One of the changes this year is the fact that the EISA Gala and Awards Ceremony, the crowning moment both for awards winners and the participant media outlets, is taking place September 29, this year in Ascot, in the UK, instead of being associated with IFA in Berlin, as it always happened in the past. The choice of doing a ceremony in the UK is obviously related with the fact that the President of EISA, Paul Miller, is the promoter of an Hi-Fi show in Windsor/Ascot, UK.
Another core reason is the fact that the editors of hifi magazines continue to complain that there isn't enough of their types of products at the IFA international trade show (the same thing they complain about CES in Las Vegas), while continuing to ignore new emerging categories of audio products that are unexplainably absent from any of the existing EISA Award categories. For over 40 years EISA evolved as the world's largest independent collaboration of media experts, and offers a unique, global viewpoint of what is intended to be "the consumer electronics market." Time for EISA to evolve if truly the organization is committed to represent "performance and innovation in Consumer Electronics".
The EISA 2023-2024 Awards reference a total of 82 products as the best in their categories, including an overwhelming number of niche categories in hifi (and home theater), while ignoring many exciting categories existing in home audio and personal audio. The EISA Awards are debated and voted upon by groups of specialist judging panels. Key to the success and relevance of the annual EISA Awards lies in the evolution of its categories, but unlike what the intention states, they have not always reflected the changing trends and technologies of the consumer electronics world.
In contrast, the Association itself continues to evolve. In 2018 EISA welcomed new members from India, Japan and Hong Kong/China just as the old EISA acronym (European Imaging and Sound Association) became the Expert Sound and Imaging Association. During 2023 the Association admitted additional members from Portugal and The Netherlands, enlarging EISA’s pool of experience still further.
Some of the product surprises are undoubtedly the Volumio Rivo, consolidating the hardware portfolio from this software company, or the CD player from Norwegian Hegel that is in reality an AKM-based DAC with an integrated CD transport. Also surprising to see SVS receiving an award for Best Value Streaming Amplifier, which at least is one of the most recent products to support DTS Play-Fi, together with the Philips Fidelio range (also awarded this year but in other categories). Perlisten receives two important awards for new versions of the already awarded products and still feels deserved, while Klipsch receives a shared-category award with The Sevens. In general, very surprising to not see any of the best headphones of the year being recognized, with the virtually unknown Fidelio T2 being the sole representative of the true wireless category in 2023-2024. Nothing against Philips, which I am certain as equally surprised as we are.
It's a Process
To win an EISA award all products undergo a comprehensive multi-step judging process. According to the association release, "EISA hosted no fewer than 50 webinars throughout the first and second quarters of 2023, allowing established and emerging brands to share their products and technologies with our expert editorial audience. This, combined with the shipment of products between member countries, allowed our hands-on testing and judging to extend over many months, fueling lengthy and highly informed discussions. EISA’s democratic voting process was reinforced, establishing a consensus of excellence that ultimately determined the winning products."
Paul Miller, President of EISA says, "The collaboration of 58 of the most respected specialist magazines and websites from across the greater European continent, Australia, Japan and the USA brings with it a unique pool of experience that informs each and every EISA Award. Whether consumers are looking to purchase a Smartphone with sophisticated camera technology, a huge TV for a truly immersive cinema experience, or a pair of very high-end floorstanding loudspeakers, the EISA Awards are their unequivocal guide to the cream of today’s entertainment technologies."
The EISA Expert Groups work independently but collaborate under the organization's umbrella. Only one magazine or website from each Expert Group may represent each country. Technical experts from the specialist magazines in each Expert Group produce regular, detailed and objective test reports on Photo, Home Theatre Video, Home Theater Audio, Hi-Fi, In-Car and Mobile Electronics equipment. Nominations are kept strictly confidential.
All products – with the exception of those awarded for Innovation or Design – must have been available for detailed test evaluation by the magazines in each Expert Group. Products are only considered if they have been available for assessment before July 10 by at least five EISA members in the appropriate Expert Group. Awarded products must also be on sale to the general public in at least 10 countries, no later than October 1st in the Award year.
audioXpress and Voice Coil are not EISA members and are not involved directly in the EISA Awards. As we do every year, we like to publish the winning audio products for our readers' benefit and for our own reference.
