AXPONA 2016 Show Report -- Audio Expo North America

   AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) returned to the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont, IL, for their 2016 event held from April 15th through 17th. Enjoy the Music.com's AXPONA 2016 show report offers music lovers, audiophiles, and musicians details from this three day jam-packed event filled with incredible sounds, technology, presentations, design, and the very latest products within the industry. AXPONA seeks to define the high-end consumer audio shows within the United States of America and Enjoy the Music.com once again brings you our exclusive AXPONA 2016 show report. Now in its seventh year, AXPONA offers something for everyone – from the novice music lover to the seasoned audio expert looking to enhance their sound with the latest technology. In addition to a series of special events, live performances and educational presentations, music lovers had the opportunity to experience the very best in sound in more than 125 listening rooms. AXPONA attendees enjoyed comparing superbly designed, high performance systems and components from some of the world's most prestigious manufacturers. In all, more than 400 manufacturers, retailers and brands gathered at AXPONA 2016.

AXPONA 2016 Show Report

VAC Tube Amplifiers, Von Schweikert Speakers, MSB DAC & MasterBuilt Audio Cables

Scaena Iso-Linear Array Large Floorstanding Speakers

Triangle Art, ModWright, Eggleston Works, Skogrand, And Massif Audio Design

Audio By Van Alstine, Salk Signature Sound And OPPO

ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Monitor Speakers Designed By Andrew Jones

Cavalli Audio, Chad Kassem, Sota, Expressimo, And McIntosh

AURALiC ALTAIR Streaming DAC And Network Audio Player

Merrill Audio, Reference 3a, EMM Labs, Nordost And Stillpoints

Gershman Acoustics, Lamm, Oracle And Morrow Audio

Nordost, Pass Labs, Sonus Faber, Kubala*Sosna And AMG

Daedalus Audio DiD And ModWright Tryst Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier

Technics Grand Class SL-1200GAE Direct Drive Turntable

Well Audio And Danacables

Channel D Pure Music, Pure Vinyl, Seta L, Piccola Mk2, Plus Lynx Hilo And Music Hall MMF 9.3

Wilson Audio Alexia Speakers And Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression Monoblock Amplifiers

Emotiva DC-1 DAC, SP-1 Pre, PA-1 Amp And Airmotiv B1 Speakers

KEF Blade Two, Ultimate 1 Bookshelf, And Muo Bluetooth Speaker

GIK Acoustics 4A Alpha Panels And Tri-Trap Corner Bass Traps

Kimber Kable AXIOS High-End Audio Headphone Cables 

Etymotic Research Releases Their ER4XR And ER4SR IEM

Friday Quickies
AXPONA 2016 Friday Show Report

Saturday Quickies
AXPONA 2016 Saturday Show Report

Ear Gear Expo 2016

AXPONA 2016 Ear Gear Expo Show Report
Show Report By Dave Hanson

AXPONA 2016 Press Center -- High-End Audio's Official Press Center

Enjoy the Music.com, will be celebrating our seventh consecutive year bringing you our exclusive AXPONA show coverage! We live streamed during AXPONA 2015 and AXPONA 2014 and look forward to bringing you our AXPONA 2016 show report. We deliver you the latest information from AXPONA and will be offering high-end audio's official Press Center for AXPONA 2016! Of course to fully experience all the great gear at AXPONA 2016, and hear your music though millions of dollars of high-end audio equipment, you needed to be there in person.

What's New
New this year, AXPONA will unveil The Manufacturers Showcase, which will showcase a museum-like display of the newest products and innovations from high-end audio manufacturers. Also new this year is a Musician's Gear Expo. This new area will bring music creation, instruments, and the latest gear in the industry direct to AXPONA 2016. Guests will have the opportunity to try the latest guitars, basses and other accessories in demonstration rooms where they will have hands-on access to test and compare equipment. Manufacturer representatives will be available to answer questions and meet one on one.

AXPONA will once again offer pavilion areas with the high-end equipment and features that attendees have come to expect. At The Marketplace area guests will find a vast array of turntables, vinyl, SACDS, musical instruments, cables, accessories, racks and stands, turntables, tonearms, etc. And, at the Ear Gear Expo, a variety of the latest headphones and associated equipment in the growing world of mobile and high end personal listening, will be showcased.

Live Blues Music Performances
AXPONA 2016, operated by the professionals at JD Events, will have live music events during their show. On Friday April 15 from 12pm to 3pm will be WDCB Jazz Showcase with Jim Ryan and from 3:15pm to 6pm will be Roy McGrath Duo. On Saturday April 16 from 8pm to 10pm will be Chicago Blues Night sponsored by Acoustic Sounds. The Blues are back at AXPONA with an exciting concert line up with up-and-coming artist Noah Wotherspoon followed by headliner Chicago Blues legend Lurrie Bell! The Noah Wotherspoon Band has been immersed in the blues and mesmerizes audiences with his soulful guitar playing since he was a teenager. The band, which includes Rob Thaxton on bass and Brian Aylor on drums, formed in 2009. In 2015, Wotherspoon received the Best Guitarist Award at the International Blues Challenge and the band placed 2nd in the finals. Since the competition, they have been playing festivals and venues around the country. This year also saw the release of the band's debut studio album entitled "Mystic Mud", which was selected by the Cincy Blues Society as the Best Self-Produced CD for entry into the 2016 IBC's. The release was also presented a "Jimi Award" for Best Blues/Rock Album of the Year by Blues411. Lurrie Bell's Chicago Blues Band if fronted by none other than Lurrie, who is the son of famed blues harmonica player Carey Bell. Lurrie Bell picked up his father's guitar at age of five and taught himself to play. He grew up with many of the Chicago blues legends around him including Eddie Taylor, Big Walter Horton, Eddie C. Campbell, Eddie Clearwater, Lovie Lee, Sunnyland Slim, Jimmy Dawkins and many more were frequent visitors to his house. They all helped to shape and school him in the blues including his father's long-time employer Muddy Waters.

