Hifi System

A hifi system can refer to one of two things.

1) A system comprised of separate units connected together by wires.

2) A power supply, amplifier and source unit (CD player etc.) placed in one unit.

This site provides a guide to integrated hifi systems. As already outlined, for a hi-fi to be classified as integrated system, it has to contain a power supply, a pre-amp, a power amp, and one source unit, such as a cd players, tuner or tape deck.

However, it's typical for an integrated system to include at least two source units, and possible three or four. Large integrated systems were especially popular during the 1970's and 1980's, when they were somewhat of a novelty.

While audiophiles and audio experts have continued to disparage the sound quality of integrated systems, specialist manufacturers, such as Denon and Bang and Olufsen have attempted to build high-end integrated hifis which attempt to replicate the quality of a system made up from separate units.

The advantage of an integrated systems is the lower cost, a wider selection of budget and mid range systems, space saving, a lack of wires and it's tidy appearance. The chief disadvantages of an integrated system are the lack of high end manufacturers, and the inability of upgrading specific parts.

Midi, Mini or Micro

The size of integrated systems varies and has evolved over the past three decades. During the 1970's and 1980's the width of integrated systems was generally the same as 'separate' units, measuring in the region of 43.5 cm.

As time passed the demand for smaller systems increased, and manufacturers found a unique selling point for integrated systems. Present day, it's actually quite difficult to find a large integrated audio system for sale, with a width of say 43.5 cm, or a height of 60 cm (excluding home cinema systems).

Virtually every integrated system is now of a 'micro', 'mini' or 'midi' dimension. Whilst there are no dimension classifications for any of these terms, generally speaking, the size, ascending, is as follows,

• Micro
• Mini
• Midi

The smallest system of all, and the current fad, is to hook up portable music systems, like an iPod, to a set of speakers. Like with home cinema systems, some hifi system have micro speakers, referred to as satellite speakers.

   Further Reading

    Related Pages - Built-in Hard Drive, Features, Made for iPod, USB Port
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