The EISA Awards 2023-2024
Hi-Fi Expert Group
EISA Standmount Loudspeakers 2023-2024
MoFi SourcePoint 8
EISA Floorstanding Loudspeakers 2023-2024
Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3
EISA Premium Floorstanding Loudspeakers 2023-2024
Perlisten R7t
EISA High-End Loudspeakers 2023-2024
Wilson Audio Alexia V
EISA Wireless Bookshelf Loudspeakers 2023-2024
KEF LSX II
EISA Wireless On-Wall Loudspeakers 2023-2024
System Audio Silverback 1
EISA Wireless Floorstanding Loudspeakers 2023-2024
Dynaudio Focus 50
EISA Headphones 2023-2024
Meze Audio 109 Pro
EISA Streamer 2023-2024
iFi Audio NEO Stream
EISA DAC 2023-2024
Ferrum Audio WANDLA
EISA Digital Player 2023-2024
Volumio Rivo
EISA High-End CD Player 2023-2024
Hegel Viking
EISA Turntable 2023-2024
Thorens TD 204
EISA Vinyl System 2023-2024
Pro-Ject T2 W
EISA Integrated Amplifier 2023-2024
NAD C 3050
EISA Best Value Streaming Amplifier 2023-2024
SVS Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase
EISA Compact Streaming Amplifier 2023-2024
Bluesound Powernode EDGE
EISA Streaming Receiver 2023-2024
Yamaha R-N2000A
EISA High-End Integrated Amplifier 2023-2024
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2
EISA High-End Streaming Amplifier 2023-2024
Hegel H600
EISA High-End Headphone Solution 2023-2024
dCS Lina System
EISA High-End Headphones 2023-2024
Yamaha YH-5000SE
Combined Award with Home Theater Audio Group
EISA Loudspeaker Series 2023-2024
KEF R Series Meta
Klipsch The Sevens
Combined Award with Mobile Devices Expert Group
EISA Premium Wireless Headphones 2023-2024
T+A Solitaire T
EISA Mobile DAC 2023-2024
iFi Audio GO pod
Home Theater Audio Expert Group
EISA Best Buy AV Receiver 2023-2024
Onkyo TX-RZ50
EISA AV Receiver 2023-2024
Primare SPA25
Denon AVC-A1H
EISA Best Buy Soundbar 2023-2024
JBL Bar 300
EISA Soundbar 2023-2024
Loewe klang bar3 mr
EISA Premium Soundbar 2023-2024
Bang Olufsen Beosound Theatre
EISA Soundbar System 2023-2024
Yamaha True X series
EISA Home Theater Power Amplifier 2023-2024
Musical Fidelity M6x 250.7
EISA Home Theater Subwoofer 2023-2024
Perlisten D212s
Mobile Devices Expert Group
EISA Premium Portable Speaker 2023-2024
Bang Olufsen Beosound A5
EISA Best Buy Wireless Headphones 2023-2024
Philips Fidelio L4
EISA In-Ear Headphones 2023-2024
Philips Fidelio T2
EISA Best Buy Portable Speaker 2023-2024
Pure Woodland
In-Car Electronics Expert Group
EISA In-Car Head Unit 2023-2024
Alpine HDS-990 Status
EISA In-Car Amplifier 2023-2024
Ground Zero GZUA 6SQ
EISA In-Car DSP Amplifier 2023-2024
Mosconi Gladen One 8|10 DSP
EISA In-Car Sound Processor 2023-2024
ESX QE812SP
EISA In-Car DSP Software 2023-2024
Audison bit Drive
EISA In-Car Speaker System 2023-2024
Ground Zero GZPC 165.3SQ-ACT
EISA In-Car Subwoofer 2023-2024
Morel Ultimo PowerSlim PS12D
EISA In-Car OEM Premium Audio System 2023-2024
Maserati GranTurismo with Sonus faber High Premium Audio System
EISA In-Car Integration 2023-2024
Helix Compose Platform
EISA Motorcycle Audio Component 2023-2024
Rockford Fosgate HD9813RG-STAGE3
Other Awards in the remaining categories are listed in the EISA website here: www.eisa.eu
