HiFi System Buying Guide

Whether it is to organize parties, to listen to the radio in the shower or to add sound to an apartment, how do you choose the right Hifi system?

This guide allows you to review the main selection criteria (listening location, power, versatility, etc.) as well as the main types of models in order to help you choose your Hi-Fi system.

How to choose the right Hifi system

Listening place, power, reading sources: what are the priority criteria when choosing your Hifi system?

Where are you going to install it?

Before starting to choose the technical specifications and the power of the amplifiers, it is advisable to ask yourself in which room will your Hifi system be enthroned. Whether it's in a living room, in an office, in a bathroom, or if you plan to move it frequently, the location is decisive in deciding all the other criteria. In particular, it will influence the size and ergonomics of your chain, its design, its power and its type of connection. A channel adapted to its place of listening knows how to be discreet. In the living room, it's up to you to choose whether you want it to sit in the middle of the room, becoming a multimedia hub connected to the PC and to the television. It can also be discreet thanks to its mini size, or disappear behind a cupboard for total integration into the space. In a bathroom,a mini or mobile model is ideal, while in the bedroom, power comes after ergonomics and design. If you want a channel that can be heard in several rooms, you can opt for a mobile model, or a multiroom system based on wireless Wi-Fi speakers that allow maximum ubiquity throughout the house.

What power ?

The sound power of the chain is an essential factor in its final price. It depends on the quality of the cabinets and the amp, but be careful not to sacrifice the finesse of the sound. A powerful Hi-Fi system doesn't necessarily sound better, it just gives you a higher volume. To choose the power of your Hi-Fi system, it's up to you to see in which setting it will be used: do you want to add sound to parties, listen to music to relax, or do you want background music to liven up a dinner? between friends ? The power of a chain is measured in watts, but we recommend that you retain the watt RMS (Root Mean Square) value if it is available, which is much more reliable. For a small room, a string of less than 2x50 Watt should suffice.A chain between 2x50 and 2x100 Watt is justified to provide sound in a living room or a large room. As for the powerful Hifi chains beyond 2x100 Watt, they are to be reserved for very large rooms or for outdoor parties.

A versatile chain

What medium do you want to play music on?

If you still have cassettes and vinyls, only rare models are still compatible.

Unless you choose a HiFi micro system, the basic offer includes the radio, CD player, CD-MP3 player and a USB socket to connect an external hard drive or a Smartphone.

Some channels are equipped with a DVD player and connect to the television to play movies.

Most Hi-Fi systems are also capable of playing songs in MP3 format stored on a removable memory medium or a USB key.

Finally, if you are addicted to smartphones, choose a channel with a compatible dock to be able to connect your phone very easily, while recharging it.

Wireless is now

In addition to “classic” media, many Hifi channels incorporate wireless technology to remotely connect to your various devices (PCs, tablets, phones).

If you are an Apple fan, choose a HiFi system compatible with AirPlay, the manufacturer's own wireless communication standard.

More versatile, the Hifi Bluetooth system can pick up a device equipped with the same wireless technology nearby to reproduce the songs stored on it.

Finally, the ultimate is a Hi-Fi Wi-Fi system that allows you to connect to your local home network to play audio files from a PC, tablet or smartphone very simply, or even to listen to web radios from the Internet. .

Design: all tastes are allowed

Beyond its practicality, the Hifi system is often an elegant object that you are brought to see every day in your living room.

The aesthetic criterion therefore plays a large part in the choice of the model.

With the miniaturization of the components, the compact design is popular, with discreet chains with modern lines.

Other models express their power with extravagantly sized cabs and imposing curves.

But you can also prefer a traditional model, with speakers with a wood finish.

Do not forget the wall brackets so that your installation is discreet.

What type of Hifi system to choose?

The range of HiFi systems is more diversified than ever, the fault of the miniaturization of components which has made it possible to gain more power in ever less space.

But in addition to the mini and micro Hifi systems, classic models composed of several elements are still popular, as are mobile channels.

