How is Mid Fi defined?

Does your system have a "loudness" control?

Sorry, but it's mid fi.

One of the best ways to determine if you system is mid fi or not is by counting the total number of buttons on your system. A lower number is more hi fi, and a higher number is more mid fi.

Although rare, some power amplifiers locate their power switches on the back panel, to discourage the user from ever turning them off. This is most certainly hi fi.

The presence of tone controls and remotes - particularly a "universal" or shared remote - pretty much guarantees that your system is mid fi, as does any subwoofer, regardless of cost.

Surround sound or multi channel audio is always mid fi.

The presence of any features designed for comfort or convenience are also always mid fi. For example, any turntable which is automatic or even semi automatic is certainly mid fi.

Recorded formats or devices which emphasize quantity, convenience or practicality, rather than effort no object quality, are always mid fi, if not low fi. MP3 therefore is always mid fi at best, and all CD and even SACD changers are mid fi.

Similarly, in wall or concealed speakers are always mid fi, regardless of their cost or alleged performance. And any component designed first and foremost to integrate into someone's living space is also clearly mid fi. So any product whose marketing materials use the word "lifestyle", or anything obviously designed to be small or lightweight is mid fi.

Everything ever made by Bang & Olufsen is mid fi, and Bose doesnt even reach mid fi status.

Samhar's makes an interesting point, but actually some Rolling Stones recordings are pretty good.

I hope this helps.

In fairness to this debate, "hi fi" may indeed be hi fi, but that is not alwyays a good thing.

So it should also be said that if your system sounds really good only with weirdo audiophile recordings, it is definitely hi fi.

If you find yourself not necessarily enjoying music, but sitting in your chair with a strained, contemplative look, while worrying about the cost benefit ratio of your latest upgrade, your system is definitely hi fi.

If you find yourself marveling at "inner detail", "resolution" or "transparency" in certain recordings, your system is probably hi fi.

If you think double blind tests are not relevant or fair, your system is surely hi fi.

If during normal operation a component has failed on several occasions, or created smoke or fire by itself, in a speaker or in your house, that is also definitely hi fi.

Enjoy,

6550c

Great answers! "THX certified" - Ha!

In one room in my house, I have an old Marantz receiver and Epos speakers. I like to think of it as a "vintage", not mid fi.

In the meantime, the real mid fi crowd must be feeling very insecure.

Oakleys

This forum is AUDIOgon, not MUSICgon or ARTgon so I think its OK to talk about audio.

How we value or appreciate audio vs. music is a well worn debate in other threads.

Since you mentioned money, I might add that yes, there is money at stake here, but usually only when people are willing to shamelessly market mid fi or low fi, as hi fi.

So mid fi is not an expression which is "useful for marketing purposes" it is a pejorative expression invented by audiophiles who know better and seek to educate others about our hobby.

This is yet another reason it is important to define and discuss "mid fi".

mr tennis

i propose mid fi is indeed a derogatory termm but meant to imply a pedstrian and mass marketed nature with inferior fidelity relative to so called hi fi

mid fi may or may not be poor quality at least in the context of mass marketed merchandise

i would suggest that Denon and Yamaha in the late 70s and early 80s for example were of high quality but nonetheless mid fi

conversely i propose that garage built and potentially unstable components may be hi fi but not high quality