Definition of hi-end

High-end audio can refer to the build quality of the components, but more specifically, refers to the ability to reproduce a recording with the highest fidelity to the original performance that has been committed to the recording.

Typical qualitative attributes that are scaled by audiophile publications and experts are:

accuracy vs. warmth tonal color vs. speed timbre size of sound stage vs. depth (spatial origins) clarity pace timing A theoretically perfect audio system would create the illusion of the listener being present in the performance venue and with the musical performers performing on stage. There would be no sonic signature that imparts any clue as to the fact that the performance is a playback of a recording instead of witnessing a live performance given by the actual musicians in the particular performance venue.