AXPONA 2025 Is All About Affordability

Fifteen years after CoolCleveland’s first visit to AXPONA, Thomas Mulready is once again talking with key industry figures, manufacturers, media and inventors creating the future of good sound at the largest hi-fi show in the country. It all happens at the Renaissance Schaumberg outside of Chicago, where the beds are removed from over 200 sleeping rooms to make room for hundreds of small businesses and major brands demonstrating the latest turntables, headphones, amplifiers, cables, streamers, DACs, vinyl, and accessories.

In 2025, the high end continues to get higher, with six-figure-plus systems and outrageously sweet sounding equipment for those who prioritize good sound in their lives. But another trend is emerging due to globalization, technological improvements and maturity in the marketplace, offering great results at lower and lower price points.

While affordability was a theme, others we spoke with showcased innovative planar magnetic speaker design, hi-res streaming music, a brand-new car stereo competition, even the favorite vinyl test tracks that a respected amplifier manufacturer uses to evaluate her amplifiers.

Feel free to share this page, and scroll to the bottom to view similar interviews from AXPONA 2024, 2023, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013! AXPONA.com

Favorite Test Tracks by Beatrice Lam of VTL Amplifiers

Not a single amp leaves the factory at VTL Amplifiers with passing Beatrice Lam’s ears. Bea pulled CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready aside during AXPONA 2025 to share the vinyl music she loves and uses to evaluate VTL amps. VTL.com. View the video interview with Bea Lam here.

How To Make Hi-Fi Affordable With Bes Nievera of Music Direct

Besflores Nievera of Music Direct has a lot of experience with high fidelity equipment, accessories and music. But he’s also passionate about introducing the next generation to the enjoyment of listening to good music on good gear. CoolCleveland spoke with him at AXPONA 2025. MusicDirect.com. View the video interview with Bes Nievera here.

Michael Fremer Says High End Audio Can Be Affordable

CoolCleveland caught up with Michael Fremer AXPONA 2025 and asked him if he thought that high-end audio was affordable. His answer, while not surprising, is encouraging for the next generation of hi-fi enthusiasts. TrackingAngle.com. Stereophile.com. View the video interview with Michael Fremer here.

Car Stereo Competition at AXPONA 2025

Larry Chijner drove his BMW from Pittsburgh to compete in the first IASCA Worldwide car stereo competition at AXPONA 2025 in Chicago. Chijner walks CoolCleveland through all the categories that his vehicle was competing in from sound quality to upholstery. Larry partners with AudioWave-USA. View the video interview with Larry Chijner here.

Lenny Florentine of All Elite Audio & AXPONA Talks Affordability

AXPONA 2025 is the largest audio show in North America, and the vast majority of the exhibitors are displaying high-end (and pricey) audio equipment. But how does someone just getting started make that first small investment? Affordability is possible, and Lennie Florentine of All Elite Audio has been helping the folks at exponent spread the word. YT: @Lenny Florentine AllEliteAudio.com. View the video interview with Lenny Florentine here.

Liz Miller of AXPONA Is Making High End Audio Affordable

Over the years, Axpona, the largest high-end audio show in the United States, has made an effort to reach out to more and more people. As event director, Liz Miller explains, for 2025 AXPONA is promoting affordability and accessibility to reach out to the next generations of hi-fi enthusiasts. AXPONA.com. View the video interview with Liz Millerhere.

Ze’ev Wolf Schlik of Pure Audio Project with Open Baffle Speakers

One of the trickiest problems in high end audio is how to accommodate the effects of the room interacting with your box speakers. Ze’ev Wolf Schlik shows us how PureAudioProject uses an open baffle design, similar to a guitar amp, that eliminates speaker boxes and are also more affordable. PureAudioProject.com. View the video interview with Ze’ev Wolf Schlik here.

David Solomon Says Qobuz is All About The Music

Qobuz was the first online platform to offer hi-res streams. Qobuz also supports artists by offering their tracks and albums as downloads. Other services have since come on the scene, while Qobuz continues to innovate as the first to offer DSD downloads. Qobuz.com. View the vieo interview with David Solomon here.

Wayne Colburn is Designer and Partner of Pass Labs

Pass Labs he is a legendary company known for high-end electronics, such as Amplifiers and preamps. Wayne Colburn has been founder. Nelson passes partner since the late 1980s, and he designs their preamps, including their newest XS Preamp. PassLabs.com. View the video interview with Wayne Colburn here.

Diptyque Magnetic Planar Speakers at AXPONA

Unlike traditional cone speakers magnetic planer speakers use a thin mylar sheet full of magnets to create sound. Diptyque Speakers also use a rigid frame and allow more room for the Mylar to move, increasing low end response. DiptyqueAudio.com FidelityImports.com. View the video interview with Aaron Drabic of Fidelity Imports here.

Audio Solutions Not Afraid to Rock AXPONA

Most speaker manufacturers play a narrow range of music when demonstrating at a hi-fi show. But Audio Solutions founder Gediminas Gaidelis, on his first visit to AXPONA from Lithuania, is not afraid to audition a wide variety of music on his Figaro model on display: heavy metal, electronica, pop, rock and even some female vocals. AudioSolutions.lt. View the video interview with Gediminas Gaidelis here.

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2024: https://coolcleveland.com/8nv2

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2023: https://coolcleveland.com/ufAO3

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2019: https://coolcleveland.com/P3shB

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2017: https://coolcleveland.com/S8sXC

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2016: https://coolcleveland.com/ugNdr

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2015: https://coolcleveland.com/Eqy1C

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2014: https://coolcleveland.com/cGdmi

View CoolCleveland’s coverage of AXPONA 2013: https://coolcleveland.com/6a3Ji