Keep these considerations in mind as you’re shopping around

A hi-fi sound system can bring more joy, depth, and vibrancy to the way you listen to your favorite music. It’s an exciting purchase for your Bergen County, NJ, home and one that you shouldn’t make rashly. Before sinking an investment into expensive custom electronics, take the time to do your research, consult the experts at a hi-fi audio store, and determine what you need to build the sound system of your dreams.

If you’re ready to start, read on to learn four considerations to keep top of mind as you approach a purchasing decision.

SEE ALSO: 4 Boxes to Check When Choosing a Hi-Fi Audio Store and Dealer

 

Budget

Building a high-end audio system does require a financial investment, so take some time to consider what you’re willing to spend to get the kind of quality and performance you want. Your overall budget could depend on several factors, including how often you plan to use your system and if you plan to buy a complete system now or upgrade components over several years. Having a budget in mind will help you prioritize spending allocations to the individual equipment pieces you’ll need to buy.

While we recommend coming up with a budget before making any purchasing decisions, leave room for a little flexibility to deal with unexpected prices or finds.

Space

Do you have a space in mind for your system? Your space can dictate other decisions, like choosing bookshelf versus floor-standing speakers or an integrated amplifier versus a separate preamplifier and amplifier. Before planning the layout of your system, consider whether you want your hi-fi speakers front and center in your living room, tucked away in a guest room or office, or set up in a dedicated listening room.  

Music Sources

Make sure you’re considering the music sources you want available to play on your hi-fi system so that you buy all the equipment you need. Music streaming is a big one — you may need to invest in standalone music streamers, DACs, and a music player like Roon to stream hi-res services like Tidal and Qobuz. Or you may want to go with an integrated amplifier with built-in streaming support.

Additionally, consider the connections you’ll need for other music sources like CDs and vinyl records. All you’ll need to hook up your old CD player is an input connection on the amplifier. If you’re psyched to dust off your collection of vinyl records, you’ll need either a turntable and separate phono preamp or a turntable with a built-in phono preamp.

Speakers

Hi-fi speakers are the most important part of your audio system, and choosing the right ones is the hardest decision you’ll make. Determining the “best” speakers is a subjective judgment — the best speakers for your system are the speakers that sound best to your ears. That’s why we highly recommend coming to the Electronic Concepts audio store to listen to a selection of speakers for yourself before deciding.

We work with several notable hi-fi brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Meridian, Anthem, and McIntosh. Our audio experts are on hand to make recommendations based on your budget, volume preferences, and the type of music you like to listen to.

Electronic Concepts is proud to be your trusted hi-fi audio store and dealer in Bergen County, NJ. We’d love for you to visit our state-of-the-art showroom or set up a no-obligation consultation with our experts. Call us or submit an online contact form today!