We can discuss and debate about the sense of awards, not only in audio and not only in the magazine “High Fidelity”. This is good – discussion is needed and is healthy. I am not claiming, that every discussion will lead to a consensus, that the “bigger good” will prevail, I know myself and I know life a little, but exchange of opinions will refresh our attitudes, sometimes even unlock something inside us, and even if in a certain case nothing will change, there is a chance, that in the future, the seed planted inside us will bear fruits.
This is also the case with the Award of the Year in the magazine “High Fidelity”. Introduced in the beginning of the existence of the magazine, in 2004, for years it remained for us the beacon of what interesting happened during the year. This is the reason, that there was no need to change the way it was awarded – always individually, depending on the author of a given review and nothing else.
For all those years we awarded regardless of categories, prices, manufacturers, etc – only the sound and quality of a given product was important. We chose everything that we thought was worth recommending and would reach more of the music lovers having an extra promotion.
This model was initially ideally tailored to the magazine and was accepted by most of the readers, distributors and manufacturers. But in time, with the increase of the number of tests and brands presented on our pages, the amount of awards grew in such a way, that they were no longer prestigious and exceptional. For us the case was still clear – if something is good, then we award it, regardless of the fact, if we have two or twenty products of that kind.

But like I said, discussion is needed, and when it reaches fertile grounds, when it results in something significant and valuable, sooner or later, it will bear fruits. That is the case of our awards.
During last two years more and more often I heard from the distributors and read in the emails from our readers, that there are too many awards, that we award everything and everyone. Statistically this is not true, we awarded about 20-25% of the tested products, but visibly the impression was as stated above.
This year, with an aching heart, we decided to change the way the prizes are awarded – their number was significantly limited: we have one main prize – the Statement Award, fourteen Awards of the Year 2011 and two distinctions for companies for their entirety – this year those distinctions are granted for innovativeness. And a few awards for best recording. This means a decrease of the number of awards by around 2/3. And this means, that we had to make a real rout among the tested products. The methodology of choice, at least in my case (Marek Dyba chose individually), was simple – first I wrote down all the tests that left some trace in my mind. That were about 60 devices, loudspeakers or accessories. Why so much? Well, it is so, that in HF we test only products chosen by us, and not the distributors, and we publish only those articles, that tell about something interesting. Weak products, or those that do not appeal us (for any reason) – are sent back. So there is a double filter in the beginning, allowing us to select the most interesting things.

With all this we have to note, that despite the objectivism we want to have in all our doings, objectivism gained by a discipline in testing, methodology and experience, finally it is a subjective choice, like any other choice. And this is the reason, that the steps taken to eliminate the “surplus” of devices pretending to the prizes were so important. Like I wrote, in the first phase I had 60 points. Then I removed those, that seemed to me too obvious, too easy. Maybe this was a bit controversial, but also very releasing – about 40 points remained, which I could justify in ten different ways. And here the problems started.

Because why I should cut the Soulution players, really innovative and splendid, and leave the cheap Musica DAC? Why not award the fantastic Lavardin IT-15 amplifier, and give the prize to the debuting Hegel? And finally why to award the niche Scheu Analog turntable, leaving the splendid SME without a mention? Etc. There were a lot of such questions and dilemmas. Different elements were decisive, related to price, to the “value” of the products, our commitment to them, their potential and finally an attempt to show something, that will leave a lasting trace in the audio world. And from the almost 200 tested, presented, described products we chose fifteen. We could not minimize this list further.

The heart is bleeding, but we think, that this is what our readers did expect – those from Poland as well as those from abroad (the latter are now almost the half of people visiting www.highfidelity.pl; we have in total over 30000 unique readers each month and about 160000 entries). Less awards means a higher prestige for those, that were assigned, and an even stronger recommendation for them. And in result – an easier choice. Because almost all products were tested until the beginning of November, similar to last year, we sent information to all who received the awards before the Audio Show 2011 – so that they would be able to share this information with the visitors. Foreign manufacturers also received this information directly.
And now I have to tell a few words about the way such events are treated, the attitude to the press, etc. Or actually about the difference between how this is handled in Poland, seemingly an European, mature country, and the rest of the world. From Poland I received three emails, three acknowledgments. THREE! From the world, although not all awards were for foreign companies, I received thirty four emails with congratulations, thanks, remarks, comments. I received those from the manufacturers as well as dealers from all over the world, who also received this information. Only two manufacturers ignored the awards. No comments.

Well – only one thing remains now: I CORDIALLY CONGRATULATE EVERYONE!!! I congratulate all the awarded people, but also those, who were not among those this year – you are doing a great job! I thank all of you personally for your help, engagement, positive attitude and finally for the friendship I have from many of you, not only me, the whole “High Fidelity” team. Thank you!