good for it's size and cost.

I have one in my kitchen.

 

[Al ears]

The point isn't that both channels come through a single speaker - it's that stereo requires two speakers separated by a reasonable distance. You can't get a stereo image from one unit.

The term 'hifi' in sales means about as much as 'premium'.

Or "audiophile" ......

 

[nuttyflave]

OP, where is this to be used? If for in the house, I'd also add a Naim Muso QB to your list. They are small form factor, like the Biggie, but actually very good for it's size and cost.

I have one in my kitchen.

Just for the home. Thanks for the suggestion. I know it's 3x the cost of the Morel Biggie.

 

[nuttyflave]

The point isn't that both channels come through a single speaker - it's that stereo requires two speakers separated by a reasonable distance. You can't get a stereo image from one unit.

The term 'hifi' in sales means about as much as 'premium'.

The stereo speakers that are made for the XM satellite radio are surprisingly good. I get what you're saying.

 

[Jasonovich]

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?

In the realm of hifi is a certain amount of snobbery.
If these speakers give you enjoyment then that's what really matters.

 

[idc]

I think studio speakers, those used to make the original recordings, are the most hifi of speakers, as they reproduce the music as the artists wanted the music to sound.

 

[Al ears]

I think studio speakers, those used to make the original recordings, are the most hifi of speakers, as they reproduce the music as the artists wanted the music to sound.

whilst they obviously work very well in a studio setting many are absolutely rubbish in a home environment.

 

[nuttyflave]

whilst they obviously work very well in a studio setting many are absolutely rubbish in a home environment.

I found them to be very good, at least the Tannoy Reveal that I've tried. They're heavy though. The one I have I think is the Tannoy Reveal 402 (4" speakers).

 

[nuttyflave]

In the realm of hifi is a certain amount of snobbery.
If these speakers give you enjoyment then that's what really matters.

I do enjoy listening to music on mono speakers like the Klipsch Groove. Speaking of mono speakers, Amazon is selling the Morel Biggie at a $200 discount if buying a pair, so it's $399 for a pair.

 

[Noddy]

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.

Exactly. A large enough cabinet, made sufficiently well that resonances are minimised, and decent enough speakers and crossover electronics that reproduce the music with accuracy over the frequency range. That said, many high end brands such as B&W fail at that last requirement, as they are noticeably voiced. Cheap speakers will sound mushy in some frequencies, lacking clarity, and even having resonances such as buzzing when high notes are played.

 

[ultraminiature]

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. ...Any other interesting brands that's considered Hi-Fi?

For hi-fi most would consider a stereo set up with some separation of left and right channels to your choice, a frequency range of 20 - 20kHz but many decent hi-fi speakers don't go below 40Hz and fewer below 30Hz.

Devialet Phantoms do hit 17 Hz and 108db but are rock concert loud or soft back ground and full stage hi-fi as a pair. Even Devialet Phantom II are ten times your $250 spend and are not battery powered. Devialet Mania is battery powered but they pair in multi-room not stereo.

What is not hi-fi is any system with only Bluetooth. Bluetooth is lossy, compressed and poor latency (lip synch issues with video). Low latency Bluetooth and lossless needs source and speakers to have them and is still compressed. Apple Airplay 2 is compressed but lossless and limited to stereo. you need wi-fi, DLNA, uPnP chrome casting for better stereo. This also will not scale to surround. The solution for wireless surround is WiSA or get locked into to something the manufacturer has designed.

Phantoms offer fibre optic, Ethernet and wi-fi inputs so you can cast lossless from computers, mobile phones and connect over fibre optics from a TV.

B&O offer a large choice of life style speakers and the Beolab range passed and present for stereo to full surround sound. Whilst the prices go ever up and they seem to want to prove the false claim that they are too expensive - style costs and so does the material used to machine the speakers cabinets. Only you can judge if they don't sound what you think you can get for the money. Don't compare the price to passive speakers, consider that now they have built in streaming, DAC, pre and power amps, room correction and a nicely designed app. Beosound speakers go a long way to getting a higher than expected sound quality from a tiny box, well ignoring the A9 with is just big - from Emerge, Level, A5, Balance, Belab 8 and 28 are solutions in a single or pair of boxes.

Cabasse Pearl Akoya Wireless Speaker and their other £22k speakers have a different look and well reviewed.

For more portable like the Sony XG500 yet hi-fi solutions you are looking at B&W Zeppelin, Meridian Ellipse and Sonus Faber Omnia. With no separation of left and right many would not consider then hi-fi. For battery powered you might look at pairs of B&O Beosound A5 or Level speakers for full stage stereo. Not hi-fi? Go and listen for yourself and decide. Whilst not the end game in audiophile I am hard pushed to say I am missing anything in streaming or stereo compared to the flexibility of a pair of Beosound Levels (£3.2k) and have £14k speakers to directly compare. Your ears, your budget, your choice.

 

[nuttyflave]

The B&W Zeppelin Pro have:

• two 1" titanium dome tweeters, two 3-1/2" FST midrange drivers, one 6" powered subwoofer

Is this then considered stereo? Even though it's being sold as "Each" (as if one is expected to buy a pair to make them "stereo").