Ticket Information
Open to the public, AXPONA offers a variety of ticket options for attendees. Beginning February 1 through April 14, 2016, ticket prices will be:

One day pass $25
Two day pass $40
Three day pass $50
VIP pass $125
Industry pass $50
Student pass $5

The VIP Experience Package is the ultimate AXPONA experience, and includes VIP Check-in, a special VIP badge, scheduled semi-private audition appointments in Listening Rooms, and access to the VIP Lounge. VIP passes are available until January 31, 2015 for $80. Beginning February 1, VIP passes are available for $125. A limited amount of VIP passes will be available.

All general admission tickets include access to the exhibits including listening rooms, the Marketplace, Ear Gear Expo (EGX), as well as educational seminars, live music, special events.  AXPONA will be open Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. To purchase tickets or for more information about the event, please visit AXPONA's website or call (203) 371-6322.

Top 10 Things To Do At AXPONA
1.Manufacturer's Showcase
This museum-like display of the newest products and innovations from more than 18 manufacturers and dealers will display nearly 100 products. Exhibitors include Aesthetix, AMG, Artisan Fidelity, Audio Alchemy, Audeze, AVM, Channel D, Clearaudio, Convergent Audio Technology, DS Audio, Blue Smoke Entertainment Systems, ELAC, Emotiva, GAUDER AKUSTIK, Kharma, Kyomi Audio, Legacy Audio, Luxman, Merrill Audio, Musical Surroundings, Nola Speakers, Peachtree Audio, Playback Designs, Pro Audio, Questyle Audio, Sbooster, Sonist Audio, STEALTH Audio Cables, TEAC and van den Hul. The Showcase is open exlusively to VIP and Media and Friday, and to all ticket holders Saturday and Sunday.

2. Live Evening Concerts 
AXPONA attendees can stay after hours for live evening concerts including an intriguing and soulful Friday (8-9:30 pm) performance by jazz organist Akiko Tsuruga, presented by Technics. Being of Japanese origin, this talented musician began playing the organ at the age of three. She launched her career in jazz immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music. While living in Osaka, she had opportunities to play with world-renowned jazz musicians from the United States.

On Saturday, April 16, 8-10 pm, blues lovers will enjoy an exciting concert line-up presented by Acoustic Sounds. Up-and-coming artist Noah Wotherspoon will start the show. Fans are in for a treat when headliner Chicago Blues Legend Lurrie Bell joins Wotherspoon on stage for a performance. Born in 1958, the son of famed blues harmonica player Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell picked up his father's guitar at age of five and taught himself to play. He also grew up with many Chicago blues legends around him. 

Wotherspoon has been immersed in the blues and mesmerizing audiences with his soulful guitar playing since he was a teenager. In 2015, Wotherspoon received the Best Guitarist Award at the International Blues Challenge and the band placed 2nd in the finals. 

3. Legends of High End Audio Panel, Saturday, April 16, 4-5pm
Four of high-end audio's greatest designers and company founders including Dan D'Agostino of Krell and Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, Kevin Hayes of Valve Amplification Company, Paul McGowan of PS Audio and Frank Van Alstin of Audio by Van Alstine will talk about how they started their companies, invented new technologies, and created their iconic products. This panel is a rare gathering of the industry's most legendary figures.

4. Daytime Acoustic Performances in the Music Lounge
Take a break from the listening rooms and reproduced sound and treat your ears to some acoustic performances. On Friday, WDCB presents pianist Jim Ryan and the Roy McGrath Duo. Saturday and Sunday enjoy classical pianists and Jazz groups throughout the day from local Chicago Universities.

5. Listening Rooms 
See and touch superbly designed, high-performance systems in over 110 dedicated listening rooms crafted by the best manufacturers in the business. Experience sound like never before in room settings, perfect to inspire sound systems for your media room, man cave or home office!

6. Ear Gear Expo
An expo dedicated entirely to the art of the headphone. See the world's top brands reveal their latest and greatest gear from top manufacturers including Sennheiser, Shure, Onkyo, Cleer, Astell & Kern.

7. Marketplace 
Discover and shop thousands of parts, components, gear, accessories, vinyl and turntables more all in one place from manufacturers like Acoustic Sounds, Elusive Disc, Morrow Audio, Music Direct, Nordost, and PS Audio.

8. Prudence Farrow Bruns Seminar & Book Signing
Join Prudence Farrow Bruns of "Dear Prudence" fame Saturday, 2:30pm to 3:30pm as she takes you through her turbulent teenage years which led her to meditation and the teachings of the Maharishi in India. During that time her path crossed with the Beatles, because like so many from this era, they were seeking new spiritual guidance and exploring meditation. Learn about Prudence's journey, explore how the quest for spirituality shaped the Sixties and hear the story behind the famous song "Dear Prudence".

9. Tape: The Format of the Future
Tape is having a renaissance. Attend the seminar on Friday at 3:15pm where pros will discuss how easy it can be to have a studio quality tape machine playing back Master tape copies in your Living room.

Enjoy the Music.com's Previous AXPONA Show Reports

Enjoy the Music.com's AXPONA 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 coverage.