(April 28, 2026) One of North America’s most important high-end audio events is changing hands. Sound & Fury LLC has acquired Audio Expo North America, better known as AXPONA, which has steadily grown into a cornerstone of the audiophile calendar.
Originally launched in Jacksonville, Florida, AXPONA moved through Atlanta and New York City before settling in the greater Chicagoland area, where it’s now spent more than a decade building a consistent identity and loyal following. Today, it feels very much like a permanent fixture in Schaumburg, both in scale and industry presence.
The show’s modern growth story began in October 2013, when JD Events acquired the expo, with plans to expand its reach by 50-75%. At the time, JD Events brought experience from a broader portfolio of conferences and trade shows spanning communications, technology, and healthcare, including Content & Communications World in New York City, SATCON, Customer Engagement Technology World, and the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo. That background helped shape AXPONA into a more structured, larger-scale exhibition while maintaining its enthusiast roots.
Fast forward to today, and AXPONA stands as a bedrock event for the high-end audio industry. It serves as a meeting point for manufacturers, dealers, media, and enthusiasts, offering a mix of product debuts, curated listening rooms, and direct access to the people behind the gear. Recent growth has been tied not just to its size, but to its energy. Event Director Liz Smith recently pointed to the 2026 show as setting a new benchmark for engagement and scale, reflecting a community that continues to evolve.
Sound & Fury’s acquisition positions the event for its next phase. According to a press announcement, the existing AXPONA team will remain in place, helping ensure continuity for exhibitors and attendees alike. The 2027 show is already scheduled for April 9 through 11 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center and will proceed as planned. Henry Wu, owner of Sound & Fury LLC, framed the purchase as both personal and forward-looking, noting that his early introduction to high-end audio shaped his long-term passion for the hobby. He described AXPONA as the “greatest audio event in the world” and emphasized a commitment to building on its existing foundation alongside the current team.
From a broader industry perspective, the timing is notable. High-end audio appears to be on the upswing, with renewed interest from younger listeners and new demographics, driven in part by the resurgence of two-channel listening, personal audio, and streaming. AXPONA has increasingly become a place where those worlds intersect, blending traditional audiophile culture with newer forms of engagement.
What comes next will likely be shaped by that balance. Sound & Fury is stepping into an event with strong momentum, a defined identity, and a growing audience. The challenge, and the opportunity, will be finding ways to expand without losing what’s made AXPONA resonate in the first place.
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