 |
|
|
||
HiFi Systems - Buyers Guide |
|||
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
HiFi Systems - Buyers GuideThe introduction of new technologies including MP3, DVD and recordable CD means that Hi-Fi systems are evolving with more specifications all the time. Here at Comet we offer a wide variety of Hi-Fi systems to suit your budget, needs and lifestyle.
Style Do you want a mini, micro, DVD or a component. Get all the style information here. Hi-Fi systems come in 4 main styles: Mini Hi-Fi Usually twin cassette, high power and a CD multi-changer. If size is less of a criteria but performance and power are, you may find a mini system to your liking. 
These systems regularly feature a multi CD changer, twin cassette and a radio but the reason that most people choose a mini system is the power output from the larger and louder speakers. And for those who want to make their Hi-Fi part of a complete home entertainment centre, there are Dolby Pro-Logic surround sound systems that connect to your TV and DVD player for the ultimate home cinema experience. Micro Hi-Fi Compact systems, usually single CD, designer styling. 
Ideal for use in a kitchen or bedroom where space is limited, a stylish compact Hi-Fi will offer a combination of CD player, tuner (radio), cassette or Minidisc deck. Designer aluminum, silver and wood effects make micro Hi-Fi systems a stylish audio addition to any room. DVD Hi-Fi Integrated DVD player. 
Whatever the size of your living room, enjoy the thrill of the cinema with a DVD Hi-Fi system. Complete with an integrated DVD player and surround sound output a DVD Hi-Fi can answer all your home entertainment needs in the one box. Component Hi-Fi Designer styling/increased performance. 
These are individual units that you can combine to tailor make a system to suit your requirements. Whether it's a CD player, cassette, tuner, amplifier, Minidisc, record deck, CD recorder or speakers you can be sure that a system made from quality individual components will provide the best sound around. Individual components are available in Micro, Mini and full sized configurations. Playback Which format is your music in? It will effect your playback choices CD The main advantage of a CD is digital playback. When you play a CD you are listening to a recording with very high fidelity i.e. very high similarity between the original signal and the reproduced signal and every single time you play it the recording sounds the same no matter how many times you play it. CD-RW 
MP3 music files are near CD quality files that have been converted and compressed for use by a computer. The file size of MP3s is much smaller and so much more manageable. For instance you can get approximately 15 standard music files or 100s of MP3 files on a CD. MP3 music files are great when you are sitting at your computer but what if you want to play them on your Hi-Fi system - now you can with the introduction of MP3-CD playback. What you need to do is burn your MP3 files onto a CD. The Hi-Fi manufacturer’s instruction manual will set out the layout in which the files should be saved in order to achieve playback. DVD More and more Hi-Fi systems are now being manufactured with DVD playback. This allows you to connect your Hi-Fi to your TV and enjoy the benefits of DVD i.e. near-studio-quality video and better-than-CD-quality surround sound audio. This is a great option if you are short on space as the need for a separate DVD player and home cinema kit is reduced. Sound Performance Music to our ears. The sound performance of your Hi-Fi is crucial Watts RMS All systems feature a 'power output', which is measured in Watts RMS. As a general rule, you will find that the higher this figure, the better the sound clarity and volume will be. Performance in top-end one piece and component systems are more dependent on the quality of the amplifier and build quality of the unit than just RMS power. 
Some systems have speakers that are 2, or 3-way. 2 way speakers have 2 separate speakers, one to deliver one part of the sound - for instance the high range, and one to deliver the other part - for instance the low range (bass). This has the advantage that each speaker is designed with that range in mind and so delivers better sound quality. 3 way speakers work in the same way except the sound signal is split in to low, medium and high range. Bass Boost Bass boost enhances the low range (bass) part of the sound for a richer fuller sound from a small speaker. Systems with individual bass and treble controls allow you to tailor make the sound to your liking whether you like rumbling bass or crisp treble. Radio The days of static & fiddling with your dial are gone. Get RDS or go digital. 
RDS Tuner with Presets
RDS (Radio Data System) is available on many Hi-Fi systems allowing the station name to be displayed making tuning easier and more informative. Stations tuned in can be preset so that your favourite stations can be accessed easily in the future. 
DAB Digital Tuner DAB Digital Radio (Digital Audio Broadcasting), as the name suggests, uses digital technology to bring a more efficient way to broadcast radio, allowing many more stations to share the airwaves. Some towns and cities will have 40 or more digital stations. More Channel Choice - As well as many established stations broadcasting in improved digital quality sound there will also be a whole new set of new unique specialist radio stations. Improved Sound Quality - Interference free listening wherever you are. LCD Display - Messages will often appear about the station or music you are listening to. This information will get more sophisticated with time. FREE - Unlike some digital TV services you don't need to pay to receive DAB digital radio. Recording Make your own compilations of your favourite tracks. 
Cassette The traditional analogue cassette remains a popular and easy method of recording and is available on many Hi-Fi systems. Mini systems tend to include a twin cassette deck, with Micro systems having a single deck. CD Recorder A few Hi-Fi systems now come with a built in CD-recorder. Recordable CDs make almost perfect digital recordings and will play back in most CD players. Minidisc A Minidisc is about half the size of a CD and encased in a plastic jacket like a floppy disc. The digital sound of a Minidisc recording is as good as a CD and you can play back and re-record time and time again with no deterioration in sound quality. Editing your recordings on a Minidisc system is better too as you can store alphanumeric information alongside each track and see the artist's name and track title in the display. 
This Product Guide was provided by kind permmission of Comet. Comet checks competitors' prices, then lowers their own. |
|
