Axpona is one of those things you try to explain to your friends and they respond with “A what?” It’s a stereo convention in Schaumburg, Illinois. My dad went in 2018 and had a blast. We both love music, so he invited me along a year ahead of time for 2019.
I would love to describe this to you in a way that will do it justice, but I can’t. Dad explained it to me a year ago; I thought I had an idea. Nope. Axpona stands for Audio Expo North America and lasts three days. Audiophile paradise. It’s at a convention center-hotel combo. The ballrooms and convention rooms are full of headphones, home entertainment centers, accessories, records, and more. Seven floors of hotel rooms, every other room is home to a stereo, amp, speaker, wire, etc. company. You could truly spend all three days there and not see everything in a meaningful way. We spent two full days there and are still talking about the rooms we missed. Sunday was cut short due to April snow.
Growing up, my dad would pull out records and start playing them. “Listen.” I heard it often. Little me didn’t love listening as much as watching Dad light up listening and talking about music. As I grew up, I started down my own music journey. I love making it more than almost anything. My whole life, Dad has been introducing me to music and other people who stop by long enough to have a listen. A few years ago, he started building his own speakers and has a designated room. As a grown up, we’ll go back and forth playing music for each other. Our tastes are so eclectic, you really never know what will pop up.
I don’t know much about stereos. I know more now than I did because of Axpona. There was an overwhelming amount of audio stuff. Some things stuck out more than others. Here is my list of most memorable speakers. As I write this in my office, I’m listening to speakers I bought from the expo. I love them. Beau… Does not.
AvantGarde Acoustic – If I ever fall into a pot of gold. Hello, gorgeous. These are horn speakers. They are beautiful and amazing and expensive. They’re based out of Germany and took up the Presidential suite. The rep had some pretty awesome and varied music choices, which did nothing but help sell the speakers. The sound is open and pure in a way you don’t hear often. It’s as close to having the musicians next to you as I’ve ever heard. A side room had another more affordably expensive style of speaker, and those were just as amazing. It really is so impressive what the horns can accomplish. We ended up revisiting the room and staying awhile. If you ever have a chance to hear them, holy crap. They’re also artwork.
Vanatoo – These were a surprise. Based out of Washington, these are small speakers. I mean tiny. I have books that are bigger in size and weight. You spend two days walking around hearing big things with big price tags. Then, you walk into this room and go “huh.” They don’t require an amp or a subwoofer. There are two sizes small and slightly bigger. They’re plug and play. Perfect for apartments or offices. I loved that the rep had three short songs he played three times 1) on the small speakers 2) on the not-as-tiny speakers 3) with a subwoofer. It was great for comparison. Spoiler. These are what I’m listening to. They’re small and super impressive. They have rave reviews from people who know what they’re talking about and me. The small ones are $359 and the less small ones are $599. In stereo world: dirt cheap. I LOVE them. They are so easy to install and use. I have hooked them up to my TV and moved them around the house. They’re so good, and they can get REALLY loud. Not that I would ever do that to my neighbors…
Troy Audio – The sound quality was great! The reps had a great sense of humor. The room also came with tequila and chile mangoes. It’s a good sell. These are handmade and combine the classic 1940’s loudspeaker with modern technology to create a really unique sound. Not only is it beautiful and unique to look at, the sound is equally so.
Wilson Audio – I like to call this the keep dreaming room. Amazing. If you have a million dollars and change laying around a) feel free to send me some b) these are amazing. I don’t even want to talk about it because it makes my wallet hurt. The sound was pretty phenomenal. Impressive is an understatement.
MBL – These are unique. They weren’t the only omnidirectional speakers at the expo, but these were the most interesting to look at. You walk into the room and wonder where the speakers are because what your seeing looks like it could be a lamp, a non-functioning fountain, or a sculpture. Omnidirectional means the speaker doesn’t just project forward the way a traditional speaker does; it projects 360° to fill the entire room. I wouldn’t say they’re the best speakers in the world (they are good), but they are really cool.
MartinLogan – These are wild. My dad has talked about these before, so it was cool to see them. They’ve been around for 30 odd years and are based out of Kansas – go Midwest! They are very thin and translucent. Yes. You can see through them. They are an electrostatic loudspeaker, which means they are nothing like what I or you grew up with. They create sound through force on a membrane suspended in an electrostatic field. It sounds like science fiction, and it kind of looks like it too. The sound is truly amazing. The price ranges from ouch to if-I-had-a-real-job/didn’t-travel I could afford that.
Here’s the thing about stereo systems. You can spend a gobton of money. You can also spend $359 and get something fabulous. I’m listening to that right now. You can buy them on Amazon, here. I highly suggest. If money (and space) weren’t an issue, I would absolutely buy some AvantGarde speakers. There’s also a little bit of ridiculous to it. Spending $50,000 on a pair of headphones when my $125 headphones work is bonkers to me. To each their own, but I could buy a handful of other things and a nice pair of headphones for $50,000. It’s truly amazing what was at Axpona. This is audio equipment you absolutely cannot find at Best Buy or probably many other places. It would be far too expensive to have something like this in a showroom.
If you’re an audiophile: go. I can’t suggest it more. I already have Axpona on my calendar for the next year two years. So come say hi! I’ll be one of three ladies.
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