what do lo-fi and hi-fi mean?

Question

i know what they stand for, but what do they mean?

Answer 1

Low fidelity or lo-fi describes a sound recording which contains accidental artifacts, such as distortion or environmental noise, or a recording which has a limited frequency response. This stands in contrast to high fidelity or "hi-fi".

In digital audio lo-fi usually refers to an audio file with a lower bit rate or sampling rate, and thus a lower sound quality.

In some cases high fidelity recording is avoided, or the artifacts are deliberately retained or added to all or part of the recording for artistic reasons. This decision is usually made by the record producer. Some argue certain unique aural qualities are available only with "low-tech" recording means.

Answer 2

Low fidelity or lo-fi describes a sound recording which contains accidental artifacts, such as distortion or environmental noise, or a recording which has a limited frequency response. This stands in contrast to high fidelity or "hi-fi".
In digital audio lo-fi usually refers to an audio file with a lower bit rate or sampling rate, and thus a lower sound quality.
In some cases high fidelity recording is avoided, or the artifacts are deliberately retained or added to all or part of the recording for artistic reasons. This decision is usually made by the record producer. Some argue certain unique aural qualities are available only with "low-tech" recording means.
Examples of lo-fi-type sounds include recordings of vinyl crackles on compact discs, as on Portishead's album Dummy, and telephonic vocals on Craig David's track "Fill Me In" (though these two are not regarded as "lo-fi" bands).