Reviews
How to Build Your First Hi-Fi System
Decide the budget, then the order
Many beginners spend everything on speakers, leaving the front end underpowered — and the whole system suffers. We suggest roughly 40% on speakers, 30% on the amplifier and 30% on the source. If you stream, you can shift part of the source budget into the amplifier's DAC.
The room picks the speaker, not the other way round
Living space in Hong Kong is usually compact, so bookshelf speakers often beat floorstanders. Nearfield listening with sensible diffusion will outperform forcing a pair of floorstanders into a small room. When auditioning, listen for whether the bass is under control and whether vocals sit too far forward.
What to listen for
- Is bass weight balanced with control?
- Does the midrange sound natural and full-bodied?
- Are the highs smooth, or fatiguing over time?
- Are imaging and depth clearly defined?
Don't over-invest in cables first
Put the budget into the main components; use cables initially just to get the system running properly. Once the system takes shape and you understand your own taste, targeted cable upgrades become far more meaningful.
The best system isn't the most expensive — it's the one that suits your room and your taste.
Book an audition
Reading only goes so far. We offer private audition sessions — book an appointment and we'll advise based on your budget and space.
