I do agree that it would be useful and more versatile. I get the feeling that many end up not using it. I will ask about it at the NAMM show.

I agree!

I also agree, strum the damn thing!

@@endoffate5475 I have recordings of heavy strumming. I’ll post them this week.

Yes please. Single string playing always sounds OK, even on the worst puck ups.

I agree, having a little microphone on the high end really sweetens things up nicely.

I don’t see it as rushed at all but like all these things everyone’s guitars and mic placement etc will affect the outcome. I look forward to trying it.

I should be able to get all of the info next week when I try it out at NAMM! LR Baggs have a booth. I can’t wait!

My problem exactly. I've settled on Wavelength Duo cause I needed the stereo output for the mic to pick the body percussion but also to not have it in the monitors, since I don't use IEM's. From what I know only Fishman implements the mono mix/stereo split function in the endpin. If only Cole Clarks had this I would be a total convert.

If you google Lr Baggs HiFi duet the link on their site comes up. I couldn’t find it directly on their site but googling it worked.

Thanks for sharing all that great information, Michael, with your experiences in pickup-world. Boy, we could spend a lifetime digging into this topic, it would seem! I’ve tried quite a variety of pickups and brands over the years as well. Mercy! 😂 Like you, I am currently using the Wavelength Duo and really love the clarity and quality of the dual sources. I’m suuuper grateful to have the ability to process them independently. For my needs, I end up boosting about 6dB at 60 Hz on the mic channel, to counter the high pass filtering they’ve done, to add some low sub-like body percussion. I also carve out some 2-3Khz mid-range on both sources. With gain staging, EQ, compression, IR, panning, and effects, that all happens inside the Axe FX 3. I pan the mic source a touch to the left, and the piezo source slightly to the right , to taste, and it really opens up some nice stereo width. Gosh, just adding a solid impulse response helps smooth out my piezo pickup. I’m very curious to ask, have you ever tried swapping out the under saddle transducer for a bridge plate pick up, like the Pure Mini, JourneyTec, or Black Angel DP235 Piezo? I may experiment with that down the road, though I haven’t found any good documentation on modding the Duo. Here’s hoping the HiFi Duet takes our ears to a delightful galaxy far far away! I can’t wait to give it a shot when it comes out later this year. Blessings, and happy playing, Michael!

@@TroyRickertsen No unfortunately, haven't tried it. But probably won't anyway. I mostly play modern fingerstyle pieces and over the years I have come to the conclusion that I need a multisource system composed of a string sensor and of something microphonic. Every SBT I have tried is neither one nor the other and does not provide enough power/attack/articulation. The sound is very pretty in the studio but as soon as it reaches stage volumes it is a feedback nightmare - and it's mostly the pickup not the mic. I have a K&K Trinity in another guitar and I cannot stress how disappointed I was the first time I plugged it in on stage after I had switched from the LR Baggs Anthem which has its own limits. All of it could be solved if Seymour Duncan or Cole Clark/Baton Rouge would update its pickups with the mono mix/stereo split function. I am sticking with SD for now and will probably try the Hifi Duet alone OR combined with the Wavelength on the second jack - but that would cause the problem of two types of batteries. Ugh.... 😮‍💨

Thanks Scott!

I agree and I am pretty sure this is why Baggs developed the system.

I am excited too and on paper it seems an ideal solution for many. I think the price is justified if it delivers. This is a pro level pickup.

I did review the Trance. It’s good but I don’t think it’s worth it compared to the HiFi. I understand about the mic. I found the Trinity to be way too unstable without using IEM’s. It does sound amazing though (which makes sense as it’s a big condenser mic in the Soundhole). I hope that the HiFi Duet will be the best of both worlds.

@@aaronshortmusic Thank you so much for responding and ALL your great reviews, very much appreciated! Yes, I agree with you about the Trinity, I use an IEM in one ear so I can hear if someone has a request but seems people are always trying to talk into that plugged ear, LOL! I don't need an amp or monitor so it works for me but I do like to keep up on the newest pickup. One day they'll hit the nail on the head, hopefully the Duet will be it! Thanks again!

Great question. I will ask them and let you know when I return!

@@aaronshortmusic Thanks very much.

I don’t know without trying it. It will certainly sound better direct than many systems based on the video. Nothing beats an external mic though as it hears the external sound and the string noise etc.

My thoughts exactly - I have the original Anthem going through Session DI and Strymon Cloudburst for verb.

@@adamstewart247 I’m thinking of getting the strymon reverb plug-in for all my acoustic guitars and vocals etc.

@@adamstewart247 I bet that sounds awesome.

@@Celticsaint777 I'm loving the Cloudburst. I tested it against the BlueSky and much preferred it. I know that the Big Sky has more options.... But I think I really just need one best option which the Cloudburst provides. It sounds amazing. The source guitar is a D-45 too. I've had a sound engineer who hosted major artists say it was the best acoustic signal he's ever had.

Who knows. Once I have it here I will record it myself. I agree that it would be good if Baggs installed every current system into one guitar and posted samples.

I know the virtual preamps in my Apollo Twin can do it. Tape machine plugins will do it. I’m sure there’s a standalone plugin but I haven’t used one as I have the Apollo. Let us know if you find one!

@@aaronshortmusic thank you. I have slate digital tape machine plugin. I’ll try it with that.

I didn’t think the HiFi sounded thin. An undersaddle could certainly add more punch and resist feedback better but I think their aim is to move away from undersaddle pickups as so many acoustic players want a ‘pure saddle’.

I think you will prefer it. I hope to find out the weight and price differences at NAMM.

