How to choose the best hi-fi system for your space
At Soundstage we got into hi-fi because we love music and continue to explore and enjoy it in a wide variety of styles. Music should move, inspire, and enthuse you, and choosing a system to play it with isn’t about technical specs or lists of features, it’s about making the connection with the performers, about feeling what they are really trying to say.
We have been helping music lovers find systems for several decades, in that time we’ve found that no two listening spaces are alike.
That’s why we get to know your music tastes and the nature of the room that the system will be in before making any suggestions.
This guide is intended to help you understand which factors are important when choosing a hi-fi system that will suit you and your space, what matters and what doesn’t when it comes to building a great sound system.
“Music should move, inspire, and enthuse you...”
Understanding the listening space
The room that you put a system in will always influence the way it sounds. You only have to consider how different a speaker sounds in a bathroom and a bedroom to realise that environments reflect the acoustics you experience within them. Even the greatest hi-fi system will not deliver engaging results in acoustically challenging spaces. Before you start looking at components, consider the room it will be used in.
Size matters
We can create systems to suit any room size but when it comes to smaller spaces we recommend smaller speakers. This does not limit sound quality but a smaller speaker such as the Wilson Audio TuneTot will not create the bass problems that larger designs can introduce, especially when used with high-quality amplifiers such as the D’Agostino Progression. For larger spaces we find that floor-standing speakers and active designs like those from ATC can fill the room with real energy and give you a concert hall experience in the comfort of your own home.
Wilson Audio TuneTot Loudspeaker - ideal for smaller spaces like a study
Acoustics
While a minimalist space with hardwood floors and lots of glass might look good, it is not helpful if you want to enjoy great sound. The reflective nature of such spaces is best offset with soft furnishings such as rugs, curtains and book or even record shelves. Adding soft furnishings reduces the tendency for sound to bounce around the room when you turn it up. If you have excess bass problems then bass traps placed in the corners can help.
“Adding soft furnishings reduces the tendency for sound to bounce around the room when you turn it up.”
A shelf full of vinyl, free of any Coldplay LPs, can help improve room acoustics.
Furniture
Fitting loudspeakers into a busy living room requires a little more planning than finding some spaces near the wall. The majority of speakers work best with space around them, most will have too much bass if they are close to walls, so if you want an open, clear sound pull them into the room at an angle that faces your preferred seat. The angle or toe-in of a loudspeaker makes a big difference to its sound, for a clearer sound have them face you directly, for a more relaxed sound they can be parallel with the wall behind them.
At Soundstage we have a dedicated listening room that has been professionally treated to reveal what a good system can do in the right environment, it’s ready and waiting for you to hear what your favourite music sounds like at its best.
….the angle or toe-in of these YG Acoustic speakers can make a huge difference to its sound
Musical priorities
Tastes in music vary enormously and you may be surprised to learn that the same applies to the systems we use to reproduce that music. There is a lot to be said for identifying what kind of sound system works best for the music that you love.
Consider the genres that you enjoy, if there’s a lot of small-scale, acoustic-based music in your collection such as singer-songwriters, jazz or solo piano for instance where instrumental and vocal timbre is a fundamental part of the end result look for a system that presents plenty of detail in a tonally natural way. We think that the combination of ATC and Linn is particularly good at this sort of thing, this pairing resolves nuance and dynamic shifts with ease and draws you into the music.
Those who are thrilled by the scale and power of classical orchestras are more likely to appreciate a system that can deliver wide dynamic range and present the spatial aspects of such performances. We find that high-efficiency speakers with a natural tone combined with powerful and articulate amplification is the best way to deliver the energy and sheer volume of such works.
Those who live for rock, soul and electronic music will appreciate excellent timing because that is the key to engaging with the material, when the timing is right everything else falls into place. We recommend Wilson Audio’s TuneTot speakers and D’Agostino Progression amps because they have a punch, expressive sound that gives tracks with energy the sort of attack and authority that really moves us.
The other question to consider is what kind of listener are you?
Do you love detail, are you always listening for the nuances in a performance, the way an artist expresses themselves quietly but with real feeling? If so then try a system with high resolution, low noise and excellent imaging.
If you love bass and music with power and authority at the lowest frequencies look for speakers that can deliver this, active examples tend to be particularly good but speakers of a decent size speaker combined with powerful amplification are equally capable.
Some love a warm, typically analogue sound that delivers the music in a relaxed and tonally rich style. In this case valve amps are often a good start but there are many amp/speaker combinations that can produce such a sound.
An important part of finding the right system for you is to understand what it is you are looking for in a system, if you can identify some of your preferences and let us know what you love about music, that will help us to set you on the right path.
