Hi-Fi

- One of the most misunderstood terms in the English Language. The abbreviation stands for High Fidelity. I've just looked up "fidelity" . It is defined as "devotion, allegiance, faithfulness, loyalty" Now I know why  HMV chose Nipper the dog for a trademark............

                                                                                What is Hi-Fi? 

Is it more than just a generic expression for audio systems? Well yes, it always was, and still should be. The trouble is how Hi? and how Fi? should it be.

It ranges from "I've heard my mates midi hi-fi. It sounded crap. What's all the fuss about?" to "I've spent £20,000 on my Hi-Fi so far, but I can't quite get the sound I want"

Who got it right? The guy who spent £20,000? Well No, probably not.

(Incidentally, I've met them both in the 20+ years I spent in the Hi-Fi industry)

The classic definition to my mind is the slogan used by Quad (Originally Acoustical Manufacturing) for many years of

"The closest approach to the Original Sound"

In other words, the music should sound as if you were there. Sounds simple, doesn't it? When you can no longer differentiate between live and  recorded, then you have achieved true Hi-Fi.

Cover of 1959 HiFi Yearbook

To back up this claim, George Hooley, then Quad's Sales Manager and accomplished Clarinetist, used to do the most impressive demonstration of "live versus recorded" I have ever heard.

 George used to introduce himself, then explain that the best way to evaluate equipment was to compare against a live performance. He then used to play his clarinet (beautifully) to remind the audience what live music sounded like. Part-way through the piece, he would put down his clarinet, and take a drink of water. He had cut from live to a recording of him playing during the performance. Imagine the gasp from the audience when he put the clarinet down, because the changeover was totally inaudible. If the difference was inaudible, how much better can you get?

(As a post-script to this, George confided in me that the recording of him playing was made on £15 microphones in the corner of the Quad factory in Huntingdon)

So, How to achieve "The Closest Approach to the Original Sound" - Come with me to Hi-Fi - The Complete Picture.