Unfortunately, due to some of the "issues" with artifacts produced by modern gear, HiFi has come to mean the opposite of what was originally intended. Some of these issues include cone breakup produced by hard membrane drivers, accentuated leading edges often caused by electronics and/or cables, a hard and glassy sound that can be caused by SS amplification devices, silver or silver plated wiring. Also, unnatural forwardness of presentation and emphasis on uppder midrange and lower high frequency ranges. And pretty much any artifact that produces listening fatigue.
However, it's also not clearly defined and some will call a good system with full frequency extension at the high end "HiFi" when it's simply not rolled off enough for the individual's personal tastes. Some have damaged hearing that includes a general reduction in high frequency hearing with the exception of sensitivity at certain frequencies, so they call anything that irritates their particular hearing issues as "HiFi". Folks with hearing damaged by headphone use or going to high-SPL concerts often enough perceive a more forward and aggressive presentation as more natural when others will call it "HiFi".
Personally, I don't think "HiFi" is a good term for any of this as it's being misused, but "the industry" is also partially to blame for selling a lot of gear that is, for better or worse... "HiFi".
Anybody that grew up during the Age of Aquarius and the psychedelic 1960’s and early 70’s would have a hard time convincing me that music doesn’t relate to Social trends and Music producers don’t push the envelope of artistic license.
A great example was the Moody Blues 1967 album...Days of Future Passed. Many examples of music to enhance the experience of mind blowing whether natural or drug induced.
Was it HiFi? No way...just a new way of expression. When I first heard the Moody Blues..now that was a Wow moment
Ok, I can see that. I do think engineers played a small part in developing what music producers wanted and of course they were driven by social trends,because that was where the money was. In the days after Hi Fi when multi tracking came of age...music was a driving force both socially and politically. Artistically we shall never see that time again.The sub-topic wasn't the music, it was the engineers of the gear.
The sub-topic wasn't the music, it was the engineers of the gear.
1) A kind of sound-reproducing system whose realism of reproduction is judged to be better than average. Stereo reproduction can be high-fidelity or otherwise. 2) The pursuit of perfection in sound reproduction, as a hobby or a religion.
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