We will not be able to make it out to AXPONA this year, however still put together a little show preview so you know what to expect.
Event Info
SHOW HOURS:
Friday, April 10, 2026: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday, April 11, 2026: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 12, 2026: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
LOCATION:
Renaissance Schaumburg
Hotel & Convention Center
1551 N Thoreau Dr, Schaumburg, IL, 60173
Tickets:
Hotels:
Chicago Marriott Schaumburg
50 N Martingale Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173
AXPONA Rate: From $159+ a night
- King Guest Rooms
- Rate Valid 3 days prior/3 days post
- Complimentary Internet in guestrooms
- Complimentary Access to Hotel Health Club
- Complimentary Parking
- Complimentary Hotel Shuttle Service The Renaissance (see front desk)
Reserve by calling: (847) 240-0100
To make a reservation online: Click Here
Don’t forget to mention AXPONA 2026!
AXPONA Rate Expires: April 3, 2026
Courtyard Chicago Schaumburg/Woodfield Mall
1311 American Lane Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
AXPONA Rate Expired
- Shuttle to/from the Renaissance (see front desk to arrange upon arrival
- Complimentary breakfast
Reserve by calling: (847) 619-8100
To make a reservation online: Click Here
Residence Inn Chicago Schaumburg/Woodfield Mall
1610 McConnor Parkway Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
AXPONA Rate Expired
- Shuttle to/From the Renaissance (see front desk to arrange upon arrival
- Complimentary breakfast
Reserve by calling: (847) 517-9200
To make a reservation online: Click Here
Floor Plans
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 Chicago AXPONA 2026The Symphony of Pure EngineeringGrandinote invited you to experience the zenith of Italian high-fidelity audio at AXPONA 2026. Join us from April 10th to 12th for a showcase of sonic purity and craftsmanship. |
| A Sound PartnershipIn collaboration with our US distributor, EffortlessHiFi.com, we are thrilled to bring the Grandinote philosophy to the heart of the American Hi-Fi community. Visit Room 1118 to discover how we redefine the boundaries of audio amplification.Find us in Room 1118 |
 SoloThe legendary Hero integrated amplifier, delivering an unparalleled sense of presence and dynamics. Class A 60W all in one solution. Mach8 EvoluzioneExperience the pinnacle of acoustic evolution with speakers designed to disappear, leaving only the music. No crossover, zero reactive components, full range, pure carbon fiber and aluminum. |
Perfect ConductivityA masterclass in audio requires the finest connections. All live demonstrations at AXPONA will feature premium cabling provided by our partners at KimberKable, ensuring every note is delivered with absolute fidelity. |
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| New: Duet15 Coax10 Debuts at AXPONA with Special Offerings |
| We’re pleased to announce that our Coax10 driver is now available as an option for the Duet15, and this new model will make its debut at AXPONA 2026. |
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About the New Duet15 Coax10Introduced five years ago for the Trio15 and Quintet15, the Coax10 driver—highly praised by customers and reviewers since then—now brings its distinctive musical and sonic character to the Duet15.Its 10″ mid driver and our 15″ woofer both feature light paper cones with a similar sonic signature, allowing them to blend seamlessly while maintaining a natural, organic, and highly musical presentation.The smooth-sounding 1.4″ polymer horn tweeter, mounted on the axis of the mid driver in a coaxial design, is a perfect, field-proven match for the larger drivers. It is the same tweeter used in our widely praised Horn1 compression driver.Together with a simple three-way, EQ-free, first-order crossover, this design pushes the performance of the Duet15 to the sonic edge, yet without crossing that fine line into an analytical presentation. It preserves an organic, emotionally engaging listening experience, with refined resolution and clarity, remaining entirely fatigue-free even during long sessions at any volume.It brings to the Duet15 the same defining qualities found in our Trio15 and Quintet15 Coax10 models. |
