CanJam NYC 2025 was my first CanJam NYC and I have to say it was spectacular, and I would personally like to thank our good friends at HIFIMAN manufacturer of several of my preferred reference headphones including the HIFIMAN DEVA Pro, the HIFIMAN HE6se, the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-la, and the HIFIMAN SUSVARA UNVEILED for sponsoring our coverage, without the support of manufacturers like HIFIMAN who put their all into the Personal Audio community, magazines like ours and shows like CanJam would not be possible. It appeared to my eyes that CanJam NYC 2025 had the most vendors of any CanJam I have attended, and as such it would have been impossible for a single person to cover every table and product in just two days, so I will be concentrating on the highlights, standouts, and newcomers in this report.
HIFIMAN
Taking up a significant portion of the show floor was HIFIMAN who had all of their epic personal audio products on display for attendees to sample and test drive from the outstanding $50,000 statement piece the HIFIMAN SHANGRI-LA Electrostatic Headphone System to the category defining HIFIMAN SUSVARA UNVEILED Reference Planar Magnetic Headphone ($8,000) to their budget oriented HIFIMAN EF500 DAC/Amplifier featuring HIFIMAN’s groundbreaking HYMALAYA R2R DAC ($459), not to mention HIFIMAN’s legendary GOLDENWAVE GA-10 Headphone Amplifier ($1,599). I was happy to see my personal favorite Electrostatic Headphone system, the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La ($2,300 for the headphones and amplifier complete) as well as their latest addition the HIFIMAN ISVARNA Hybrid Planar Magnetic Headphone with a Dynamic driver subwoofer built in ($2,899).
qobuz
qobuz was once again on hand as the official streaming service of the show, which they were showing off with the GRADO Signature HP100 SE with a Manley Absolute Headphone Amplifier.
Schiit Audio
Center stage for Schiit Audio was their brand new FORKBEARD enabled Schiit Audio STJARNA Pure Tube Dual Mono Passive MM/MC Phono Preamp ($1,699), something I hope to review in the near future, this is a serious piece of audiophile gear. FORKBEARD is Schiit’s new proprietary multi-system control app developed for their loudspeaker amps, preamps, processors, and DACs. Also on display for audition was the new Schiit Audio Mjolnir 3 Class A Headphone Amplifier & Preamp ($1,195).
GRADO
A true family operation with Richard, Matthew, and John Grado in attendance, GRADO was highlighting their two latest offerings, the amazing GRADO HP 100 SE, and the brand new GRADO Signature S950 Headphone featuring hand crafted Brazilian Walnut shells for exemplary sound quality. It was truly exciting to get a chance to meet the brilliant designers behind these fantastic products.
Dan Clark Audio
Inhabiting one of the separate suites was our good friends at Dan Clark Audio demonstrating their extensive line of world class headphones with the assistance of Justin Webber from ampsandsound. Of especial interest was their new Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Planar Magnetic Headphone ($999) which totally raised the bar for under $1,000 headphones giving you reference quality sound at an affordable price.
HeadAmp
Sharing a room with Dan Clark Audio was HeadAmp who were focused on their much anticipated HeadAmp CFA3 ss-zf Gilmore Current Mirror Headphone Amp ($3995) which is still in the preorder phase. Also on display for demo was their stellar HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier ($6,995), and their incredibly popular GS-X series of headphone amplifiers.
DanaCable
DanaCable was on hand demonstrating how their fantastic DanaCable Lazuli Voiced Cables can completely revolutionize the sound of your headphone. If you own a top of the line reference headphone, you owe it to yourself to give DanaCable a listen.
NOBLE Audio
No CanJam would be complete without a visit to my favorite IEM manufacturer Noble Audio. Their new TWS IEM the Noble FoKus Rex5 ($449) is the best performing TWS I have heard to date, and their Noble FoKus App offers ear correction software that really works. Their Noble FoKus Apollo Hybrid Planar/Dynamic Over The Ear Wireless Headphones ($649) not only sound amazing, they have the most outstanding ANC I have experienced. Of course, their Noble Viking Ragnar ($4,000) remains my go-to reference IEM.
MEZE AUDIO
MEZE AUDIO was launching their new Open-Backed MEZE AUDIO POET Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone ($2,000) which during my limited listening struck me as their best sounding offering to date.
FOCAL
As one would expect from a top-of-the-pack audiophile manufacturer, FOCAL had one of the more impressive ergonomic, and artistic displays, drawing attention to their more budget oriented high-fidelity offerings including the FOCAL AZURYS Closed-Back Headphones ($549), the FOCAL HADENYS Open-Back Headphones ($699), FOCAL CLEAR MG Open-Back Headphones, and the FOCAL STELLIA Closed-Back Headphones (2,999), all played through Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition Headphone Amplifiers ($3799).
That concludes part 1 of my CanJam NYC 2025 coverage, stand by for part 2, and once again thanks to HIFIMAN for generously sponsoring this coverage.
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