AXPONA is, I believe, the largest dedicated Audio Show in the U.S.A., and AXPONA 2025 was no exception, having what appeared to be an even larger turnout than last year, even going as far as adding a Car Stereo section. I want to send out special thanks to our friends at Vera-Fi Audio, manufacturer of matchless amplifiers, loudspeakers, subwoofers, power conditioners, noise reduction systems, and isolation products for the budget audiophile, for selflessly sponsoring this coverage despite not participating in the show themselves.
MARGULES, B.A.D.A.S.S., Raidho Acoustics
As usual I started my show coverage with Personal Audio, but this time not in the Ear Gear Experience but in the tower in the room of Margules who were showing off a prototype of their new Margules HA-1 OTL Tube Headphone Amplifier/Music Server/Streamer ($4,500) and prototype Margules HP-1 Planar Magnetic Headphone ($2,500) which was gathering a lot of attention from members of the two channel audiophile community who don’t often venture into the world of Personal Audio.
Also on display was the Margules Century Overture Monitor Speakers ($16,000 pr.) driven by two Margules U280 30th Anniversary Special Edition Tube Amplifiers ($12,000 ea.), a Margules SF220 Tube Preamplifier, a Margules ($8,000), and a Margules MS-01 Music Server/Streamer ($3,500), with power conditioning provided by a Margules QR2 AC Line Conditioner in room #1. How do these diminutive speakers provide one of the best sounds of the show, the secret is concrete cabinets. In room #2, they had the epic Raidho Acoustics TD2.2 Loudspeakers ($43,000 pr.), the Raidho Acoustics TD1.2 Loudspeakers ($22,000 pr.), with the Margules U280 30th Anniversary Special Edition Tube Amplifier, the Margules MS-01 Music Server/Streamer, and the Margules SF220 Tube Preamplifier.
MOON AUDIO
Down in the Ear Gear Experience, first thing inside the door was Moon Audio with an extensive line of Personal Audio products including the new Grado Signature HP100 SE Open Air Headphones($2,495), the dCS Lina Ring DAC, Master Clock, and Headphone Amplifier System ($31,150, and uniquely the Manley Labs Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamp Headphone Amp ($7,999) which though designed as a preamp is a fantastic headphone amplifier. What was of special note was the Swiss-made Wattson Audio line of digital products, which includes the Wattson Audio Emerson Analog Endpoint ($1,750), the Wattson Audio Emerson Digital Endpoint ($1,750), and the Wattson Audio Madison LE Streamer ($4,995)
qobuz
Once again, qobuz was on hand as the official streaming service of the show. David Solomon did a presentation in the Acora room about select recordings that he particularly loved.
Cardas Audio
Aside from providing cables for many of the better-sounding rooms, Cardas had a table in the Ear Gear Experience showing their extreme expertise at cable termination.
RME
Pro Audio company RME was demonstrating their studio quality ADC/DAC/Headphone Amplifiers, including the RME ADI-2 DAC FS Converter($999) and RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE ($1,999), which includes a 2-channel Analog to Digital Converter along with its 4-channel Digital to Analog Converter.
Dan Clark Audio, HeadAmp
Next on my tour was my favorite headphone manufacturer Dan Clark Audio who was sharing space with amplifier manufacturer HeadAmp whose combined efforts produce one of the pinnacle reference Personal Audio systems the highly acclaimed HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier ($6,995) and Dan Clark Audio CORINA Reference Electrostatic Headphone ($4,499.99) this time running with the fantastic Mytek Brooklyn Bridge II ROON DAC ($4,995). While many of their older models are still available on their website Dan Clark Audio has scaled back their display inventory to those models currently in production with includes the amazing Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed Back Planar Magnetic Headphone ($1,999.99), their flagship Dan Clark Audio STEALTH Closed Back Planar Magnetic Headphone ($3,999.99) and Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE Open Back Planar Magnetic Headphone ($3,999.99), and the brand new Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed Back Planar Magnetic Headphone ($999.99). HeadAmp had several of the wonderful new HeadAmp CFA3 Headphone Amp ($3,999) available for demo with a variety of headphones.
HIFIMAN
Across the aisle, I came across HIFIMAN, manufacturer of my current favorite headphone system, the outstanding HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone System ($2,300), giving you sound that easily competes with systems costing three times the price. Of course, they had their usual headphone trees supporting their full line of stellar headphones, including their recently released UNVEILED series of no-holds-barred headphones, the HIFIMAN ARYA UNVEILED ($1,449), the HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED ($2,699), and the HIFIMAN SUSVARA UNVEILED ($8,000).
MEZE AUDIO
MEZE AUDIO was showing 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. Also on hand was their new MEZE AUDIO 105 AER Open Back Dynamic Headphone ($399), along with the MEZE AUDIO 109 PRO Open Back Dynamic Headphone ($799) and MEZE AUDIO 99 Classics Closed Back Dynamic Headphone ($309)
AUDEZE
AUDEZE was proudly demonstrating a new closed-back headphone, the AUDEZE LCD-S20 Closed-Back Planar Headphone ($499), featuring their new patent-pending SLAM™ acoustically dampened earcups. Of course, their whole stable of famous planar headphones was available for sampling.
beyerdynamic
My last stop of the day was beyerdynamic, who had a full array of their new beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II Closed Back Dynamic Headphones ($599.99) and beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MK II Open Back Dynamic Headphones ($599.99) sporting a new improved TESLA.45-driver.
That concludes Part 1 of my coverage of AXPONA 2025, once again, I would like to thank our good friends at Vera-Fi Audio for sponsoring our coverage. Stay tuned for Part 2
Some names push product. Vera-Fi Audio pushes peace of mind.
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