Held April 11-13 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Illinois, AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) drew 10,910 attendees--a 5% increase over its largest previous event, marking its biggest show yet. The B2B and B2C show offered music lovers and industry professionals three days of sound, technology, seminars, live music and the latest audio products. Trade passes grew 20%, as AXPONA continues to attract more members of the high-end audio industry. 

Related: Post-Show Recap: AXPONA 2024 Immerses Audiophiles in Largest Show Yet 

Context: AXPONA (Audio Expo North America), which launched in 2010, touts itself as the North America’s largest event for audiophiles, manufacturers of high-end audio equipment, musicians, and music lovers. The three-day experience features 200+ high-fidelity listening rooms, providing guests the enviable opportunity to experience the newest technology in high-end consumer audio products. Attendees are encouraged to go from room to room and sit, listen, and compare the various systems. 

By the numbers: AXPONA 2025 featured 213 dedicated listening rooms on 12 floors crafted by the best in the business, including 700 global manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and brands. 

In-person experiences: The Ear Gear Experience featured everything for personal audio––from headphones and electronics to accessories and cables. The expo hall, which is home to the Record Fair, showcased an array of turntables, cables, accessories, racks, stands, tonearms, cartridges, and new and vintage vinyl. 

What they’re saying: “AXPONA 2025 was truly our biggest and best show yet,” said AXPONA Event Director Liz Smith. “With record-breaking attendance, 200+ incredible listening rooms, and nonstop energy from start to finish, the passion for high-fidelity audio was felt in every corner. We’re so grateful to our exhibitors, attendees, sponsors, and artists for making this weekend unforgettable. The AXPONA community continues to grow, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!” 

New in 2025: The new Car Audio Showcase offered passionate music lovers the best sounds in car audio. Manufacturers and dealers of high-performance car audio featured demonstrations from leading brands to discover new audio products for purchase and upgrades. 

Show floor highlights: “AXPONA continues to set the standard for high-end audio events, and this year, we welcomed top-tier exhibitors. Their presence showcases the innovation, passion, and growth within the industry, making this a can’t miss experience for audiophiles and music lovers alike,” said Smith. Major sponsors included companies like Technics, Axiss Audio, Music Direct ,and more. A full list of sponsors can be found here. 

Fan favorites: Live concerts nightly at AXPONA are always a big hit. On Friday night, AXPONA welcomed The Kyle Asche Organ Quartet to a packed and energetic crowd. Saturday night’s concert featured fan-favorite Patricia Barber, who closed out the concert series with more than 600 attendees. 

Looking ahead: AXPONA returns April 10-12, 2026, to the Schaumburg Convention Center. 

We caught up with Smith to find out more about how and why this year’s event set attendance records. Here’s what we learned.  

Tormohlen: What can you tell us about the size of the audio industry and its growth projections? 

Smith: The home high-end audio system market is projected to grow from $5.25 billion in 2025 to $7.72 billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.37% during the forecast period (2025-2034). The market size for home high-end audio system market was valued at $5.36 billion in 2024, according to a report by Market Future Institute. 

Some market trends identified in the report: “The market is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing demand for high-quality sound experiences among consumers. Factors such as advancements in audio technology, the rise of streaming services, and a growing appreciation for music and movies in high fidelity are pushing many consumers to invest in premium audio solutions. Furthermore, the shift towards home entertainment, accelerated by recent events, has further fueled interest in enhancing audio experiences at home. This trend is particularly evident among audiophiles and consumers looking for immersive experiences directly in their households.” 

Tormohlen: What factors do you attribute to the record-breaking growth in trade attendance and overall turnout this year?  

Smith: Overall, AXPONA has experienced consistent growth year over year, establishing itself as an annual destination for music lovers and the audio industry. Several factors contribute to this growth, including the industry's passion and support, an increasing number of younger attendees interested in high-quality audio systems, and the implementation of new marketing tactics to build awareness and attract new attendees. We also have a loyal community that makes AXPONA an annual trip. 

In fall 2024, we launched a podcast called Audio Insider, an AXPONA podcast hosted by content creator Lenny Florentine on YouTube and various podcast platforms. This initiative aims to engage our community year-round and expand our reach. One of our top priorities is to attract more younger attendees, and YouTube has proven to be an excellent platform to support this goal. 

Our exhibitor community serves as our strongest advocates, promoting the event within the trade and establishing it as a significant B2B event for the audio industry. Exhibitors invite their partners to attend the show, support their exhibits, network, and forge new connections. For dealers in the United States, AXPONA offers an excellent opportunity to discover new products and meet with partners without the need for international travel. 

We are constantly exploring ways to grow and expand AXPONA. This year, we launched the Car Audio Showcase, attracting car enthusiasts who also care about great sound. The expanded Ear Gear Experience, a dedicated space for personal audio, saw its largest footprint yet. It featured a vast array of headphones, DACs (digital-to-analog converters), amplifiers, and accessories, catering to the growing community of personal audio enthusiasts. 

Lastly, our live concerts are always a fan favorite. We had more than 600 attendees at Saturday night’s concert with Patricia Barber. Lines formed early as fans eagerly awaited Barber’s performance. 

Tormohlen: Describe the Car Audio Showcase. What was one of the coolest things on display?  

Smith: We partnered with the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) to launch this new showcase, aiming to provide attendees with a space to experience high-performance car audio. For the first time, passionate music lovers experienced the best sounds in car audio. Manufacturers and dealers of high-performance car audio offered demonstrations from leading brands to discover new audio products for purchase and upgrades. We had 20 cars on display and five exhibitors for attendees to engage with through interactive exhibits and live demonstrations. 

The cars boasted true innovations in sound—custom speakers, precision-tuned subwoofers, amplifiers and more. The coolest thing to see was The Audio Wave handcrafted car audio amp that retails at $35,000. It's extremely limited and has a two-year waiting list! Natan Budiono's winning vehicle was also a must-see. 

Tormohlen: Tell us about one of the 213+ listening room experiences. 

Smith: One of the most notable listening rooms at this year's AXPONA was presented by Magico. Located on the 15th floor, attendees had the opportunity to experience the Magico M9s, a state-of-the-art loudspeaker renowned for its power and ability to reproduce micro details from recordings. These stunning loudspeakers stand 80 inches tall and weigh a combined 2,000 pounds. It was a true privilege to have them at AXPONA, offering music lovers and audiophiles a dream system to experience.