RICK MORALES:
Hi-fi gear is made to produce high quality above average sound usually for personal/home use and is of moderate power (about 200 watts or so). Every manufacturer has its own sonic preferences that their gear reflects so one may not have same features or specs as the others (tubes, digital…). It is usually the particular features that listeners want (warm, crisp, clear, detailed…) and the gear is also pricier than average consumer gear. Pro amps are more heavy duty commercial type gear that may be specialized (stadiums, stores, bands…) and are high powered, heavy that may not be suitable for home/personal listening. In those applications the fine detailed sound and etc. may not be useful or necessary. The watts can run up to the 1000’s per amp and multiple gear can be connected to produce ratings of 50,000 and more depending on the budget. So, the power and durability are the primary focus then follows the sonic stamp.
At the lower/personal listening volumes one can appreciate the fine sonic details which hi-fi is designed for. The pro gear can have those qualities also, like the studio gear for critical sound. That would be the crossover point between the hi-fi and pro gear.
The difference is more pronounced in the powerful commercial gear for above average sound levels. Although the sound may be full and clear there is a difference from the hi-fi gear that will not be noticed because of the loud crowd noises and reverb from the size of the building. If hi-fi gear would be used there the details would likely be washed out and for starters the power levels needed would be quite a challenge to match.
