hi-fis

Quality audio setups

Hi-fis is the plural of hi-fi, short for high fidelity—audio equipment designed to reproduce sound with minimal distortion.

The term emerged in the mid-20th century when quality home audio systems became available to consumers: The living room was cluttered with vintage hi-fis.

Now somewhat dated, as most modern audio equipment meets high-fidelity standards by default.

equipment

stereos

Multi-channel sound equipment

amplifiersDevices that increase signal
speakersAudio output devices
turntablesRecord-playing devices

receivers · subwoofers · tuners · preamps · equalizers · CD players · cassette decks · sound systems · record players · phonographs

audiophile

Sound quality enthusiast

vinylSynthetic resin plastic
analogComparable equivalent
digitalOf discrete data

lossless · fidelity · soundstage · warmth · clarity · frequency response · impedance · wattage · distortion · separation

vintage

retro

Evoking recent past

classicOf lasting excellence
antiqueOld valued collectible
collectibleObject worth amassing

valve · mid-century · gramophones · radiograms · nostalgia · McIntosh · restored · reel-to-reel · heirloom · warm sound

Opposites

audio quality/fidelity

hi-fistransistor radios

Portable semiconductor-based broadcast receivers

clock radios · gramophones

portability/form factor

hi-fisWalkmans

Sony's portable tape players

boomboxes · iPods · MP3 players · portable radios · Discmans

technological era

hi-fisstreaming services

On-demand video delivery platforms

wireless speakers · smart speakers · Bluetooth speakers · soundbars · phonographs

Family

high, hi-fi, high fidelity

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G