@@aaronshortmusic I agree. I think weight of the components is always a concern on a lightweight guitar. Otherwise, a purpose built acoustic electric is usually a better solution. Viva la choice!

@@dcallan1 I don’t think it really makes a difference and I don’t think many systems are particularly heavy but I don’t know what the weight of the HiFi Duet is yet.

Fingers crossed! Which system do you use now?

Thanks John!

I have the same. I usually use 75-100% blend.

@@aaronshortmusic I am rarely on stage alone, and often have a sax, lead guitar,(Tele), and full drum kit…. I need the 50-50 to be heard!

I agree!

The links are not yet active on the site but they are searchable on Google. I added a link in the description. Studio recording? For demos yes but I wouldn’t record an album with any pickup.

I would wait until it’s finished. It sounds like they are going to be working on it between now and Summer.

@@aaronshortmusicit's not even available until summer I'll be sure to revisit before I buy.

@@shred5 Yes it’s not finished yet.

I felt that it did.

I agree and I hope it will be more so as I did get feedback with the Lyric in some environments.

I would wait if you can.

Can’t wait!

Agreed!

That could be cool. Some have done it with phantom power but it is another ‘thing’ to have with you. It’s why I don’t love the passive pickups as I always need to have a preamp with me.

No. The HiFi and HiFi Duet are only for steel string at this time.

i commented too early. i was at the beginning of the video when i commented. hopefully the mix blend can get the full mic or at least have a switch or something to engage or disengage the crossover. I have the Lyric in 4 of my martins and while i do really like the Anthem, i wish i could just get the mic. that’s why i ended up going with the lyric and not the anthem.

The HiFi will always handle the low end.

I agree. I will see how it is at NAMM.

Feedback resistance is important but any pickup can feedback without a feedback buster.

I think they will both be good options depending on how you want to use them and where you perform.

@aaronshortmusic I perform in church. And I am standing right beside the PA speakers. I don't want any feedback. I do a lot of strumming. Which would you recommend?

@@ricmel8008 You can’t go wrong with the Anthem right now. I would install the SL version.

@aaronshortmusic ty I just bought a 20th anniversary, Martin X.

They said they are still tweaking it. It will not release until Summer 2024.

@@aaronshortmusic Really? I thought it would be on this namm show.

@@bung8791 It’s at NAMM but it’s a preview. It will ship in Summer 2024.

Briefly and in one guitar yes. I have some recordings that I will post soon.

@@aaronshortmusic That’s awesome. I think on lrbaggs hifi the middle button between volume and mix is “phase”. Or battery check?

@@lukassobota6796 Battery check with a single LED.

Absolutely! LOL!

It’s a good system but it’s definitely proprietary.

What makes you say that?

@@aaronshortmusic i dunno, it seems that when he digs in, it gets a lil ice picky but i could be wrong.

@@endoffate5475 Wait for more recordings. Also the audio is not processed. Most people will want to run the pickup into some kind of DI.

@@aaronshortmusic I will, im looking for something to record acoustic but i dont want to use a mic in front of me.. I want to record videos of me playing and singing at the same time but having 2 mics recording messes my playing. If this new hi fi sounds good, ill get it. (Ive tried many pickups and i still cant find anything that sounds decent.)

@@endoffate5475 I have some recordings I’ll be posting.

I think the distance of the mic is the main cuprit. The closer you get the more bass you get and it also looks like it is pointing away from the soundhole. I don’t think it’s a bad thing but I do think that it’s why the pickup sounds so much fuller in comparison.

@@aaronshortmusic I agree. The mic placement looks to be far and also more toward the soundhole/bridge. I usually place a mic closer and pointed at the 12th fret, angled toward the body. What kind of guitar was that?

@@gair1944 Looks like a Blueridge. It would be interesting to hear it in your D-18!

Couldn't quite read the headstock make of the guitar. It did sound very nice, clean and warm. I would like verification on the brand of guitar. @@aaronshortmusic

@@doug9263 It’s a Blueridge. I’m not a fan of the headstock but at least it’s easy to identify.

I won’t compare them side by side but you will be able to play back the recordings from the reviews of those other systems. I have a very good idea of the differences already but I will wait for them to finish it as they said they are still tweaking the voicing.

@@aaronshortmusic Appreciate the great work. You're channel is the GOAT for acoustic pickups

@@adamstewart247 Means a lot thank you.

I wouldn’t say it’s rushed. I think they did a great job but I am withholding judgement until I try it myself.

$100 more than Anthem. Good products are worth the extra money in my experience

@@aaronshortmusic Dose it work for classical guitar ?

I don’t think so! The jig they provide makes it quite easy to install though.

Some people do not want the body resonance! (I do). The Anthem will not go anywhere as it is one of their best selling systems and the Element will still give more feedback rejection than the HiFi in my experience. I have some news on the Anthem coming soon.

​@@aaronshortmusic 🤔🤔

I think it can but in a different way. The CC and Maton systems are very dynamic and resist feedback but they still don’t sound completely natural with IEM’s. I think the HiFi Duet has the potential to sound more natural direct.

It’s a reaction. You clearly don’t understand.

I understand 'reacting' to the video. But as a listener I want to hear the differences in the pickups, as well as your comments. I want to be able to make an informed decision for myself and the way I play. Not complaining about your comments, just that you chopped up the experience of hearing the guitar.@@aaronshortmusic

@@edwardbrown4455 Fair enough. I can’t please everyone. I did add a link as well so you could watch the original video first.

I’m reacting to the video. If you don’t want to hear my thoughts then go watch the original video.

I, for one, highly value Aaron‘s thoughts on this - more so than the gushy marketing platitudes or even the fancy playing. His channel offers a wealth of valuable insight and info. But to each his own…