Axpona Audio Expo North America

The Axpona Audio Expo North America is happening in Atlanta next month, and I thought I'd spend a little time discussing why this audio show is noteworthy. First, Axpona is only in its second year and it's already looking like it will be much larger than last year's event. A popular subject among audiophiles these days is whether future generations will continue to listen to two-channel audio and physical formats such as LPs and CDs and heck, even 8-tracks and cassettes. (I keep running into people who are still into the last two, so that wasn't a joke.) Many audio hobbyists like to adopt a "the end is near" attitude when it comes to the simple act of listening to music for pleasure, and the success of new shows such as Axpona certainly gives many of us hope that we will be able to pursue our hobby for decades to come.

Second, Stereophile magazine is sponsoring Axpona. The first audiophile show I ever attended was the Stereophile show in Los Angeles back in 1992, and it really whetted my appetite for audio shows in general. The mood at the Stereophile shows were much more encouraging for novice and casual audiophiles, as opposed to the all-business vibe at professional gatherings such as the Consumer Electronic Show. These shows were a fantastic opportunity for audiophiles to get exposed to a wide variety of high-end equipment. For me, the 1992 show was the first time I really had a chance to listen to world-class equipment. In recent years, Stereophile stopped hosting audio shows, so it's good to see them getting involved once again.

These photos were taken today at the Sheraton in downtown Atlanta, where Axpona will be held on April 14 through 17. As you can see, it's a beautiful venue. I didn't attend last year's show, but I'm really going to try to make this one. If you want to learn more about the show, check out the Axpona website at www.axpona.com