A Naim System is ideal for electronic music
“Love Jazz or solo piano? ...look for a system that presents plenty of detail in a tonally natural way.”
The right system can transport BB King & his beloved guitar, Lucille, into your listening space!
What type of system is right for you?
Now that you have an idea of what sort of sound you like and the kind of system that would suit your space you can look at the three basic system types and get an idea of which is most likely to be right for you. There are three fundamental types to consider: separates, all-in-one and active speaker systems. These are defined below and one will likely be the option that best suits your requirements:
1. Separates
This is a classic way to build a system and allows for maximum customisation and upgrade potential. When you choose separate source, amplification and speakers there is the option to change any of these in future for something better whilst retaining the rest of the system.
Pros: Best potential for high sound quality, flexibility of choice, upgrades keep things up to date
Cons: Takes up more space, involves more cables and requires expertise in set-up.
Best for: Enthusiasts who like to evolve the system over time and love great sound.
2. All-in-one
In these systems the electronics are housed in a single unit with a source and amplification; these are usually streaming-based and don’t take up much space. A good example is the Linn Majik DSM streaming amplifier, which is compact but very capable.
Pros: Highly optimised by the manufacturer, space efficient and easy to use, just add speakers and you’re away.
Cons: No option to mix and match and limited upgrade potential.
Best for: Anyone who wants great sound but doesn’t want a stack of gear.
3. Active speaker systems
Active speakers have amplification built into the back and incorporate an electronic crossover. This means that they have tremendous control and avoid some of the limitations of more common passive types. A great example is the ATC SCM50 ASL, which pairs superbly with Linn streaming sources.
Pros: No need for separate amplifiers, plenty of power, the choice of 99% of recording studios.
Cons: No option to change amplifiers, requires a power cable as well as signal cable.
Best: Those looking for precise power and control in a compact form.d quality to a surprising degree.
“Active speakers have amplification built into the back and incorporate an electronic crossover. ”
Component matching, the secret of synergy
Building a great hi-fi system is about more than selecting the best source, amp and speakers. Because all these elements interact with one another there are some combinations that work a lot better than others. In hi-fi circles this is called synergy, and finding an amp that will really make a certain pair of speakers sing takes experience or a lot of experimentation.
At Soundstage this is what we live for, we don’t just stock the best brands but we combine them such that the sound they produce is greater than the sum of the parts involved. One example is the pairing of Wilson Audio TuneTot speakers with the Dan D’Agostino Progression integrated amplifier. Both are amongst the best in class but when combined the synergy is palpable, the sound rich, beautifully timed and hard to put down.
The reason that these two work well together is that their characteristics balance one another. The Wilson Audio speakers have clarity, neutrality and beautiful tonal balance. The D’Agostino has warmth and drive. We have been trying combinations of components for decades and this is one of the best we have found.
It is not difficult to end up with mismatched components, you need the right amount of power for a given pair of speakers for instance, but it isn’t just a case of matching specs, it’s what the combination does to the sound that counts. With digital systems there is a need to balance detail with naturalness of tone, but choosing the right amp and speakers for a digital source makes a big difference to the end result.
“...it isn’t just a case of matching specs, it’s what the combination does to the sound that counts. ”
Audition before you buy
This is a fundamental of finding a system that will suit your music and your tastes. It is almost impossible to find agreement about which is the best system in the world and this is because tastes vary quite widely. You can narrow down your options with reviews and ratings but there’s nothing like hearing the options with your favourite tunes.
At Soundstage we have a dedicated listening room that has been treated so that you get a good idea of what the systems we offer can do. But what should you listen for apart from a sense that you don’t want the music to end.
Emotion: Music is about emotional connection, can you feel it?
Dynamics: Does it sound good at a range of volume levels, you may not always want to play loud or soft.
Realism: Does it sound like you’re in the audience at a live event?
Regardless of how much experience you have with hi-fi, listening is the best way to choose a system that will bring you the most joy.
Bring down your favourite music to audition at the shop and hear the difference!
“Music is about emotional connection, can you feel it?”
A journey into sound
Choosing a hi-fi system is a journey, an experience that will allow you to discover what sort of sound you like and the combination of components that best delivers the ultimate sound for your tastes.
The process takes into account room acoustics, component synergy, music types and tonal preferences. At Soundstage we’ve taken numerous music lovers down this path and helped them to find the perfect system for their music and living spaces.
If you’d like to get a better idea of what we’re about, bring your favourite albums over and let us reveal the full glory of the music you love.
“...find the perfect system for your music & living spaces.”