What rough price does Hi-Fi sound start at ?

[davedotco]

I do not consider headphone listening to be hi-fi. Don't take that the wrong way, good 'phones have a clarity and resolution that few systems can match, but they do not reproduce anything close to a musical experince. It's a physical thing.

Otherwise a lot of people tend to be in rough agreement, around £1500 gets you something that can be considered hi fidelity. For a lot of material such a system may lack bandwidth and dynamic capability, but on some things it can sound pretty convincing.

I don't want to get too far into the 'I've heard better systems than you' argument, but hearing a seriously good system, well set up in a suitable environment, is a real eye (ear?) opener. I have heard a few and nothing I have ever heard at a show comes remotely close, one or two retailers make a decent stab at getting it right but most do not even try.

As I said, I think entry level is in the £1500-3000 region depending on sources but the best VFM in real hi-fi comes around £5000-10000, think Devialet 120 (or Accuphase integrated or Electro and Sugden pre-powers) and a nice pair of Fabers, Harbeths or something less well known. Add a decent source and you are easily heading towards five figures.

 

[Vladimir]

I do not consider headphone listening to be hi-fi. Don't take that the wrong way, good 'phones have a clarity and resolution that few systems can match, but they do not reproduce anything close to a musical experince. It's a physical thing.

Otherwise a lot of people tend to be in rough agreement, around £1500 gets you something that can be considered hi fidelity. For a lot of material such a system may lack bandwidth and dynamic capability, but on some things it can sound pretty convincing.

I don't want to get too far into the 'I've heard better systems than you' argument, but hearing a seriously good system, well set up in a suitable environment, is a real eye (ear?) opener. I have heard a few and nothing I have ever heard at a show comes remotely close, one or two retailers make a decent stab at getting it right but most do not even try.

As I said, I think entry level is in the £1500-3000 region depending on sources but the best VFM in real hi-fi comes around £5000-10000, think Devialet 120 (or Accuphase integrated or Electro and Sugden pre-powers) and a nice pair of Fabers, Harbeths or something less well known. Add a decent source and you are easily heading towards five figures.

Best post in the thread! *clapping*

 

[lindsayt]

Every year at the Scalford show there are a few rooms that sound really good. Genuine high end sound.

One reason for this is that it's an enthusiasts show and not a trade show.

 

[relocated]

I do not consider headphone listening to be hi-fi. Don't take that the wrong way, good 'phones have a clarity and resolution that few systems can match, but they do not reproduce anything close to a musical experince. It's a physical thing.

Otherwise a lot of people tend to be in rough agreement, around £1500 gets you something that can be considered hi fidelity. For a lot of material such a system may lack bandwidth and dynamic capability, but on some things it can sound pretty convincing.

I don't want to get too far into the 'I've heard better systems than you' argument, but hearing a seriously good system, well set up in a suitable environment, is a real eye (ear?) opener. I have heard a few and nothing I have ever heard at a show comes remotely close, one or two retailers make a decent stab at getting it right but most do not even try.

As I said, I think entry level is in the £1500-3000 region depending on sources but the best VFM in real hi-fi comes around £5000-10000, think Devialet 120 (or Accuphase integrated or Electro and Sugden pre-powers) and a nice pair of Fabers, Harbeths or something less well known. Add a decent source and you are easily heading towards five figures.

Best post in the thread! *clapping*

A £1500 start point may well be relevant for passive speaker systems but not for active and absolutely not for headphones.

Until I went active, headphones were the only means of getting sufficiently close to an accurate sound. The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life. That feeling is renewed every time I put my music on. It is the best money I've ever spent.

 

[chebby]

The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life.

A somewhat 'over-the-top' reaction to just finding a hi-fi you really liked.

 

[Vladimir]

I do not consider headphone listening to be hi-fi. Don't take that the wrong way, good 'phones have a clarity and resolution that few systems can match, but they do not reproduce anything close to a musical experince. It's a physical thing.

