How is Mid Fi defined?

I think that many of the comments are on track for a reasonable distinction, but like everything else, black & white doesn't exist.

Let's examine my system:

(1) Focal Chorus 836v speakers. Not a "Big Box" store item, but is considered to be the flagship of the "budget" series of speakers. - Vote Hi Fi

(2) Integra 50.1. Not a "Big Box" store item, but is a multi-channel unit. - Vote Upper Mid Fi

(3) Martin Logan Dynamo 700 subwoofer. Is a "Big Box" store item and has wireless capability. - Lower Mid Fi

(4) Pioneer Elite SACD player. - I don't think it is a "Big Box" store item. Is definitely design for pure audio listening with minimal features and buttons (the main unit has three), but is designed to interface with a matching reciever. - Vote Hi Fi

(5) Integra 6-disk CD player. - Not a "Big Box" store item, but is certainly designed for convience and cannot complete with the Pioneer Elite for sound quality. - Lower Mid Fi

Overall I think my system average is Mid Fi, but having compared their sound to much more expensive products I believe I'm fairly high on the cost/return curve.

Overall I think my system average is Mid Fi, but having compared their sound to much more expensive products I believe I'm fairly high on the cost/return curve.
Mceljo (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Whatever you believe is what counts. It's your money.

Why do you have the need to define your gear in some nebulous ranking system?

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,

HiFi - Is the music you enjoy along with whatever the basic sources are that allow enjoyment of the music regardless of cost.

MidFi and LowFi - Whatever you have in excess of what was necessary to enjoy the music regardless of cost.

The more in excess the more it classifies as LowFi in that you didn't need the excess after realizing that nothing or very little was gained.

...it cost less than your car.

...you wife doesn't ask why it has to cost so much and take up so much room.

...mp3's sound just fine.

...playing it has no noticeable effect on your electric bill

...you feel no need to upgrade anything.

...the speaker wires came with the equipment, and work fine.

...you wonder why these people on Audiogon argue about tubes, power cords, room treatments, sampling rates, and whether their systems are "mid" or "hi".