Hi-Fi Buying Advice

Our Hi Fi Buying Guide offers complete buying advice for anyone in the market for a new hi-fi system, whether they happen to be novice or expert. Hopefully you'll hear what you need!Hi-Fi Buying TipsBefore you begin looking for a new audio system, there are a few things you need to decide on. Audio systems can get very expensive, but no matter what you spend, we really recommend doing the right kind of research to make sure you get the best for your money.BudgetAlways work out the maximum amount you can spend before starting your search. Once you know your absolute limit, you can start identifying your key requirements much quicker and the search for a new hi-fi system will become much quicker.UsesWhat do you want from your hi-fi system? Most will come equipped with a radio and CD player and you can expect a tape deck or mini-disc player if you buy a slightly older-style stereo or an mp3 player/iPod docking slot from a more modern system.

You could be looking for a cheaper alternative to an expensive home cinema set-ups, in which case you'll need to make sure you get auxiliary ports that can plug into a TV or DVD player.Sound QualityPerhaps the most important thing to look - or listen - out for in a Hi-Fi system is the sound quality: how good your amp and speakers are and how well they work together. A signal from a sound source - such as a CD player - will be received and amplified by the amplifier, which then routes the signal to the speakers, creating audio.

You may think that a high wattage is an indicator of sound quality, but quality is far more important; a 50 watt amp is more than enough to drive the vast majority of home speakers.Audio File QualityAlso watch out for poor quality rips and  audio files; they are no match for a good vinyl pressing, or even a CD, so make sure you are listening on at least a 320kbps version, WAV file or FLACC, for example. You may not notice on small, cheap stereos, but larger hi-fis will pick up the differences  -and there's no point in buying an expensive set-up if you are only playing poor quality audio.Ask For A DemoDon't be afraid to head to your local hi-fi retailer with your favourite CD and ask for a demo. Take your time and listen out for 'tonal balance' - or how the different frequencies work together.

The bass should be clear, deep and offer a punchiness you can almost feel; the mid-range should sing, not squawk; and the treble should be crisp and undistorted - but the main thing is, they should all work together without one or two overpowering the others.Hi-Fi Buying Advice: TypesThere are various types of hi-fi set-up you can buy and what you eventually plump for depends very much on the plans you have for it. Smaller units may suffer from poorer sound quality, but if you only intend to keep it in the kitchen for listening to the radio, is that a problem? Probably not. Here's what to look for....SeparatesYou can pick up hi-fi components as individual units, so if you want/need a CD player, radio, turntable, speakers or amp, then you can buy them separately.

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