Axpona audio show. Is it worth seeing(hearing)?

droleg,

If you are a hi-fi enthusiast, and if it's nearby, I suggest you go and experience an audio show first-hand. Unless you are in the industry, or in a major metro area with lots of hi-end shops, you'll likely never have so much access to so much different equipment. 

If you go, have a plan. Check out the vendors you want to visit and make sure you get to them. Otherwise, you could get overwhelmed and miss the very things you went there to see/hear. Also, plan you schedule around any of the seminars you want to attend. 

Go to the show website for a list of vendors and products, as well as a show schedule.

Thanks for the advice. I will plan on going, and make a plan on what /who i want to see/hear, including the seminars. Any opinions on a "must see" while i'm there? Very subjuctive, i know, depending on what interests people.

If you are in the market for any particular components, visit the vendor that has the component you want to hear, plus visit vendors who have competing products in your price range. You may find some surprises.

If you want to learn about vinyl playback, or computer/streaming audio, visit vendors with those products. There are also vinyl seminars, as well as computer/streaming audio seminars.

Lastly, go see a vendor/product that is WAY out of your budget, just to see what is possible and what all the fuss is about.

My girlfriend and I went last year and had a great time.  We did see Second City and a few bands live in the city to keep us sane after hearing female jazz vocalists played in every room. (If they weren't being featured when we entered, then someone would invariably request something).  If you're not into that than make sure to visit KEF who kept changing things up.

Also be prepared for listener fatigue (I never experienced it before) and for megabuck systems to be somewhat disappointing without a dedicated, treated room. The omni-directional MBLs fared well though, as did the Vinni Rossi\Harbeth room (at like a 10th of the price) which utilized nearfield placement to amazing effect.  And Spatial Audio did wonders too for even less, though the sweet spot was a bit too narrow for a couple.

Kirk

droleg,

 Friday is a good day for getting a chance to hear more stuff as there are less people there because of work.  The drawback to Friday is the vendors are usually still having problems getting their system to sound its best.

Saturday has the most people so getting prime listening seat is much harder.  The vendors are mostly getting their gear to sound its much better by the afternoon.  Both of these days are 2 hours longer also.

Sunday is when the equipment sounds its best.  There are about the same number there as Friday.  It does close at 4:00, however instead of 6:00.

Bargains might happen more towards the end of Sunday.   There will be many vendors having specials during the weekend.  Bring your wallet and your ears.