With the demise of RMAF and the passing of Richard Beers, AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) has become the preeminent North American Audio Show, and over the 12 years that I have been attending (10 years as a writer covering the show) I have seen it grow expotentially each year, and AXPONA 2026 has exceeded all others in both size and attendance. Ironically, I seem to be able to cover more of the show in less time each year, though in part this is due to the fact that I have become more selective in what I cover, preferring to visit those exhibitors who stand out performance-wise or offer something unique.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank VERA-FI AUDIO LLC, manufacturer of some of the finest audio products and accessories, including the Vanguard Caldera 10 Active Subwoofer of which I have two, and some truly amazing noise suppression and isolation devices, for sponsoring our coverage of AXPONA 2026 in a gesture of goodwill for the audio community at large as they do not even show at AXPONA.

Once again, AXPONA has invited the IASCA to set up a room dedicated to Automotive Sound Systems to draw in a new and younger audience, and this year the space was twice the size of last year, with a host of exhibitors. Unfortunately, as this display is mostly aural, with the products hidden away in automobiles, there really wasn’t much for me to photograph, and when I visited them, they were undergoing a competition, which meant the cars weren’t even open for listening, so I passed on covering that room, and I did for the Marketplace.

Moon Audio

My first stop of the show was the “Ear Gear Experience”, and just inside the door was my good friends at Moon Audio, who were focusing a lot of the efforts on their new fantastic amplifier line, SAROS AUDIO SYSTEMS, with their fully differential (balanced) SAROS AUDIO SYSTEMS EUROPA Balanced Tube Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier ($8,995).

beyerdynamic

 beyerdynamic was once again promoting their wonderful new beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII Premium Tesla Closed-Back Studio Headphones ($699.99) and beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII Premium Tesla Open-Back Studio Headphones ($699.99). And to add a little spice to the presentation, they had a couple of their world-class microphones on display, also.

HIFIMAN

HIFIMAN was once again demonstrating their brand new wireless technology in two new headphones, the HIFIMAN HE1000 WiFi ($2,699, the review for which came out last week) and the HIFIMAN Arya WiFi ($1,449, review pending), for the first time offering wired headphone performance in a wireless headphone an amazing accomplishment that HIFIMAN achieved by building a WiFi music streamer, R2R DAC, and Headphone Amplifier into two of their top-tier headphones while only adding a mere 22 grams to the overall weight, overcoming the severely limited bandwidth that is designed into the Bluetooth format. Of Course, HIFIMAN also had their full line of reference-level dynamic, planar, and electrostatic headphones, DAC Amplifiers, and Headphone Amplifiers on hand for demonstration; unfortunately, they were so busy that I wasn’t able to get any clear photos of their display. One of the coolest setups was the HIFIMAN SHANGRI-LA jr Electrostatic headphone ($8,000) with the statement piece HIFIMAN SHANGRI-LA Amplifier ($50,000)

NOBLE AUDIO

NOBLE FoKus PRESTIGE ENCORE ($699), a beautiful three-way hybrid follow-up to their famous flagship TWS IEM, the FoKus PRESTIGE, which up til now was my favorite TWS IEM despite the fact that the NOBLE FoKus Rex5 ($449) was actually the best sounding. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity for a review in the not-too-distant future. Also on display for your listening pleasure was the NOBLE FoKus Amadeus, the review of which posted recently. Of course, the show wouldn’t be complete without their epic line of wired Universal and Custom IEMs, including the fabulous NOBLE KRONOS ($4,500), the NOBLE Shogun ($3,900), and the gorgeous NOBLE Van Gogh ($699). I was especially pleased to see a pair of NOBLE Viking Prestige ($4,300), which were uniquely two different colors based on what I consider to be the ultimate in IEMs, the NOBLE Viking Ragnar.

Dan Clark Audio

Dan Clark Audio was focused on their exemplary planar magnetic headphones including the pinnacle of planar magnetics whether you prefer the accuracy of closed back or the expansiveness of open-back, the Dan Clark Audio STEALTH Closed-Back Reference Planar Magnetic Headphone ($4,499.99), and the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE Open-Back Reference Planar Magnetic Headphone ($4,499.99), or for those who want reference level sound but don’t have deep pockets their little sisters; the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed-Back Reference Planar Magnetic Headphone ($1,099.99) and the the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO Open-Back Reference Planar Magnetic Headphone ($1,299.99) which offer the same sonic profiles as a much reduced price.

ēcoute

ēcoute was previewing their newest model wireless tube headphone, the ēcoute TH1 ($999, currently only available through Kickstarter), with an improved headband and gimbles over the current model, the ēcoute TH1 ($899), which stands unique in the industry as the only wireless option that offers the unparalleled sound quality of a tube amp.

That concludes Part 1 of my coverage of AXPONA 2026, I would once again like to thank VERA-FI AUDIO LLC for sponsoring this coverage. Stay tuned for part 2.