| AXPONA 2026One Show, Three Rooms, Three Duet15s The Duet15 will be playing at AXPONA 2026 across three rooms:PureAudioProject in Room #1604, featuring the Coax10 in Pearl White (center); LAiV Audio in Room #452, featuring the Voxativ AC-1.6 in German Oak Smoked White Oil (left); and Western HiFi in Room #628, featuring the Voxativ AC-PiFe in Natural Bamboo (right).To mark the occasion, we present two AXPONA offerings: AXPONA Attendee Offering The three Duet15s playing at AXPONA are now available to order at 25% savings, for collection at the conclusion of the show. To order one of the Duet15s playing at the show, please contact us by email at info@pureaudioproject.com, or by phone or text at (201) 632 3906. AXPONA Online OfferingA 15% saving on Duet15 Coax10 orders during the AXPONA show, available via coupon valid from now through the AXPONA weekend.Click the “Configuration and Purchasing Options” button on the Duet15 product page. Configure your Duet15 Coax10, and use the coupon d15c10onlineaxpona15% at checkout. See you at AXPONA 2026 |
| Hear the Athena DAC at Axpona in Room 418 |
| “As a die-hard vinyl lover, this is the DAC I would want to own,” says George Counnas, owner and chief design engineer for Zesto Audio. |
| “The Best of Both Worlds.”The Athena DAC has fused innovative digital technology with the new Rohm chip and our award-winning tube analog circuits, creating one of the most musical DACs on the market today. |
| “I wanted to hear the difference in the files.” The Athena is designed to be Bit Perfect. It’s Native with no Up-Sampling. I wanted the DAC to maintain the original integrity of the audio signal, ensuring a true-to-source experience. I wanted the widest range of formats: 4 DSD Sample Rates: X1 (64), X2 (128), X4 (256), and *X8 (512) 3 Bit Rates: 16, 24, and *32 8 PCM Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, and 384 (*X8, both the X2 and X4 DSD LEDs will illuminate. A 32-bit will illuminate the 24-bit LED) Read Full Review of the Athena DAC |
| I’d like to personally invite you to hear the New Athena DAC at Axpona in Room 418.Featuring the Synergy of a full Zesto Audio Tube System, which includes:Leto Ultra II Line AmpAndros Deluxe II PhonostageEros 500 Select Monoblock, with our extraordinary industry partners:YG Acoustics Sonja 3.2 SpeakersCardas Audio Clear Beyond Cables, Stillpoints Racks, Aperture Acoustics, and Isolation FeetDr.Feickert Analogue Turntable and Tri-Planar Tone Arm |
| Happy listening,George and Carolyn Counnas |
| iFi Audio Showcases Flagship Portable and Desktop Systems at AXPONA 2026Chicago, IL, April 6, 2026— iFi Audio, a leader in high-performance audio technology, will present its latest portable, desktop, and reference-level audio solutions at AXPONA 2026, taking place April 10–12 at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Chicago. Exhibiting at Booth 8102 in the Ear Gear Experience Hall, iFi will showcase a curated lineup of its most advanced DACs, headphone amplifiers, and wireless solutions, alongside SilentPower’s suite of power conditioning and signal optimization products.AXPONA attendees will have the opportunity to experience iFi Audio’s newest innovations firsthand, with dedicated listening stations designed to highlight improvements in clarity, power delivery, and musicality across both portable and home listening environments.iDSD PhantomLeading the showcase is the iDSD Phantom, iFi’s flagship DAC/headphone amp, streamer, and preamp engineered for uncompromising performance and precision. Also featured is the NEO iDSD 3, a versatile desktop DAC/amp designed for modern hi-fi systems, and the iDSD Valkyrie, a powerful portable solution that brings reference-grade performance to on-the-go listening.GO Link 2Expanding its portable lineup, iFi will present the GO Link 2, an ultra-compact DAC designed to dramatically improve everyday listening experiences, and the GO Pod Max, a true wireless adapter system that enables high-fidelity performance from in-ear monitors without sacrificing