Notice: Reader's Survey 2008

[Andrew]

Hi all, the survey is now up. Could as many of you as possible please visit our home page (www.avsa.co.za) and fill it in. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us see if we are heading in the right direction or not.

Thanks,
Andrew

[skinnyfat]

Done

[Viagara]

Same here

[skinnyfat]

I'll be away from home over christmas, so you can deliver those speakers to me in the new year

[Viagara]

I'll be away from home over christmas, so you can deliver those speakers to me in the new year

The other option would be to send them to me and I will get it to Skinny's parents By the way, you coming to CT, Skinny?

[skinnyfat]

I hope to yes. (missus is working right through) Will give you a shout if I do.

[Viagara]

I hope to yes. (missus is working right through) Will give you a shout if I do.

Please do. I will PM you my cell number before I go on leave(21 December)

[oradba69]

Done

[Neil]

Done!  keep up the good work!

[DevillEars]

Completed and submitted!

The AVSA magazine has improved over the years, but the survey structure has, unfortunately, deteriorated a wee bit...

The first question required a rating and no rating scale was provided - thereby making response analysis and correlation tricky.
The overall "flavour" of the 5 questions was more in line with structure than content and gave the impression that the survey was more to obtain "pats on the back" than constructive criticism.

Some suggestions for future survey formats:

a) Where a quantitative response is sought, provide pre-coded "radio buttons" for a defined range of responses with descriptions of each rating level (as used for income level).
b) Where a "ranking" is requested, list the areas to be ranked and provide, for each area, a "drop-down" selector box with the rankings and their descriptions.
c) Add a "Review the Reviewers" ranking question-set (it could help to have a view of how your readers react to the different reviewers and their "styles")
d) Add a "Review the Reviews" by adding a set of sub-questions such as "are they useful?", "would a 'tested with' panel help contextualise the reviews?", etc
e) Given the volatility of the magazine market and the options available, consider a 6-monthly interim survey to allow for mid-course corrections

Apart from that Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the show? 

[joel]

HI Devill

Thanks for the feedback.
As for a review of the reviewers, I'm all for it, but the powers that be may not be.

personally I like to know what readers think of my reviews.

if you liked them thats good, if you didn't then thats also ok.

You can't please everybody all the time.

Would any of you be interested in seeing what the reviewers systems comprise of, and possibly for forum members only what about you review what we have and rate it on the forum.

[Viagara]

Would any of you be interested in seeing what the reviewers systems comprise of, and possibly for forum members only what about you review what we have and rate it on the forum.

I actually asked the question about two years ago as it would give a good indication of what equipment on review is judged against. Deon(I think) quite regularly mentions what he paired for example a CDP with or what speakers he used to review an amplifier.

[RR]

Hi Joel

Some good suggestions from your side.

I think the AVSA magazine forum is exactly for this, if we have a view on a magazine review, lets post it here. We know that you and the other guys from AVSA browse the forum, so that should work.

Wrt your comments on mentioning your review systems, great idea. Also how about some photos of your setups? Well I guess there is always something for review in the systems, but it will still give us a fair indication of your setup, as well as listening room.

Such photos and descriptions will give us die-hards a much better 'picture' of what you are writing in a review (At least from what basis you are starting from)

[DevillEars]

Joel wrote:

Would any of you be interested in seeing what the reviewers systems comprise of

Yes - it would help contextualise the reviewers position on components being evaluated by, in effect, defining the "yardstick against which the item is being measured".

possibly for forum members only what about you review what we have and rate it on the forum

Reviewing a component list? That's a wee bit like the "mail order bride syndrome" - not based on experience at all...

Ideally, for any review, I would appreciate knowing the following:

a) What other components were used in conjunction with the reviewed item to comprise a "system" (electronics and cables)
b) Some idea of the listening room (dimensions, furnishings, listening position, etc)
c) What albums/tracks were used in the review

All would assist greatly in understanding the review and help to assess the comments in the context of the system/room/program material.

One last comment on the reviews over the last year - the proportion of "experience and evaluation" to "advertorial" is a bit skewed, with too many column inches dedicated to the latter.
(Although I do rather appreciate the summarised major specs provided along with the distributor's name and recommended retail pricing)

My R0.02 worth...

[skinnyfat]

I think the AVSA magazine forum is exactly for this, if we have a view on a magazine review, lets post it here.

That is exactly what part of this forum exists for.

Firstly let me welcome you to the AVForums website on behalf of AVForums and AVSA magazine and we trust that you will have a great stay and that you will find this an informative, friendly and co-operative community.

This particular forum is specifically in place for all and any queries, comments, suggestions and discussion related to content in the AVSA magazine. This includes but is not limited to discussion about product reviews, letters and reader queries.

This is posted in the 'Guidelines' sticky in the AVSA forum page. It (this forum) specifically allows interaction between reader and reviewer.

Greg