First the electronics…

1. Matching pairs
We advocate separates over all-in-one systems. Sound-per-dollar, separates tend to perform better, but when buying we still suggest you demo the same maker's matching amp and CD player. The kit usually shares the same design team, sonically complements each other, and if you like the sound of the amp, you'll probably enjoy the CD player, too.

2. Essential extras

Before you hit the shops – and we recommend you buy from a high-street dealer, where you can hear the kit – work out your total budget. Allow roughly the same amount for each component (including a pair of speakers) and then add 15 to 20 percent for extras, such as cables, speaker stands and a dedicated equipment rack.

3. Listen to your favourite music
A decent hi-fi dealer will have a CD and vinyl collection for demo purposes, but we suggest you take your own music. Take tunes you know well so you can concentrate on how the kit is performing, rather than letting new music put you off. And don't just take your ‘good'-sounding CDs. If you listen to lots of compressed pop, take it along and hear exactly how it sounds.

4. Position before you listen
You've bought your shiny new kit. Congratulations! But you're not going to stack your new amp, CD spinner and (especially) turntable on that rickety table? And don't even think of putting the kit on the floor – thick pile or no thick pile. To sound its best, hi-fi kit needs a dust-free, level and secure base. Invest dollars in a dedicated rack, and the sonic (and visual) rewards justify the cash outlay.

5. Room to breathe
Well done for buying that nice equipment rack, but before you undo all your good work, make sure you give your stereo amplifier room to breathe. These machines get hot, and the chassis vents shouldn't be covered up (unless you're shooting an arty photograph for this page). The top shelf of your rack is ideal, but if you also own a top-loading CD player and/or turntable you'll need to buy a rack that gives sufficient shelf clearance for all.

6. Spaghetti junction
A hi-fi system's rear-end will never be the sexiest-looking place on earth, but you should get round the back now and again. Ensure all the cables – interconnects, mains and speaker cables – are not tangled up together. Invasive mains cables are especially bad news, providing nasty interference, and messing with your hi-fi's lovely sound (and yes, it does make a difference). Oh, and while you're round there, get the duster out, too.

7. Hi-Fi – live and unplugged
We've avoided getting too ‘tweaky' so far, but we're all friends here, so try this: every three to six months, unconnect and then reconnect all the cables. This gives your wires a quick clean, plus ensures all connections are good and secure. As a result, music sounds better. And, yes, newly washed and vacuumed cars do go faster and handle better.

8. A screw loose?
New hi-fis are like new bicycles. Sort of. Three months after purchase, dig out your spanner and tighten up the situation. You'll most likely find the screws of the equipment rack and speaker stands have worked a little loose. Double-check your kit rack is still level, too. You did check it was level when you initially set it up, didn't you?

9. Keep on improving
Hi-fis are happiest playing in the heat. New kit can take weeks to reach optimum levels. Once run-in – unless you have an environmental conscience – we suggest you leave your kit switched on. Otherwise, give it around half-an-hour to warm up before you hit play.

10. Daddy's deck
Turntables are especially needy. They can take ages to set up, and need regular health checks. But make space for a deck and you won't believe how good it sounds. However,
our most important bit of turntable advice is: once you've set it up, don't let the kids touch it. 

And for the speakers…

11. Measure by measure
Nine times out of ten, average speakers, in their optimum position, sound better than class-leading speakers in the wrong position. So, before you buy, get the tape measure out and establish where your new speakers will sit. If you've got a bigger room you'll be able to sit them in freespace – normally the best-sounding location – but, if you have a smaller room, make sure you demo speakers where they will sit: close to a wall.

12. Floorstanders
We know the feeling (all too well) – you head down to your local dealers, cash warming your pocket, ready to buy new speakers. Then you see them – massive, driver-drizzled, floorstanding monsters. You must, must have them. But before you jump in, remember this: many of the more affordable towers will be beaten by similarly priced (including stands) standmounts. Sure, bass reach may reduce, but areas such as speed and tautness usually improve.

13. Stand in the place where you live
Many speakers are advertised as ‘bookshelf' speakers. About one in a million actually sound best on a bookshelf. We use the term ‘standmounts,' because these speakers, such as the B&Ws (near right) and Pro-Acs (far right) sound best on speaker stands. And don't scrimp. Look for a solid base, which will comfortably hold your speaker – not too small or large.

14. Spikes
When you return home, victoriously carrying your new speakers, you'll find various bits and pieces in the box. For starters, there'll be a pair of speakers – if not, you may have mistakenly bought a microwave – plus, with floorstanders, you'll find a set of spikes. Use them. All towers sound better when steady. If you bought standmount speakers, your new speaker stands should come with spikes. Once again, use them. Wobbly stands completely defeat the purpose.

15. Tasty when well cooked
On the previous two pages we said you should run-in your new hi-fi electronics. Can you guess what we advise you do with new speakers? Yup, run 'em in. Find a dynamic bit of music that tests the frequency range lows, middles and highs –you won't go wrong with Holst's Planets – and leave the speakers cooking over the weekend. A warm-up can help soothe excitable treble, fill-out midrange and tauten bass. It won't make rubbish speakers good, though.

16. Listen to a friend
By now you should know roughly where your speakers are going to sit. Now you have them warmed-up, it's time to decide on an exact position. Grab some help and ask said help to walk round, while talking. Any nonsense will do, but where the nonsense sounds best to you, is most likely where your speakers will sound best, too. Finally, experiment with ‘toe-in' to secure the best stereo imaging.

17. How your room helps or hinders
Before your helper leaves, sit in your listening position and ask your friend to wander around the room with a mirror. Whenever you can see your speakers reflected in the glass, you can assume that is an area where the sound reflects. Whatever that area is made of, it's going to affect the sound. Surfaces such as glass can make your speakers sound hard, while softer surfaces such as wood can encourage a rich sound. Adjust room layout and furnishings to suit your music taste.

18. Something still not quite right?

So you've flung out the soft cushions, shifted glass tables and shaved the cat, but your speakers still don't sound quite tip-top. Don't worry, there's still plenty you can do: removing the grilles usually improves sound, bi-wiring more often than not boosts delivery, plus we haven't yet discussed which actual speaker cables you're using. Experiment with different brands and you'll be shocked at the different presentations. It's also worthwhile paying for decent cable terminations.

19. Keep things level, tight and toasty
Last, but not least, double-check your speakers and speaker stands are actually level. They're built to sound best that way. And, as with your hi-fi rack, occasionally tighten up screws that may have loosened over time. Also remember that your room's temperature affects the sound of your speakers. Too warm and music may sound that way, too cold and tunes may well sound brittle and uncomfortable.

20. Are you sitting comfortably?
You've followed the preceding points but your speakers still don't sound perfect. But, only now do you tell us you tend to listen while sitting on the floor. Or, occasionally, in a high-chair. You have a problem – most speakers sound best when the tweeters sit at about the same height as your ears. You have a few choices: get up off the floor, lazy bones, or buy shorter speakers, or buy shorter speaker stands. Alternatively, get out the high-chair, or buy taller speakers, or taller speaker stands. Simple, really.