What is now the largest hifi and high end audio show in North America, will take place April 12-14 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL (Chicago area). Anticipating by a month the Munich show in Europe, AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) is where many of the US brands reveal their latest and greatest gear.
AXPONA is the place where manufacturers, distributors and dealers unveil their latest offerings, in a wide variety of price points and mediums. AXPONA 2024 will have the largest number of listening rooms, an expanded Expo Hall featuring the ever-popular Record Fair and Master Class Theater, a dedicated headphone area (Ear Gear Experience), seminars, Live Music nightly, and much more. All at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center.
Already the most important hifi show in North American before the pandemic, AXPONA returned in full force immediately after, and reinforced its international dimension in 2023 by attracting a growing number of technology and suppliers, which is a clear sign that the show is now firmly on the industry's calendar. Promoted by the experienced and dedicated JD Events the show has remained in its mid April time slot, which is an important sign of consistency from event promoters, always rewarded by both exhibitors and attendees.
"We’re excited to be back in the Chicagoland area for the 2024 AXPONA show. Each year, the quality of the show and new product debuts keep getting better and better. Whether you’re a serious audiophile, a newcomer to high-end audio or simply a music lover, you’ll find everything you need to immerse yourself in your favorite sounds," says Liz Smith, AXPONA’s Show Director.
The following is a sampling of first-time exhibitors that will be at AXPONA 2024, representing a number of product categories including Speakers, Cables, Headphones, Vinyl, and more: Altitude Audio, Austin Audio Works, Balanced Audio Technology, BCW Suppliers, Belleson, Brodmann Acoustics by Arceau Arts, Concierge Audio, DeVore Fidelity, Diptyque, Falcon Acoustics, For the Record Vinyl, Harmonia Distribution, Heaven 11 Audio, Jamie Audio, Johnny G Collectibles, MACO, Metaxas & Sins, Morel, Myriad Magnetic, Notable Audio, Perfect8 Technologies, Paducah Home Theater, PictureSleeve45s, Record Wonderland, REVO US, Rhythm Distribution, RTM Industries, Sierra Sound, Sparkos Labs, Starke Sound, Steinway Lyngdorf, Stereo Integrity, Supatrac, Tom Christiansen Audio, Tone Imports, Totem Acoustic, and Vinyl Sound USA.
For this 13th edition of AXPONA the promoters have also decided to reinforce of the show's most popular features, which are live concerts nightly. On Friday, April 12 at 8pm, Chicago's very own Bobby Broom, a celebrated jazz guitarist and performer will take the stage. Broom was born in Harlem, NY and raised on New York City’s Upper West Side where he began studying the guitar at age 12. Today, Broom calls Chicago home and teaches Chicago high school students for the Ravinia Festival Organization’s community outreach Jazz Scholar Program.
The Secret Sisters, a celebrated singing duo and real-life sisters, will close out AXPONA’s live concerts on Saturday, April 13 at 8pm. The Alabama-based country-folk pair, featuring the talents of siblings Lydia and Laura Rogers, emerged in 2010 with a sound that combines effortless harmonies, sharp songwriting, and a shared love of country music’s rich history. The Secret Sisters' fifth studio album, Mind, Man, Medicine will be released on March 29, 2024.
"Our attendees, exhibitors, and partners always look forward to AXPONA's live concerts and we try to mix it up each year, bringing in a diverse group of performers," says Liz Smith, AXPONA. "We are excited to welcome Bobby who has an incredible following both locally and nationally, and Lydia and Laura who are releasing a new album right before AXPONA 2024!"
The Ear Gear Experience will be located in one of the convention center's large ballrooms to enhance the listening experience for personal audio. Everything from open-back, closed-back, in-ear headphones and accessories, cables and players that go into a personal audio rig will be on display at the Ear Gear Experience. Leading brands and manufacturers such as Campfire Audio, Meze Audio, Audeze, Austin Audio Works, and more will debut new products and have dedicated booths.
AXPONA will also feature a full Seminar schedule with guest speakers including industry experts, media personalities and manufacturers on the latest audio themes and trends. This year’s must-attend Seminars including a session on Speaker Design with Andrew Jones (MoFi Electronics), Jeff Joseph (Joseph Audio), Matthew Webster (YG Acoustics), and David Fowler (Stratton Acoustics). Full schedule of concerts and seminars will be updated on the AXPONA website, www.axpona.com.
Returning exhibitors include Bowers & Wilkins, DALI, Estelon, Focal Naim North America, Geshelli Labs, Legacy Audio, Luxman, Magico, Quintessence Audio, Sennheiser, SOTA, Stenheim, Vinnie Rossi, and YG Acoustics, among others.
Vance Dickason to Promote the 8th Edition of The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook at AXPONA
One of the oldest specialty audio stores in Chicago, IL, Saturday Audio, has announced that Vance Dickason will be appearing at a special event at this year's AXPONA. The event will take place both Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, from 4pm to 5pm outside the Innovation and Inspiration Rooms at AXPONA. Vance Dickason will be at the show to chat about loudspeaker design and sign copies of the new 8th Edition of the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook, which is widely regarded as the loudspeaker engineering "bible." Copies will be available for purchase.
The Schaumburg Convention Center offers excellent facilities for dealers, distributors and manufacturers to have business meetings, excellent meals and network. Attendees are encouraged to experience listening rooms by listening and comparing the superbly designed, high performance systems and components from some of the world’s most prestigious manufacturers.
Show Hours:
Friday, April 12, 2024: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday, April 13, 2024: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 14, 2024: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
AXPONA (Audio Expo North America)
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center
1551 N Thoreau Dr, Schaumburg, IL, 60173
www.jdevents.com
www.axpona.com