convenience.SupaNovaComplementing iFi’s core audio lineup, SilentPower will demonstrate a full range of power and signal optimization solutions designed to eliminate noise and enhance system performance. Products on display include the SupaNova and SupaQuasar power cables, GND Defender and DC Blocker for eliminating ground loop and DC-related interference, as well as digital signal enhancement tools such as iDefender+, iSilencer+, Pulsar USB, LAN iSilencer+, OMNI LAN, and OMNI USB.Together, the iFi Audio and SilentPower ecosystems offer a comprehensive approach to high-performance audio, addressing every stage of the signal chain, from source to power delivery. Event Details:Event: AXPONA 2026 Location: Schaumburg Convention Center, Chicago, IL Dates & Hours:Friday, April 10, 2026: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSaturday, April 11, 2026: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday, April 12, 2026: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Booth: iFi Audio Booth 8102 – Ear Gear Experience Hall. Members of the media are invited to visit the booth for product demonstrations, listening sessions, and meetings with the iFi Audio team. For more information on iFi Audio and Silent Power solutions, please visit: www.ifi-audio.com |
| HEAR ORPHEUS LAB AND PEAK CONSULT AT AXPONA |
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| Orpheus Lab – A New Benchmark in High-End Amplifier Design Orpheus Lab electronics redefine reference-level performance through a unique fusion of advanced MOSFET and bipolar circuit architecture, delivering both harmonic richness and exceptional transient precision. Engineered in Switzerland with a singular focus on musical realism, Orpheus Lab removes the barriers between recording and listener—revealing music with extraordinary texture, weight, and spatial presence. The result is a sound that is at once emotionally compelling and technically uncompromised. Unlike conventional high-end designs that prioritize either analytical control or tonal warmth, Orpheus Lab achieves both. Its hybrid topology delivers the density and natural flow of music alongside the speed, grip, and control required for demanding loudspeakers and complex musical passages.HEAR ORPHEUS LAB AND PEAK CONSULT AT AXPONA ROOM 672 |
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| Critical Acclaim “It seeks truth. This authenticity is truly captivating, as the Orpheus explores a heightened realism in timbre delineation, with an ideally balanced tonal equilibrium, neither too dark not too bright: sheer transparency.”BRUNO CASTELLUZZO, HAUTE FIDELITY, FEBRYARY 2025 “The Absolute Integrated offers a crystal clear, refined, and wonderfully nuanced naturally voiced reproduction that rang out in Barn breaking down the emotional barriers between live and recording. A stand out integrated in a very crowded field.”MICHAEL LAVORGNA, TWITTERING MACHINES, FAVORITE AMPLIFIERS AWARD, JANUARY 2026 “Its sense of texture, palpability, and harmonic density is far about the norm in this segment, resulting in musical reproduction that feels alive, organic, and true to the original performance. I was completely won over by its musical qualities.”JOAO ZEFERINO, AUDIO CINEMA EM CASA, APRIL 2025 |
| April 10 – 12Schaumburg Convention Center — Chicago, ILFriday 10:00AM – 6:00PMSaturday 10:00AM – 6:00PMSunday 10:00AM – 4:00PM |
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| Join Volti Audio in room 588, where we’ll be showcasing the Lucera speakers all weekend. The Lucera offers a perfect blend of balance and dynamics and is often considered the sweet spot of our lineup. Don’t miss out on experiencing one of the best-sounding rooms at the show. Feel free to make song requests, and we’ll play them at your preferred volume. Here’s our equipment list: |
