The EISA Awards 2023 recently took the stage to honour the most remarkable innovations in the world of audio and video technology.
With its tradition of recognising excellence in the consumer electronics industry, the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) once again highlighted the finest products that have captivated enthusiasts and professionals alike. This year’s lineup featured an array of impressive contenders, and several products truly stood out for their exceptional performance and cutting-edge features.
1. EISA PREMIUM AV AMPLIFIER 2023-2024
The current state-of-the-art in AV amplifier design, Denon’s AVC-A1H marries 15.4-channel processing to a 15-channel power output and is therefore primed for the most expansive of home theatre systems. The attention to detail reserved for the brand’s ‘A1’ class is in evidence, from the amp’s hefty 11.5kg EI-Type transformer and separate power supply for its DAC stage, to the 32-bit DSP engine and optimised circuit layout. This high-quality engineering, coupled to both Audyssey MultEQ XT and Dirac Live calibration options, results in a reference-level audio performance from movies and music. Denon’s flagship blends energy and scale with breathtaking resolution, detail and clarity. No other multichannel integrated amplifier can match it…
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2. EISA BEST BUY SOUNDBAR 2023-2024
Ready to give a flatscreen TV a serious sonic boost, but from a compact, easy-to-accommodate design, JBL’s Bar 300 punches well above its affordable price point. Its six drivers and onboard amplification dovetail with MultiBeam processing and Dolby Atmos decoding to create a well-balanced, full-range sound with notable effects placement and steering. For this generation JBL has both refined its remote handset and introduced a new app controller, making it simple to adjust the Bar 300’s EQ settings, run its auto-calibration routine, and stream music fuss-free. This soundbar enters a hotly contested market and coolly claims the top spot.
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3. EISA PREMIUM SOUNDBAR 2023-2024
Employing a range of drivers, including a coaxial centre array and dual 165mm woofers, the Beosound Theatre delivers a spacious and well-defined sound with crisp detail and powerful bass, all from a single, gorgeous cabinet. Movie soundmixes are immersive and dramatic, while music listening – either stereo or upscaled to the Dolby Atmos soundfield – benefits from the soundbar’s remarkable midrange presentation. Extensive connectivity includes four HDMI ports and wired/wireless PowerLink for adding additional B&O speakers, while operation is easy via a partnering app that opens the door to streaming music services. A customisable design even allows the Beosound Theatre’s chassis to match TVs of different sizes.
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4. EISA HOME THEATRE DISC PLAYER 2023-2024
For a high-quality AV experience, there is still nothing better than Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, especially when delivered by a premium player. Magnetar’s UDP800 is the star you need to illuminate your home theatre, combining DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray playback with handling of music formats including DVD-A and SACD. Comprehensive user menus and connectivity make this disc-spinner user friendly, while its high-end construction befits the price tag. The UDP800 delivers 4K discs (including Dolby Vision or HDR10+) with pin-sharp detailing and smooth colour gradations via HDMI, but switch to music though its analogue outputs (RCA or XLR) and its performance is equally captivating. The UDP800 is the long-awaited new king of discs.
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5. EISA POWERED STANDMOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS 2023-2024
This powered bookshelf/standmount model takes a design cue from the American brand’s ‘Heritage’ speakers and combines it with a forward-thinking specification – the result is a package notable for its styling, feature set and performance. Tractrix horn-loaded tweeters and 165mm bass/mid units are pushed into action by custom DSP and beefy internal amplification. The Sevens’ sound is bass-rich, largescale and packed with detail, and can be fine-tuned to suit personal taste through Klipsch’s intuitive Connect app. Comprehensive connectivity including HDMI ARC, USB-B, Bluetooth, analogue (inc. MM phono), plus hi-res music playback to 192kHz/24-bit, ensures this is a system that’s ready for anything!
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6. EISA INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER 2023-2024
From the outside the C 3050 pays homage to NAD’s earliest designs with its faithfully executed vintage styling, but in all other respects this is thoroughly modern integrated amp with a do-it-all ethos. Power, rated at 2x100W, comes via Class D amplification, and connectivity includes HDMI eARC, a dedicated MM phono input and more. Plug in NAD’s optional BluOS-D card and the functionality grows to include superior streaming options (including app control and multiroom compatibility), plus Dirac room calibration. And while the forward-thinking technology delivers impressive sound quality, you can feast your eyes on the C 3050’s large VU meters. What’s that about having your cake and eating it?
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7. EISA FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKERS 2023-2024
The impressive bass, treble detail and cohesive soundstage attest to the engineering skill that’s gone into developing the third generation of Bowers & Wilkins’ 700 Series, much of it trickled down from the company’s top-tier 800 D4 models. Nowhere is this more the case than with the 703 S3, a slender tower that gains a tweeter-on-top for the first time, allied to a pair of 165mm Aerofoil bass drivers and a 150mm Continuum cone midrange. This floorstander delivers an engaging and emotional listen and makes B&W’s superior performance accessible to more music lovers. The new Mocha colourway, next to classic white or black options, is also stunning.
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8. EISA COMPACT STREAMING AMPLIFIER 2023-2024
Thanks to its impressively sleek, wall-mountable chassis, the POWERNODE EDGE can be installed practically anywhere – and the compact form factor is complemented by wide-ranging functionality. Controlled via Bluesound’s intuitive BluOS app, this sleek ‘just add speakers’ amplifier can access streaming services, Internet radio and music files from a network or USB storage, while connections including HDMI eARC and two-way Bluetooth add even more to its versatility. Its sound, delivered by onboard amplification and with hi-res audio support, packs a punch. Use the POWERNODE EDGE as a discrete amp in a standalone set-up or combine with other BluOS devices to form a multiroom music system.
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In conclusion, the EISA Awards 2023 showcased a remarkable array of audio and video products that are pushing the boundaries of technology and design.
From cutting-edge projectors to immersive sound systems, each award winner has demonstrated a commitment to excellence that continues to shape the landscape of consumer electronics. As technology evolves and innovation flourishes, these products serve as a testament to the ever-growing potential of audio and visual experiences in our modern world.
