High-fidelity, or HiFi, represents the pinnacle of audio excellence - a term synonymous with superior speakers, subwoofers and more. But what exactly is HiFi sound?
Join us as we explore the essence of high-fidelity, uncover its true significance, and guide you in crafting the perfect speaker system to infuse your home with the unparalleled luxury of HiFi audio.
Join us as we explore the essence of high-fidelity, uncover its true significance, and guide you in crafting the perfect speaker system to infuse your home with the unparalleled luxury of HiFi audio.
Table of Content
- What Does High-Fidelity Mean?
- Why Choose High-Fidelity?
- How To Build A HiFi System
- KEF’s HiFi Speaker Technology- Uni-Q- Single Apparent Source Technology- Metamaterial Absorption Technology- Music Integrity Engine
- Digital to analogue converter
- Amplifiers
- Speakers
- Subwoofers
- Placements
What Does High-Fidelity Mean?
High-fidelity describes audio that is reproduced from the original with the utmost accuracy.
It’s like sitting at home listening to a record and feeling as if you’re in the crowd at a concert. It’s watching a film and feeling as though the actors are in the room with you. It’s playing a video game, where the game world comes alive as every sound is heard with precision.
The trademarks of high-fidelity audio include:
- Minimal distortion
- A full and accurate range of audible frequencies
- Even sound distribution throughout the space
- Unique and distinct components of the soundscape
- Well-balanced midrange, treble and bass frequencies.
It’s like sitting at home listening to a record and feeling as if you’re in the crowd at a concert. It’s watching a film and feeling as though the actors are in the room with you. It’s playing a video game, where the game world comes alive as every sound is heard with precision.
The trademarks of high-fidelity audio include:
- Minimal distortion
- A full and accurate range of audible frequencies
- Even sound distribution throughout the space
- Unique and distinct components of the soundscape
- Well-balanced midrange, treble and bass frequencies.
Why Choose High-Fidelity?
Imagine a relaxing summer evening spent unwinding in the garden, listening to music with family and friends as the sun begins to set. An ordinary Bluetooth speaker connected to a Spotify account can provide a pleasant enough backdrop for the occasion - but that’s not HiFi.
With KEF’s HiFi speakers, you can experience the music exactly as the artist intended. Enjoy every note and harmony, and identify each subtle instrument that underpins the melody. High-fidelity allows you to rediscover your favourite tracks in pristine detail like never before.
With KEF’s HiFi speakers, you can experience the music exactly as the artist intended. Enjoy every note and harmony, and identify each subtle instrument that underpins the melody. High-fidelity allows you to rediscover your favourite tracks in pristine detail like never before.
How To Build A HiFi System
Ready to elevate your listening experience with HiFi? Our tips can help you craft the perfect sound system.
Audio Sources
First, you’ll need an audio source, such as a quality turntable for your vinyl or a decent CD player. You can also use a wireless speaker connected to a streaming service that offers high-quality files. TIDAL and Qobuz have HiFi options available for certain paid tiers.
When streaming, several file formats can deliver high-fidelity sound.
The Waveform Audio File Format (WAV) is an uncompressed format similar to that of a CD. Apple has its own version called Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF).
Free Lossless Audio Compression (FLAC) is a lossless file format, meaning the file size is smaller without losing vital information. Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files are TIDAL’s HiFi offerings; however, these can experience some loss, and their fidelity is similar to that of smaller files in other formats. For this reason, TIDAL is currently replacing MQA content with FLAC format files.
If you’re interested in file formats, read our blog, "A Glossary of Digital Music File Formats".
When streaming, several file formats can deliver high-fidelity sound.
The Waveform Audio File Format (WAV) is an uncompressed format similar to that of a CD. Apple has its own version called Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF).
Free Lossless Audio Compression (FLAC) is a lossless file format, meaning the file size is smaller without losing vital information. Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files are TIDAL’s HiFi offerings; however, these can experience some loss, and their fidelity is similar to that of smaller files in other formats. For this reason, TIDAL is currently replacing MQA content with FLAC format files.
If you’re interested in file formats, read our blog, "A Glossary of Digital Music File Formats".
Digital To Analogue Converter
If your sound system doesn’t have a built-in Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC), you’ll need an external one. This device enhances your streamed sound to HiFi quality by fine-tuning the audio quality and tonality. It takes snapshots of the digital sound waves and converts them into an analogue wave that can be amplified and understood by the human ear.
The higher the sample rate and bit depth, the greater the fidelity. The sample rate refers to the number of snapshots taken of the original sound wave, while the bit depth indicates how much detail each snapshot can capture.
The higher the sample rate and bit depth, the greater the fidelity. The sample rate refers to the number of snapshots taken of the original sound wave, while the bit depth indicates how much detail each snapshot can capture.
Amplifiers
An amplifier is essential for a HiFi system if you have passive speakers, which are not powered by built-in amplifiers. The amplifier should boost your audio signal without distorting it. However, KEF offers active HiFi speakers, meaning the addition of an external amplifier isn’t necessary to enjoy exceptional high-fidelity sound.
Refer to our guide on amplifiers and our comparison guide on active and passive speakers to help you make the right choice for your personal HiFi system.
Refer to our guide on amplifiers and our comparison guide on active and passive speakers to help you make the right choice for your personal HiFi system.
Speakers
Of course, the star of the show in a HiFi system is the speakers, typically a set of two, from which sound is perfectly reproduced. At KEF, we offer both wired and wireless speakers. Check out our wired speaker guide and wireless speaker guide to choose the best HiFi speakers for your needs.
Subwoofers
You can enhance your speakers with the addition of a subwoofer - a specialist piece of audio equipment designed for high-fidelity bass reproduction. This takes some of the workload off your speakers and improves the overall performance of the system.
Discover our subwoofer guide to learn how they can perfectly round off a HiFi system.
Discover our subwoofer guide to learn how they can perfectly round off a HiFi system.
Placements
The final touch to your system is placing everything in an optimal position so the sound blends perfectly in the room. Our speaker placement guide can assist you with this.
KEF’s HiFi Speaker Technology
At KEF, our speakers are designed with several innovative technologies that deliver crisp high-fidelity sound.
Uni-Q ensures an even distribution of HiFi sound, providing you with the same detailed audio no matter where you are in the room. We place the speaker’s tweeter at the acoustic centre of the midrange cone (and, in some cases, within the bass and midrange cone), dispersing all frequencies from a single point source.
Working in conjunction with the Uni-Q driver, Single Apparent Source Technology eliminates the interference that arises when drivers produce sound from separate points. This technology can be found in Blade One Meta, Blade Two Meta and LS60 Wireless.
Unwanted distortion is the enemy of HiFi, and our Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) effectively addresses this issue by eliminating extraneous sound from the rear of the driver through its intelligent structure.
The Music Integrity Engine (MIE) comprises our in-house algorithms that work together to coordinate the various components of your HiFi system, ensuring perfect accuracy, detail and timing tailored to your room type.
Create a HiFi system with a KEF wired or wireless speaker, along with subwoofers and speaker accessories to listen like never before.
Want to upgrade your audio experience further? Our blogs have all the tips and tricks you need.
Want to upgrade your audio experience further? Our blogs have all the tips and tricks you need.
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Find out more about our award-winning models and book a demo at your nearest KEF retailer.
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