How to Choose a Hi-Fi Stereo System
Overview
Start with the room and budget
Before you look at any amplifier or speaker, work out what you can spend. A stereo is more than one box, so split the money between the amplifier, the speakers and the cables. In our Fourways shop we often see people spend it all on the amplifier and run out for speakers. Speakers shape the sound most, so give them the biggest share of your budget.
Thandi Mokoena
“A good TV setup should feel simple. Hide the clutter, pick the right size for the room and let the picture and sound do the talking. Everything else is extra.”
Set a Budget
A budget of around R8,000 gets you a solid pair of bookshelf speakers and a small amplifier. That is enough to hear a real difference from a TV speaker or a phone.
- Speakers: about 50% of the budget.
- Amplifier or receiver: about 35%.
- Cables and stands: about 10%.
- Keep 5% for a surprise.
Spend the extra on speakers first. You can upgrade the amplifier later without losing the sound you already like.
An Option for A Small Budget
Big picture, rich sound
If your budget is small, start with a pair of bookshelf speakers and a compact amplifier. Add a Bluetooth audio receiver and your phone becomes the music source. Bring a favourite song to the shop and listen on the pair before you decide. It costs nothing and it saves you from buying sound that tires your ears after an hour.
With an average budget you can step up to a proper stereo amplifier and floorstanding or larger bookshelf speakers. This is where music starts to fill the lounge, not just the corner next to the TV.
Think about the room. A small lounge in a flat needs less power than an open plan house in Fourways. Too much power in a small room only makes things louder, not better.
Ask about a turntable or a streaming device too. Both plug straight into the amplifier and give you more ways to play music.
An Option for An Average Budget
If your budget is small, start with a pair of bookshelf speakers and a compact amplifier. Add a Bluetooth audio receiver and your phone becomes the music source. Bring a favourite song to the shop and listen on the pair before you decide. It costs nothing and it saves you from buying sound that tires your ears after an hour.
Hi-End System
Big picture, rich sound
If your budget is small, start with a pair of bookshelf speakers and a compact amplifier. Add a Bluetooth audio receiver and your phone becomes the music source. Bring a favourite song to the shop and listen on the pair before you decide. It costs nothing and it saves you from buying sound that tires your ears after an hour.
Sipho Dlamini
With an average budget you can step up to a proper stereo amplifier and floorstanding or larger bookshelf speakers. This is where music starts to fill the lounge, not just the corner next to the TV.
Think about the room. A small lounge in a flat needs less power than an open plan house in Fourways. Too much power in a small room only makes things louder, not better.
Ask about a turntable or a streaming device too. Both plug straight into the amplifier and give you more ways to play music.