Mini or Micro HiFi system

The mini or micro Hifi chains are true concentrates of technology. They are the ideal solution for small interiors, kitchens or bedrooms. Easy to integrate into your interior, they can be placed on a shelf or on a piece of furniture for a minimal footprint. Discreet, many Hifi micro systems offer an often elegant design, with clean lines and a metal or black plastic finish. Note that mini-chains are more powerful and more functional than micro-chains, while the latter, less expensive, take the principle of miniaturization to the extreme.

The sound of a mini or a micro HiFi system will always be less powerful than traditional HiFi systems, because of the size of the speakers and the amplifier, but they do not sacrifice sound finesse. Indeed, some models provide audio reproduction which justifies the designation of "High Fidelity". To optimize the space they occupy, mini-systems rely on versatility: they are able to reproduce sound from the radio, a CD or a USB medium (such as a key or an external hard drive). Some even come with a smartphone dock, and others have a built-in DVD player and can connect to a TV for a web. On the other hand, if you have a large collection of cassettes or vinyls, it is better to opt for composed Hifi systems.

Classic or composite Hifi chains

Classic Hifi chains are adaptable, configurable and upgradeable. Bigger, they offer the best solution for music lovers who want powerful, high-quality sound. Composite Hifi chains sometimes consist of a versatile unit to which you add the turntables of your choice (vinyl turntable, CD, cassette player). But the most configurable models are Hifi chains made up from a HiFi amplifier with which turntables are associated. It is the most scalable solution: you can build your equipment over several years by adding elements as you wish. Composite Hifi systems also give you great freedom in the choice of your speakers: it's up to you to create your personal installation with wall baffles,Powerful floor or stand speakers, subwoofer, etc. The result is powerful and versatile Hi-Fi systems that adapt to all needs, even for audio professionals.

Portable chains

The descendants of the ghetto blasters of yesteryear have come a long way! Today's portable hi-fi systems are technological gems that combine versatility and audio quality in extremely little space. Whether you use them on mains or with batteries, they are also the cheapest models, perfect for daily use in several rooms of the house to listen to the radio or listen to your favorite songs with guaranteed ergonomics without the fuss. Many different models are available, from iPhone radio-dock models to CD-cassette-radio combos with Wi-Fi and digital radio tuner. Some models do not sacrifice sound power and offer oversized speakers (plan a good reserve of batteries, that said!).These all-terrain models are sometimes even equipped with a remote control.

What are the accessories for my HiFi system?

Cables and cords

To connect your Hi-Fi system to a PC, a cell phone, a television or quite simply to its speakers, you have to have the right cable.

The RCA outputs, which equip most Hi-Fi systems, cover most needs, allowing a cable to be plugged into the jack of a computer or a telephone.

For the rest, find out well and do not hesitate to call a store near you.

Microphones and headphones

A good headset, in addition to keeping you friends with your neighbors, offers incomparable audio quality.

Even if it is uncomfortable in the long run, it allows you to listen to audio tracks with unparalleled richness and depth of sound.

Microphones, on the other hand, are a good investment for aspiring singers or karaoke organizers.

Wall ties

For a chain that blends harmoniously into your interior, why not try the wall tie?

If the speakers lend themselves to it, it is an ideal solution for cramped interiors, allowing you to optimize floor space at little cost.

Don't forget the column speakers!

To accompany a hi-fi installation worthy of the name, acquiring column speakers is a very judicious choice. Of course, your hi-fi system must be compatible with this type of sound accessory, but also that you have room at home to install them properly. As part of a hi-fi installation primarily intended for listening to music, you can enjoy immersive, high-quality sound with only two floorstanding speakers installed with the aim of delivering stereo sound. Obviously, nothing prevents you from installing more speakers if you wish, the main thing is to take models that can adapt to your initial hi-fi system.Our shopping guide dedicated to floorstanding speakers for a hi-fi or home cinema installation is a very good starting point to help you complete your sound environment at home.