Before there was stereo, there was hi-fi. High-fidelity, or hi-fi as it is commonly refered to, is ". . . the faithful electromechanical reproduction of an original musical performance" (Lander, 57). Hi-fi requires a wide frequency response (the ability to reproduce a wide range of notes, from high tones to low bass), and a wide dynamic range (from loud to soft). Noise and distortion in recording techniques must be kept to a bare minimum. The basic concept of hi-fi is true to life.
Hi-fi did not become a basic household term until the
1950's, when high-fidelity discs became readily available. The original
hi-fi discs were monaural. Before there was hi-fi, mono discs were
poor representations of the musical performance they attempted to reproduce.
Much hissing and crackling, if not because the record was scratched and
the equipment primitive, was due to poor mastering technology. Hi-fi
technology employed better styli and pickup cartridges for record players
that would damage records much less during playing. Hi-fi also involved
better speakers for reproducing the loud, booming bass, and high tone sounds.
Hi-fi was a complete success and by the 1960's transistorization made sure
that it would be universally adopted. Hi-fi also paved the way for
stereophonic technology, since, as hi-fi, stereo technology is an attempt
at making the listening experience more lifelike, enjoyable, and exciting.