What is the definition of hifi?
-high fidelity
-natural
-elite

And same thing in real life?
-even worse

Consumer class? High end? Get real.
-supermarket systems with lots of flashing lights
-cables that cost more than my whole system

Commercial viewpoint. What sells is good enough.
-consumer is always wrong
-consumer is stupid
-either buys anything or only one particular system

What matters in real-life system in order of importance:
1. speakers
-get good quality speakers in wooden cabinets
-don't be fooled by boomy bass
-listen before you buy
2. amplifier (pre and power)
-simplicity, enough power, check the back side
3. room and speaker placement
-very important to get all portential out of any system
4. cd-player etc. boxes producing signal
-reject flimsy mechanism and flashy options, more basic is better
5. stability of local power from wall-outlets
-call your local nuclear power plant
6. cables
-good thick cables, no oxide-free big $$$ thingys needed 

My own system is based on my simple needs. Enough power to produce cleanly volyme needed to irritate neighbours. Mostly used to listen 2-channel cd-recordings. I bought the coresystem for this purpose and later added more stuff for movie-use.

I happen to like pop-music so I don't need "natural" sound like true hifi-entusiasts. What the hell is natural sound if everything is made with electrical instruments in studio? If that means reproducing live gigs then you'd need only big low quality PA-systems producing incredible amounts distorted volyme. Keep those earplugs available.

In Dolby Digital 5.1 channel system most important is similarity of sound in all speakers. Almost all systems are sold with inadequate center/surround speakers. Ideally you should get 5 exactly same model and to reduce cost an additional subwoofer, so speakers can be smaller. Ideal spot to give some feedback on supermarket-systems: if you're unfortunate enough to own one of these all is not lost, get real speakers, turn off all fancy gimmicks and enjoy.

My way is the separate system way. No thanks for integrated boxes. I'll pay my dues for this but you can use modern integrated systems if you buy wisely.

Placement of speakers is always a pain and then some. Also you must be careful or the spouse factor could ruin everything. Slowly, nice and easy ease everything to optimal.

Some hilarious articles about all this, only in finnish:
Autohifi
Signaalipolku
Surround
Vitusti passoa

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Last modified Aug 14 2001