What is High Fidelity (Hi-Fi)
When we hear the term Hi-Fi, we assume it’s just a word that audiophiles and cinema experts use to describe niche products in the audio world. But that isn’t the case. What is High Fidelity, and why might you already own some form of Hi-Fi audio equipment without knowing?
High Fidelity or Hi-Fi is a term used to describe high-quality sound reproduction. Previously, it was only popular among audiophiles; however, over the years, technology has improved, and High Fidelity audio has become more accessible to home listeners.
Authentic Hi-Fi equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, meaning no deviation from the original desired sound. In Contrast, Low Fidelity, or Lo-Fi, is low-quality audio usually produced by older or inexpensive equipment.
The Introduction of High Fidelity
Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, groups, including orchestras, audio experts and enthusiasts, took the first steps in creating High-Fidelity to be able to produce music that sounded like it did in the studio.
Further improvements were made in 1948 with the new reel-to-reel tape recording functionality developed with the help of technology taken from Germany after World War II. Higher quality turntables and needles were also brought to the market during this time along with FM radio which was more consistent than AM radio and provided a wider audio bandwidth.
The term high fidelity was first used by manufacturers in marketing and product descriptions during the 1950s; This was to separate the standard range products from the top-range records and equipment that stood out when it came to quality sound reproduction.
Audio in the 70s, 80s and 90s
During the early 1970s, stereophonic sound (stereo) was beginning to be utilised commercially across the globe and stands as one of the most impactful integrations in sound reproduction history. Unlike Monophonic sound (mono), stereo uses two independent channels to create a multidirectional audio experience.
The compact disk (CD) was invented in the early 1980s and was the first mainstream digital audio format. CDs aimed to provide a cleaner listening experience by removing a lot of unnecessary sounds. However, these days, the authentic imperfections make vinyl players and records so sought after.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, high-fidelity audio became further detached from modern audio due to the release of the iPod and Napster, which traded high-quality sound reproduction for compressed audio files like MP3 that could play on small portable devices. In many ways, these changes aided in the popularity of Hi-Fi because people could better distinguish between high-fidelity and low-fidelity audio.
What Hi-Fi Looks Like Today
Nowadays, there is such an extensive range of different Hi-Fi components such as Turntables, Speakers, Headphones, Receivers, and so much more, all of which serve a unique purpose for home listening. Hi-Fi provides an entirely unique experience compared to standard audio equipment, which is why it is becoming so popular today. The quality of high fidelity has continued on an upward trajectory throughout the years, and we can only imagine what it will look like in the years to come.
If you want to see what Hi-Fi looks like today, click here to browse our vast range of products from the most notorious brands in the industry. Alternatively, visit us in-store for product demonstrations or call one of our experts on 02476 631 707 or 02476 525 200.
