A Guide to High-End Audio for Georgia Music Lovers

Learn About Hi-Fi and High-Res Music

Do you know what the best music format is? And is one pair of speakers better than another? Knowing music terms is important when you are investing in a quality audio system. The truth is both the speakers and the music sources matter. You need a high-end audio system and a high-resolution soundtrack to experience the very best music in your Cumming area home. Keep reading to learn all about these special terms.

What is a High-End Audio System?

High-end audio refers to the high-quality reproduction of sound as opposed to inferior low-quality audio equipment, which produces low-quality sound, or “low-fidelity” music.
 
A hi-fi audio system is typically categorized by a two-channel stereo system that includes quality loudspeakers that can produce a full, dynamic sound. This is not the same as a surround sound system that is in a home theater because surround sound has multiple channels. Audiophiles usually listen to soundtracks in dedicated listening room with quality left and right loudspeakers.

SEE ALSO: An Audiophile’s Guide to Wireless Audio Systems

What is High-Resolution Music?

Many people today purchase their music in the form of MP3s from iTunes or Amazon Music since digital music files are very convenient to own and use. While you get to carry your music around with you and save physical storage space, MP3s are just about the lowest quality music source. They operate at 320 kbps (bitrate). When an original recording is compressed into an MP3 file, a lot of information is lost.  A lower bitrate could translate to a softer bass response or weak-sounding drum cymbals.

High-resolution music, on the other hand, is compressed in such a way that no audio data is lost. High-res audio gives you the convenience of digital music and the benefits of having the highest quality music source. So where can you purchase or stream high-resolution files?

Currently, streaming stations like Pandora and Spotify use a bit rate of 160 kbps, which is even lower than a typical MP3 file. Tidal is one of the only streaming services that plays songs in CD quality at 1,411 kbps. High-resolution song files are seven times higher than that! According to Sony, there are several companies that cater to audiophiles and music lovers by selling high-resolution files for download--including HDtracks, Super HiRez, and Qobuz. Play a high-res source on your high-end audio system and you will be blown away by the difference in quality.

To experience the difference of hi-fi and high-res music, contact us online or call 770.888.8848 to schedule an appointment and try out our audio systems.