AXPONA 2026Room 588 Equipment List Featuring Our Wonderful Lucera Speaker Three-way, hybrid horn-bass reflex with a 15″ woofer, midrange horn with 2″ throat, a 2″ midrange driver (or if we use the Klipsch way of describing mid driver size, a 4″ midrange driver), and 1″ horn tweeter. 99db sensitivity, power handling up to 100 watts. Finished in Etimoe (eee-tim-oh-a) with clear lacquer. $12,900/prhttps://voltiaudio.com/ Source:WiiM Ultra with Teddy Pardo Audio external power supply, configured in bit-perfect mode as a dedicated music server, $945 –https://teddypardo.com/ DAC:Mojo Audio Mystique Z, $11,000 – https://www.mojo-audio.com/Or – BorderPatrol Audio Zola, $4,000 – https://borderpatrol.net/ Integrated Amplifier:Cary Audio SLI-80, $5,495 – https://caryaudio.com/ Cables:Triode Wire Labs – https://triodewirelabs.com/ Complete system cost around $30K Volti Audio – 6100 Nashville Hwy, Baxter TN, 38544 – 207-314-1937 |
 Join me . . . .on YouTube every Sunday morning for coffee and a relaxed ramble about audio… and whatever else wanders through my brain.These are true one‑take videos — no edits, no polish, no production magic. Just me, a cup of coffee, and a few notes so I don’t accidentally record a feature‑length film. I talk, I tinker, I wander around the shop, and I show you what’s in progress. Some people say they tune in for the audio talk but stay for my goofy facial expressions. All I know is: it’s a good hang, and you’re invited. |
Fidelity Imports
Room 1218 – Perlisten Audio, Cambridge Audio, VIABLUE
Perlisten A4t Speakers
Cambridge Limited Edition Black Series: CXA81 Mk II, CXC, CXN100-SE
VIABLUE cables
Room 1221 – Cambridge Audio
L/R S & L/R X (new powered speakers), Evo One
Room 1222 – Perlisten Audio, Primare
Perlisten: S5t, R18, D3is, X Series
Primare:SPA25 home theater integrated amp, SP25 home theater pre amp, A35.2: 2 channel amp, Allt-i-Ett All in One
Room 1225 – Wilson Benesch, Audia Flight, VIABLUE
Wilson Benesch Discovery 3zero
Audia Flight FLS1, FLS8
VIABLUE cables
Room 1226 – Opera Loudspeakers, Thoress, VIABLUE
Opera Quinta v2 floorstanding speakers
Thoress EHT Integrated Amplifier
Matrix Audio TS-1
Room 1229 – Unison Research, Opera Loudspeakers, Michell Audio
Opera Loudspeakers Callas Diva Edizione Speciale
Unison Research Pre v2 pre amp, DM v2 amp, Unico 150, Triode 25 Black Edition
Michell Audio Gyro, Revolve (T8 tonearm), Apollo, Muse
Room 1230 – Diptyque Audio, Kora
Diptyque DP160 (green)
Kora TA 480 Stereo Amp, CD140 Player, PR140 Preamp
Matrix TT-1
Room 1233 – Acoustic Energy, Cambridge Audio, VIABLUE
Acoustic Energy Corinium (Silver), AE1 40th Anniversary bookshelf speakers
Cambridge EXA100, EXN100
Room 1234 – Ruark Audio
Talisman Floorstanding speakers,RS1 subwoofer, R610, R810, R410, MR1 Mk3, CD100, Sabre R bookshelf speakers
Room 1239 – Wilson Benesch, Matrix Audio, VIABLUE
Wilson Benesch Act 3zero
Matrix Audio MA-1, MS-1, MP-1, SC-1, SS-1 Pro, SI-1 network isolator
Room 1240 (Apos) – Matrix Audio
ND-1 DAC, NA-1 Headphone Amp, NT-1, SC-1
Ballroom Utopia D – Perlisten Audio, Audia Flight
Perlisten: S7t Black Edition, S5t, R7t, S4b Black Edition, S3ic, R5i, S5i, D212, 4× D8is, DSP, X Series. This will be the first opportunity to hear the S7t paired with four D8is in a live system.
Audia Flight Strumento Signature Monoblocks & Preamplifier
This is also a great opportunity to connect directly with our manufacturing partners (some will be moving between multiple rooms):
Perlisten Audio: Lars Johansen, Erik Wiederholtz, and Walt Zerbe
Cambridge Audio: Simon Osborne-Walker and Ollie Marshall
Primare: Terry Medalen
Wilson Benesch: Craig and Luke Milnes
Audia Flight: Massimiliano Marzi
Opera Loudspeakers and Unison Research: Bartolomeo Nasta and Agostino Zamai
Michell Audio: Jonathan Nye
VIABLUE: Anke Patt
Diptyque Audio: Samuel Furon
Acoustic Energy: Neil Truckell and Wayne Davis
Ruark Audio: Alan O’Rourke and Richard McKinney
Matrix Audio: Jing Yang, Tao Yang, and Lynn Liang
Show highlights:
Focal and Naim have taken their long-standing audiophile partnership to a new level with the Diva Utopia wireless speaker line and the immersive Focal Mu-so Hekla 7.1.2 system. By combining Focal’s world-class acoustic engineering with Naim’s amplification, streaming platform, and DSP expertise, the brands have created fully integrated wireless systems that deliver reference-level hi-fi performance without traditional separates, bringing true luxury, high-performance audio into a modern, design-driven format.
