10 AFFORDABLE WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR HI-FI SYSTEM

...and some of them won't cost even a penny

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Your hi-fi system is never complete. Just don't tell that to your bank manager when asking for a loan.

But upgrading your system doesn't have to mean racking up a big bill. In fact, some upgrades are completely free. That's right, they cost nada, zilch, nothing at all.

So, if you still have some way to go before you can afford that new pair of speakers or an amplifier capable of powering Ally Pally, give these suggestions a whirl. You may be surprised at just how much extra performance you can eke out of your existing kit.

1 ADJUST PLACEMENT AND POSITIONING

Hopefully you spent some time positioning your speakers when you got them - at the very least, you've got them facing the right way. Placing them close to any wall will reinforce their low-frequency output; this is an idea that may appeal initially but, on most models, doing so also spoils bass agility and precision. Most speakers are designed to be at least 30cm clear of a rear wall and a minimum of a metre from any side walls. Pointing the speakers inwards towards the listening position will help to firm-up the stereo imaging, but go too far and the soundstage width will suffer.

It's not just speakers that benefit from careful placement. Ideally, you want the rest of your kit placed away from your speakers (as far as the room allows) in order to restrict any vibrations that can tamper with the sound.

Especially, you ought to avoid positioning your system between your speakers: though it might look tidier, and the symmetry more attractive, it will spoil the stereo imaging.

2 MAXIMISE YOUR POWER SUPPLY