Otherwise a lot of people tend to be in rough agreement, around £1500 gets you something that can be considered hi fidelity. For a lot of material such a system may lack bandwidth and dynamic capability, but on some things it can sound pretty convincing.

I don't want to get too far into the 'I've heard better systems than you' argument, but hearing a seriously good system, well set up in a suitable environment, is a real eye (ear?) opener. I have heard a few and nothing I have ever heard at a show comes remotely close, one or two retailers make a decent stab at getting it right but most do not even try.

As I said, I think entry level is in the £1500-3000 region depending on sources but the best VFM in real hi-fi comes around £5000-10000, think Devialet 120 (or Accuphase integrated or Electro and Sugden pre-powers) and a nice pair of Fabers, Harbeths or something less well known. Add a decent source and you are easily heading towards five figures.

Best post in the thread! *clapping*

A £1500 start point may well be relevant for passive speaker systems but not for active and absolutely not for headphones.

Until I went active, headphones were the only means of getting sufficiently close to an accurate sound. The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life. That feeling is renewed every time I put my music on. It is the best money I've ever spent.

Is £1500 too much for good actives? Event Opals, 8" Adams etc. are in my wish list.

 

[Jota180]

There'll be gear out there in the tens of thousands of ££££££'s that probably doesn't fit the actual meaning of the term HIFI.

 

[davedotco]

I have quite deliberately stuck to 'conventional' setups. As explained above, I do not consider headphones to be comparable in any way. Despite the superb quality available, it's a completely different experience.

Active systems were left out partly because so few people appreciate them (their loss) and partly to avoid confusing the issues. I have made it clear that I like active systems, particularly at more modest prices and a sensible pair of studio speakers and a dac/pre-amp can easily be had for about £1k. For what it is worth I consider the best VFM from active studio types to be in the £2-3k range, above that you are mostly paying for bandwidth and massive dynamic capability (volume), neither being much use in a home setup.

I have avoided AVI products simply in an attempt to keep the discussion on track, no other reason.

 

[relocated]

The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life.

A somewhat 'over-the-top' reaction to just finding a hi-fi you really liked.

Your ignorant and small minded comment is a sad reflection on you Chebby. I feel sorry for you.

 

[chebby]

The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life.

A somewhat 'over-the-top' reaction to just finding a hi-fi you really liked.

Your ignorant and small minded comment is a sad reflection on you Chebby. I feel sorry for you.

No need. Thankfully I have had many moments in my life that I wouldn't swap for the puchase of any hi-fi that it's possible to obtain. No hi-fi can ever be that good.

If that makes me small-minded and ignorant then great! I'll have some more please.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

The cost of hifi.

Hifi is more about the creation of a stereophonic musical image imo - this can be achieved with systems like the Denon dab39 with well placed speakers.

Active or passive make llittle to no difference (it's the same technology - ie speakers driven by amps, the location of the amp is irrelevant)

Detail, scale we vary to taste and location. But if you can string up a set that can produce a 3d holographic image in a space with detail that's hifi.

I.e - if you have all top draw kit and place your speakers side by side or one on top of the other......its not hifi.

All in, my set (@original retail price) cost £2200
includes cables.

It delivers.

 

[BigH]

Active or passive make llittle to no difference (it's the same technology - ie speakers driven by amps, the location of the amp is irrelevant)

I think you have mised the point.

Its not the location of the amps that makes the difference. Note most Powered speakers have the amps inside the speakers, does not make them active. Not all active speakers have the amps inside them either. Its not the same technogoly either.

 

[Vladimir]

The cost of hifi.

Hifi is more about the creation of a stereophonic musical image imo - this can be achieved with systems like the Denon dab39 with well placed speakers.

Active or passive make llittle to no difference (it's the same technology - ie speakers driven by amps, the location of the amp is irrelevant)

Detail, scale we vary to taste and location. But if you can string up a set that can produce a 3d holographic image in a space with detail that's hifi.

I.e - if you have all top draw kit and place your speakers side by side or one on top of the other......its not hifi.

All in, my set (@original retail price) cost £2200 includes cables.

It delivers.