Focal Naim in Utopia B:
- NEW Focal Mu-so Hekla – 7.1.2 Immersive All-in-One System ($3,600)
- NEW Focal Diva Mezza Utopia – connected, wireless active speakers ($69,000) and Focal Diva Utopia ($39,999) with additional side panels now available
- Focal Maestro Utopia Evo ($86,000) + Naim New Classic 300 Series
- NSS 333 hi-res streamer ($10,999)
- NAC 332 preamplifier ($10,999)
- 2x NAP 350 power amplifier ($8,499 each)
- Focal Littora Outdoor – OD 8 Stones ($849) + CI-Uniti 102 streamer ($1,799) stones, OD Sub 12 ($2,199) + CI-NAP 101 mono power amplifier ($1,999)
- Focal Headphones: Utopia ($4,999), Stellia ($2,999), Clear Mg ($1,599), Hadenys ($749) and Azurys ($599) combined with Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition ($3,799) and Bathys ($849) and Bathys MG ($1,499) wireless active noise-cancelling headphones
- Focal Speakers: Theva, Omada, Aria Evo X, Kanta, Sopra
- Naim Electronics: Mu-so 2nd Generation, Uniti Nova PE, NSC 222, NAP 250, NSS 333
Focal Naim America Showcases Latest Innovations at Audio Expo North America
Experience Focal Naim in Utopia B Ballroom
March 30, 2026 — Focal Naim America will present an exciting lineup of the latest high-performance audio solutions at AXPONA 2026. Attendees are invited to experience the exhibit in Ballroom Utopia B on the second floor, featuring cutting-edge products across immersive home audio hi-fi systems, wireless active speakers, traditional hi-fi components, outdoor systems, and personal listening.
At the core of the new products is the new Focal Mu-so Hekla, a groundbreaking 7.1.2 immersive all-in-one audio system that redefines what a single enclosure can deliver. Designed to bring cinematic-scale sound into the living space, Mu-so Hekla combines Focal’s acoustic expertise with advanced immersive audio engineering.
Also making their debut at AXPONA are the new Focal Diva Mezza Utopia speakers. These connected, wireless active loudspeakers represent a new chapter in high-end listening, blending uncompromising sound quality with elegant design and seamless integration for modern lifestyles.
For traditional hi-fi systems Focal will have on display Theva, Vestia, Aria Evo X, Kanta and Sopra speakers as well as Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation, Uniti Nova PE, NSC 222, NAP 250 and NSS 333.
Utopia B will also highlight Focal’s versatility across environments with the Focal Littora Outdoor system, paired with the Naim CI-Uniti 102 streamer and CI-NAP 101 mono power amplifier, demonstrating a refined approach to high-performance outdoor audio.
For personal listening enthusiasts, Focal will present an extensive headphone lineup, including Focal Utopia, Stellia, Clear Mg, Hadenys, and Azurys, paired with the Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition. Wireless listening will also be featured with Focal Bathys and Bathys MG, premium wireless active noise-cancelling headphones that bring Focal sound wherever listeners go.
Focal Mu-so Hekla and Diva Utopia speakers are available exclusively through the Focal Powered by Naim network of authorized retailers.
The Focal Powered by Naim store network is dedicated to creating designer spaces for Focal and Naim in an authentic customer experience. For more information on Focal Powered by Naim visit:
https://www.focalpoweredbynaim.com/
For more information on all products visit: focal.com and naimaudio.com.
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ABOUT FOCAL NAIM NORTH AMERICA
Born from the merger of Focal, world leader in acoustic sound made in France, and Naim Audio, world leader in British-made hi-fi electronics, VerVent Audio Group’s brand subsidiaries signal a new investment phase and direction for VerVent in the US and Canada. By creating its own distribution entity, the group is striving to turn the North American territory into the market leader for Focal and Naim.
Since joining forces, Naim and Focal have united their unique areas of excellence and innovation, meaning even higher levels of authentic audio performance are possible – taking you closer to the music you love. Focal Naim America also distributes BDI (Canada only).
For more information on each brand visit: www.focal.com, www.naimaudio.com. Focal Naim America: www.focalnaimamerica.com.