AVSA Awards

[KlyvQ]

I am not aware of the rules surrounding the requirements of hosting/running awards. Is there a reason why AVSA does not have annual awards? It would be interesting to have something similar to EISA/WHAT HIFI awards.
Any comments on this?

[---------]

Sounds like a great idea. Perhaps some product/s of the year award could be combined with the Year in Review edition.

[PearlJam]

I would also like to see something like this.  Great idea

[Eclaire]

I think this depends a lot on the reviewing process.  And reading the comments on "AVSA you Suck thread ..." they need to jack up their reviews.

[Andrew]

I think this depends a lot on the reviewing process.  And reading the comments on "AVSA you Suck thread ..." they need to jack up their reviews.

Based on the input of a percentage of comments, and certainly not a majority view? If the majority of our readers felt our reviews were lacking, then we would not have still been going, after having first started the publication in 1988. It's easy for certain individuals to sit on the side-lines and criticise, another thing entirely to actually have to work (successfully) in such a small industry, which is what we have managed to do.

I can sleep very well at night after telling you that the reviews are genuinely the honest opinions of the relevant reviewer, but as the 'you suck' thread shows, it's impossible to satisfy everyone. If we tried, we'd most likely go under: the saying that the truest form of democracy is pure chaos is very true. But the 'you suck' thread does show that we are open to criticism and are not afraid to allow free comment - I challenge everyone here to try that on other forums, and see how long that comment stays up before it is deleted and you are placed under moderation.

I have been with AVSA...about 11, 12 years now, and I have gone through several changes in editorial direction. And each time we did so, which we had to, in order to keep abreast with what was happening in the industry, we had the naysayers telling us we had taken a wrong turn, that we had betrayed our readership, that we were going to lose readers...and yet our readership figures have climbed slowly but steadily over the years.

AVSA is far from perfect, but it is more honest than many here appreciate or understand.

[...]

What has been rather amusing to me over the years is exactly how people sit on the sidelines and throw their CONSTRUCTIVE criticism out there.
It happens in any industry where the passionate enthusiast starts telling the consummate professional in their respective field what they need to do to make things better.
These sideline warriors have no idea about the politics or the operations of said particular industry.
Now AVSA has taken a lot of flack over the years.
My take, I find the reviews honest, yes Deon butters things up, but being a long time reader I appreciate his reviews.
If people feel that AVSA is doing a real k@k job, then buy the overseas publications and get reviews driven by advertisers, suppliers and manufacturers.

And those who feel that AVSA is not on par with it's international counterparts, well what more do you expect for the pittance we give them to have the pleasure of browsing their pages.

[PearlJam]

Let's keep the criticism for the other thread.

Andrew, what is your view regarding the possibility of an awards edition?

[...]

Let's keep the criticism for the other thread.

Andrew, what is your view regarding the possibility of an awards edition?

Yes sir, sorry sir.
Unfortunately the two go hand in hand, if people don't trust the reviews, how the hell do you expect them to take an awards edition serious.

[KlyvQ]

My 2c...

just to touch on the "you suck thread"....  b4 moving on swiftly to the awards thread.
i think the issue lies with what people want for their own benefit, and i use the word own - very cautiously....

from what i can see - the comments are all pointing towards similar issues - where the publications are becoming monotonous...
i feel that people progress, and they forget that there's a generation right behind them, that seeks the knowledge they now have.

i.e.
all the information/reviews they read about back then - which was informative at the time - is now "repetition" to them, so maybe they feel that the magazine is not moving on forward with what they need to read about now - but the mag continues to educate on new technology (which it was doing say 10 years back). I for one used to find Johan P's letters very technical back then as i was in mid high school, and reading back - this is still informative to this date.

From a mag point of view - it is very difficult to balance what the masses out there want, with the space/budget available. Yes the number of subs/over the counter buyers are increasing - whether that is new customers on board, or half jumped shipped as per the "you suck thread" suggests and the increasing numbers are just made up of say 60% of new people - only the guys looking after churn know.
Also, if say - 60% of these (new) people increasing sales are after the basics - then the mag is meeting what the customer is demanding.

I also agree with Analogos - all industries have their politics and issues - NUFF SAID.

So moving along.......... *swiftly*
I think if AVSA decides to have the awards, they will be credible - just judging from what was said first - by the AVSA reviewers regarding SA made components...
i.e.
Steinhart/Valve/Vivid Audio - which was later then confirmed by a few good reviews and awards thereafter.
This for me - confirmed what was already mentioned by the AVSA reviewers....

Yes the mag might not have fancy graphs (like www.audio-ideas.com) that show measurements and a million dollar facility (like what hifi) or musicians reviewing equipment (apart from Justin Beachcroft-Shaw who is always in studio  ) like Stereophile.
But IMO, they reviews are fair, the mag strikes a balance (which will never be perfect), as it's work in progress with the fight to keep up with trends and what people want.

So i would like to see AVSA Awards if and when possible...

for CUT THE BS reviews, on audio reviews - there are a gazillion blogs on audio equipments - where u can say how crappy a piece of equipment is, without advertisers breathing down your port hole.


i'm no audio expert - and appreciate all the help and info i get from people who already have the know hows....

[Andrew]

Let's keep the criticism for the other thread.

Andrew, what is your view regarding the possibility of an awards edition?

Hi PearlJam, I'd have to bounce it off the Powers That Be. In some ways, the Looking Back issue -- about to go to print -- is a sort of 'unofficial' awards ceremony, as each of the reviewers lists his top six pieces of equipment for the year that was, and having it from three different reviewers does, I think, make it quite interesting, as each of them have different tastes and interests in the AV arena. So while it isn't an 'official' award with little gold rosettes and such, it is a listing of the reviewers' favourite equipment for 2010.

[PearlJam]

Hi PearlJam, I'd have to bounce it off the Powers That Be. In some ways, the Looking Back issue -- about to go to print -- is a sort of 'unofficial' awards ceremony, as each of the reviewers lists his top six pieces of equipment for the year that was, and having it from three different reviewers does, I think, make it quite interesting, as each of them have different tastes and interests in the AV arena. So while it isn't an 'official' award with little gold rosettes and such, it is a listing of the reviewers' favourite equipment for 2010.

It makes sense as being an unofficial awards edition as long as it covers the spectrum of equipment.  It is always nice to see what the reviewers deem to be the best in a specific class even if it is subjective.

[Andrew]

It makes sense as being an unofficial awards edition as long as it covers the spectrum of equipment.  It is always nice to see what the reviewers deem to be the best in a specific class even if it is subjective.

It's quite a diverse selection of equipment, especially with regards Justin's choices, which I think add a new dimension to the reviewing process, even if it is a genre that many of us would not necessarily think of at times. It's nice to have a fresh outlook on things.

[Ampdog]

Yes sir, sorry sir.
Unfortunately the two go hand in hand, if people don't trust the reviews, how the hell do you expect them to take an awards edition serious.

A 'sideways' comment: Analogos is correct - if we take the criticisers representing a sizeable percentage of the total readership. How many .... 20, 30, 50?? Or perhaps 500?! Perhaps mercifully that can never be proved, but I still think not a large percentage - the monthly sales amount to many thousands. Hopefully the rest will have interest in annual awards.

[PearlJam]

The way I see it is that even if everyone feels that all the reviews are poristive, etc. They have to choose one product that they enjoyed the most for the year.  That is good enough for me.

[---------]

The way I see it is that even if everyone feels that all the reviews are poristive, etc. They have to choose one product that they enjoyed the most for the year.  That is good enough for me.

"poristive"