Generally speaking, the "winners" of these polls are there for understandable reasons.  They perform very well, they're easy to use, they don't cause problems, and are well-supported by the devs.  Makes these lists a decent place to start when you're in the market for something new.  
 
If you ever ask for recommendations from forum members, aren't you likely to get a set of answers that resemble these lists anyway?
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

batsbrew
i haven't heard very many finished mastered recordings from anyone of that bunch at gearslutz...
 
those guys talk about gear all the time....
so show us the end product, and say 'this is what i used.'
then i'll pay attention.
 

That right there.

I would never go out and blind buy something based on such a poll.  However seeing the high praise of the fairly inexpensive MJUC gives me reason to at least check it out, I'll certainly check out the the lite-demo version to see how it performs.  
 
The site also says it doesn't use copy-protection nonsense.  Major plus in my book as I like installs + reinstalls to be hassle free.  Look forward to checking it out.  

WELL, I guess what i mean is, they generate their own heat there...
but i don't see a lot of practical examples.
 
when you read thru the lists,
they ALL sound awesome.
 
they cant ALL be awesome....
 
or can they?
 
if someone were to compare the most basic sonitus plugs that come with early versions of sonar.....
how much better are these others?
 
i can't find any side by side comparisons,
only anecdotes.

I agree that polls are nonsense. Are we expected to believe that the people who voted for EQ no.1 fairly evaluated EQ's nos. 2 through 10 before making their decision? People choose their favorite compressor of the compressors they've ended up trying for one reason or another, and that's it. I mean they probably have some vague meaning in that some of those people will have ended up using compressors through reading positive reviews and comments on forums, but there are many other factors at play there. Has compressor A been marketed better tha compressor B, and that's why more people know about it?

Personally I prefer reading detailed reviews with sound examples, buts that's just me.

I've said it before if Sonar would update the gui of the sonitus plugins...there would be many people swear they sound better. (those are pretty good plugins.)
I believe that most of those comps in the list are very good, and a "pro" mixer could get "pro" results with any of them.
What happens in these polls is people vote for what they use. MJUC and Kotelnikov are pretty cheap and probably have many users. (Users = Votes).
I love MJUC and Kotelnikov and about 20 others I have, but they don't compare with the beast that is Pro-C2. (I don't own Pro-C2)
I use the compressors that are fast and simple, because I don't think it matters much either way. If I need to shave off a db or two. No one will know which one I used by listening.
 I do like to see the small independent Devs get some credit for quality work.
 

batsbrew
i usually listen to folks who i know, who actually 'produce' products that pass muster.
 
i haven't heard very many finished mastered recordings from anyone of that bunch at gearslutz, 
so it makes me wonder about the worth of the poll.
 
those guys talk about gear all the time....
so show us the end product, and say 'this is what i used.'
then i'll pay attention.
 

There was a long discussion a few years ago in which Charlie Clouser (formerly of Nine Inch Nails) participated and answered questions. I've always liked his work and was interested because the stuff he did for the SAW franchise and AHS was similar to some things I do.
 
As it turns out, he now uses Logic and the bundled plug-ins, instruments and sampler, and very little else. He does go over the gear and plug-ins he used to use, but says he's been relying on bundled stuff more and more exclusively.
 
So as it turns out, I was already on a similar path.
 
As for the rest of the guys, I can't imagine how they find time to do this stuff if they are to ever accomplish anything and actually learn to use the tools they compare. At some point, one needs to move on and start doing something with those plug-ins...
 
 
 
 

clintmartin
I've said it before if Sonar would update the gui of the sonitus plugins...there would be many people swear they sound better. (those are pretty good plugins.)
 

Me too!

Funny but I still reach for Audio Damage Rough Rider when I need a character compressor. I can squeeze my guitar signal like an MXR DynComp. And you can't beat the price!

 

At some point, one needs to move on and start doing something with those plug-ins...

 
Yikes!  That's me!