AXPONA 2025

Days after AXPONA 2025 wrapped, organizers announced a record 10,910 attendees—a 5% increase over 2024. Trade passes grew by 20%, which either points to a surge in legitimate press coverage or an uptick in blog-based glamor shots (aka audio porn) aimed at securing free entry.

With 213 listening rooms across 12 floors, featuring products from more than 700 manufacturers and brands, there had been plenty to photograph, ogle, and—better yet—audition. The Ear Gear Experience also grew, complemented by a Record Fair and a new Car Audio Showcase. Thanks to the draw of Patricia Barber, Saturday night’s concert attracted over 600 attendees.

After wrapping up my last assignment, I retreated to my room and napped for 45 minutes. Refreshed, I made my way to a nearby restaurant, hid behind a partition, and indulged in a blessedly quiet dinner. After four days of intentional sugar abstinence, I capped the meal with an almost comically large piece of chocolate cake. A bit to my surprise, I then discovered Stereophile writer Julie Mullins seated behind an adjacent partition, likewise dining silently. After a show like AXPONA, a brief spell of quiet—preferably with plenty of starch—becomes its own reward.

We bid a fond farewell to another edition of the largest and best-organized audio show in the United States, and express our thanks to everyone at JD Events, AXPONA’s organizers—you know how to keep a show running smoothly and give intrepid audiophiles what they want. Thanks as well to my colleagues Jim Austin, Mark Henninger, Ken Micallef, Keith Pray, Rosemarie Torcivia, and Rogier van Bakel for a job well done.

For those who missed it, or want more, AXPONA returns April 10–12 next year. May it again break records.