One way to find out what is hi-fi and what is not is to use a pink noise generator, a measurement microphone and a frequency analyzer. Run the pink noise through the rig in question at the level you intend to be playing, and then measure the frequencies emitted from the speakers, and their comparative levels. The rig that needs the least EQ-ing is the most inherently hi-fi. Of course, there is nothing wrong with using EQ to get a flat sound, if the rig can accomplish that, and if that is what sounds good to you. Caveat: the sound being measured is dependent on the acoustic qualities of the environment in which this takes place, so to compare one rig to another you would want to do it in the same place. I do this with my permanently-installed home stereo system, as a flat sound generally pleases my ears in that application, but not with my bass rigs, since there are many more variables involved, such as changing acoustic environments (when you play in another location) and the sound of other musicians as they play, who may be producing frequencies which enhance or mask the frequencies you are producing. I have found that a nice sound I dial in when playing alone doesn't quite make it when others start playing, and some adjustment is needed.
I am ignorant as to how this measurement method is affected by growl and other types of distortion. Can anybody help out?
