Ethan-

You're missing an important third choice which would be, "I don't know I'd have to hear it." Please mark me down for option three.

I vote for option number 3. Pretty pictures, BFD!!! I need to hear it first.

Maybe I would like it just fine.

There is no perfect system. On some days I may prefer it to yours, on others, not.

Those 'matchstick' speakers are a common DIY project and make for fun listening.

Different strokes.

This hobby is about finding the sonic cues that give us a listening experience that is musically satisfying.

Look at the market for that amp. Economics could be used to prove it's better than your Pioneer by virtue of the price it sells for. To Adam Smith, that is good evidence of its quality.

Now, pics of your system, please.

I'd definitely prefer it if it had some sort of front end. Or is that what the guitar is for?

What's the source?

What's the listening room like?

What is the response and polar pattern of that 5' driver?

Are you trying to reproduce 32' pipes or not?

It would do fine, maybe, for some female vocal playback. It would by necessity of physics choke on some recordings, say the Telarc 1812, Berlioz Requiem or SS Organ Symphony.

What's it for?

Gee, Ethan, I wonder where you're going with this?!
I'll tell ya' what; I'd have to hear it first, but it probably sounds rather nice. (Even with all that nasty comb-filtering)

Who cares what others think..as long as you think it is and are happy with it

The specific question is whether we would be satisfied with it as our main system, which is a preference question. The thread title is "What constitutes high fidelity?" That is an accuracy question, after a fashion. So, the thread is confused from the start.

I answered that I would not be satisfied with that as my main system. It is simply too limited in what it can do. I don't know where I would put it on the likeability scale as I haven't heard it, but not surely not very high. Its owner may like it a lot, but that's not my problem.

I already have a system that does pretty much what I want it to do as a stereo system, so I would not be remotely interested in that system.

Can one actually achieve high fidelity with a stereo system?

I as well would not be satisfied because of limitations in music reproduction but then I am not the person who needs to be pleased here. Everyone here has a different set-up and that is because we all listen and hear differently. For the music YOU listen to you need to determine if it is satisfactory compared to another system which you might audition at your audio dealer.

A bogus survey and a transparent attempt to make the rest of forum to take sides in your silly spat with Jan.

No, I don't think it'd be right for what I listen to, but that does not mean it's bad sounding for any number of genres of music! I am almost certain that if you prefer chamber music, a lot of jazz, and probably a number of other niches it'd be more than adequate. Don't try and get everyone to "prove" YOU are right in thinking you can trash Jan's system.

How about getting past the 3rd grade playground fighting both of you?

Well, I'd say the Larrivee (guitar) is high fidelity.

Quote:
A bogus survey and a transparent attempt to make the rest of forum to take sides in your silly spat with Jan.

No, I don't think it'd be right for what I listen to, but that does not mean it's bad sounding for any number of genres of music! I am almost certain that if you prefer chamber music, a lot of jazz, and probably a number of other niches it'd be more than adequate. Don't try and get everyone to "prove" YOU are right in thinking you can trash Jan's system.

How about getting past the 3rd grade playground fighting both of you?

Well said, Doug.

Ethan, I think your poll has been voted against. I'm closing this thread. Hopefully you'll consider the several excellent responses that have been offered here, and learn from them.

If you'd like to start a new thread which discusses, in an adult manner, your questions and ideas about high fidelity, please go for it.