Florida International Audio Expo (February 21-23, 2025)

[AntiqueMusician]

Has anyone been to the Florida International Audio Expo before that can/cannot recommend it for someone new to the hobby? It’s about a 5 hour drive for me but would be willing to make a little getaway weekend out of it.

I’m kinda bummed it’s happening at the same time as CanJam NYC, was hoping to catch the ZMF booth but it sounds like they won’t be at the Florida event unfortunately.

Would love to hear from those that have been or plan to go!

 

[dunring]

I might go, Brandon is just 8 miles from here. Going to check out which companies will be there first. I just use headphone stuff and not speakers, so it'll depend on that.

 

[Evldice]

I went to the audio expo last year - I'm an IEM and Headphone guy and personal audio gear. While those presentations were limited. Moon audio was there and I was able to sample the entire Focal line-up, as well as listen to a DCS Lina Stack and some Matrix DAC/AMPS. Geshelli was there and they are so cool - listened to a bunch of their offerings, and also got to listen to some ZMF headphones they had, finally, Audeze was there and I was able to listen to their entire line-up. Sparkos was also there and they have a nice amp, they were also very cool to chat with. That was about it - not a single IEM in the building or any other personal audio vendor. I'm heading to CanJam NYC this year.

 

[AntiqueMusician]

I went to the audio expo last year - I'm an IEM and Headphone guy and personal audio gear. While those presentations were limited. Moon audio was there and I was able to sample the entire Focal line-up, as well as listen to a DCS Lina Stack and some Matrix DAC/AMPS. Geshelli was there and they are so cool - listened to a bunch of their offerings, and also got to listen to some ZMF headphones they had, finally, Audeze was there and I was able to listen to their entire line-up. Sparkos was also there and they have a nice amp, they were also very cool to chat with. That was about it - not a single IEM in the building or any other personal audio vendor. I'm heading to CanJam NYC this year.

Thanks for sharing! I’m thinking the trip may be worth it in my case if a similar line up is there this year

 

[Evldice]

Thanks for sharing! I’m thinking the trip may be worth it in my case if a similar line up is there this year

Yeah Florida is kinda of desert for personal HiFi - I drove three hours last year to go and wasn't disappointed. It'd be nice if they could attract more personal HiFi vendors, but that particular weekend most everyone will be at CanJam.

 

[SoundDouble]

I think this is the third year I might go, but there's a car show, can jam, and fl int audio expo same day. Decisions...

 

[AntiqueMusician]

I think this is the third year I might go, but there's a car show, can jam, and fl int audio expo same day. Decisions...

I found out Audeze won’t be there this year unfortunately. Was hoping to try some of their lineup as I hear some folks complain about the weight of their headphones. Looks like Moon Audio will be there along with Geshelli and Focal though.

 

[Whazzzup]

Won’t be many Canadians but who cares right?

 

[aaronburr]

Florida is a cozy show for personal audio even if it's focused on traditional 2-channel audio. You can spend a lot of quality time with the vendors that are focused on personal audio; I've demoed much of the current headphone market through attending the show the last 2 years. Less crowds, and a much lower noise floor than the CanJam show floor. The conflict with CanJam NYC this year is unfortunate, since Audeze and Warwick Acoustics were here the last two years, and Woo Audio were here last year.

My number one tip for any audio show is to bring a device with local files downloaded for playback. You get the benefit of demoing with material you're familiar with, and while many vendors have Qobuz streaming, Qobuz chugs on hotel WiFi. The personal audio vendors are also happy to let you plug in your laptop or phone.

Here are some pictures from last year's show:

 

[AntiqueMusician]

Florida is a cozy show for personal audio even if it's focused on traditional 2-channel audio. You can spend a lot of quality time with the vendors that are focused on personal audio; I've demoed much of the current headphone market through attending the show the last 2 years. Less crowds, and a much lower noise floor than the CanJam show floor. The conflict with CanJam NYC this year is unfortunate, since Audeze and Warwick Acoustics were here the last two years, and Woo Audio were here last year.

My number one tip for any audio show is to bring a device with local files downloaded for playback. You get the benefit of demoing with material you're familiar with, and while many vendors have Qobuz streaming, Qobuz chugs on hotel WiFi. The personal audio vendors are also happy to let you plug in your laptop or phone.

Here are some pictures from last year's show:

Those are some great pictures! I’m very excited to go, this will be my first official audio show.

Especially excited to spend some time in the Moon Audio room to demo a bunch of different brands and get a better idea of what I’m personally looking for.

Hoping with the CanJam overlap this year that it’s not too busy so I can take my time lol

 

[Kevintj604]

Won’t be many Canadians but who cares right?

If only there was a downvote option.

 

[Whazzzup]

If only there was a downvote option.

Enjoy the show

 

[Kevintj604]

Enjoy the show

Nah. I’m good. Can’t trust a neighbor who treats you like an enemy.

 

[Whazzzup]

Nah. I’m good. Can’t trust a neighbor who treats you like an enemy.

Exactly so you get an upvote

 

[AntiqueMusician]

Florida is a cozy show for personal audio even if it's focused on traditional 2-channel audio. You can spend a lot of quality time with the vendors that are focused on personal audio; I've demoed much of the current headphone market through attending the show the last 2 years. Less crowds, and a much lower noise floor than the CanJam show floor. The conflict with CanJam NYC this year is unfortunate, since Audeze and Warwick Acoustics were here the last two years, and Woo Audio were here last year.

My number one tip for any audio show is to bring a device with local files downloaded for playback. You get the benefit of demoing with material you're familiar with, and while many vendors have Qobuz streaming, Qobuz chugs on hotel WiFi. The personal audio vendors are also happy to let you plug in your laptop or phone.

Here are some pictures from last year's show:

This may be a silly question and apologies because I’m very much new to the hobby still... Is there an etiquette as far as how long you demo different headphones for at the show?

Let’s say the room is “average busy” and not packed. Is it acceptable to bounce around and demo different cans for an hour +? Do vendors frown upon this? I was planning on just bringing an apple dongle with some downloaded music to try per your last tip. Have a long list of things I’d like to try though lol.