The Active Speakers Enforcement Comission will have something to say about that statement. Good luck.

 

[CnoEvil]

The cost of hifi.

Hifi is more about the creation of a stereophonic musical image imo - this can be achieved with systems like the Denon dab39 with well placed speakers.

Active or passive make llittle to no difference (it's the same technology - ie speakers driven by amps, the location of the amp is irrelevant)

Detail, scale we vary to taste and location. But if you can string up a set that can produce a 3d holographic image in a space with detail that's hifi.

I.e - if you have all top draw kit and place your speakers side by side or one on top of the other......its not hifi.

All in, my set (@original retail price) cost £2200 includes cables.

It delivers.

The Active Speakers Enforcement Comission will have something to say about that statement. Good luck.

Luck.....and a fire-retardant Kevlar vest. *unknw*

 

[chebby]

A picture will do ...

... it matters not how much of the diagram - beyond the drivers - occupies the speaker cabinets (or separate boxes on the outside). It's still active.

(Sorry to those who have seen this before.)

Equally you can have an entire passive system in a speaker cabinet or (more traditionally) in separate boxes. It's still passive.

 

[Vladimir]

Well he got one thing right in that sentance. Location of the amp doesn't matter. Speakers are called active or passive due to the Active or Passive Crossovers.

But what about the "make llittle to no difference" bit?

 

[steve_1979]

Active or passive make llittle to no difference (it's the same technology - ie speakers driven by amps, the location of the amp is irrelevant)

Differences between passive, powered and active speakers: Clicky

 

[BigH]

I.e - if you have all top draw kit and place your speakers side by side or one on top of the other......its not hifi.

All in, my set (@original retail price) cost £2200 includes cables.

It delivers.

So mono is not hifi?

 

[lindsayt]

The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life.

A somewhat 'over-the-top' reaction to just finding a hi-fi you really liked.

Your ignorant and small minded comment is a sad reflection on you Chebby. I feel sorry for you.

When are the forum moderators going to step in and stop these overly common trollish and personally insulting posts from the AVI gang?

If it's "never" that's OK. At least we would all know where we stand then.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

A mono signal still floats between a pair of speakers.

You still have that holographic image -
If on the other hand you have a single speaker not sure.

Edit:
Actually yes mono is hifi if the fidelity is there. Why not.

I.e - if you have all top draw kit and place your speakers side by side or one on top of the other......its not hifi.

All in, my set (@original retail price) cost £2200 includes cables.

It delivers.

So mono is not hifi?

 

[Vladimir]

If it's mono, stereo, quadrophonic, 5.1, 7.1 etc. is irrelevant. Mono should be heard through one speaker only. If the recording is terrible, the job of a high fidelity system is to reproduce it as is, not adding or removing sonic information.

 

[davedotco]

If it's mono, stereo, quadrophonic, 5.1, 7.1 etc. is irrelevant. Mono should be heard through one speaker only. If the recording is terrible, the job of a high fidelity system is to reproduce it as is, not adding or removing sonic information.

Can't have that Vlad.

It's against forum rules......*blush*

 

[Vladimir]

I have a form.

 

[Overdose]

The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life.

A somewhat 'over-the-top' reaction to just finding a hi-fi you really liked.

Your ignorant and small minded comment is a sad reflection on you Chebby. I feel sorry for you.

When are the forum moderators going to step in and stop these overly common trollish and personally insulting posts from the AVI gang?

If it's "never" that's OK. At least we would all know where we stand then.

It cuts both ways, but is little more than bickering.

 

[relocated]

The accuracy of headphones drove me on to find a speaker system that could compete and when I found it, it was one of the most glorious moments in my life.

A somewhat 'over-the-top' reaction to just finding a hi-fi you really liked.

Your ignorant and small minded comment is a sad reflection on you Chebby. I feel sorry for you.

When are the forum moderators going to step in and stop these overly common trollish and personally insulting posts from the AVI gang?

If it's "never" that's OK. At least we would all know where we stand then.

We are disagreeing about something, no trolling or other rubbish. Get a grip.