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.