The Audio Expo North America, aka AXPONA, will return for its eighth year to Rosemont, Illinois this April 21st-23rd. The three-day conference and expo will be held in the Westin O’Hare just outside of Chicago, presenting the most exciting and innovative high-end consumer audio equipment around for gear-heads to explore and enjoy.

AXPONA is all about giving listeners the ability to experience the best gear from companies like Aaudio Imports, Bang & Olufsen, ELAC, Pass Labortories, Audio-Technica, Chord, and Magico, LLC. Attendees will have the chance to sit in one of over 140 Listening Rooms, each set up with different systems and components from over 400 manufacturers, retailers, and brands. This gives an oppurtunity for audiophiles and novice music lovers alike to test the latest high-end equipment, often before it even hits the market.

What’s more, the Ear Gear Expo will return with the latest headphones and mobile listening gear. This year, so many exhibitors have signed on that the expo has been forced to expand into the hallway outside the main exhibit hall! Schiit Audio, Mr Speakers, Questyle Audio, Audeze, and more will have their freshest headphones available for testing. And if you’re looking to leave AXPONA with some new gear of your own, there’s the Marketplace stuffed full with turntables, SACDS, instruments, cables, vinyl, tonearms, and every thing a true audiophile could dream of.

AXPONA will also include a number of industry greats giving seminars and lectures throughout the weekend. The Reviewers View by AV Showrooms will give attendees a chance to see what professional reviewers have found exciting on the show floor, while Legends of High-End Audio will feature top designers and company founders discussing how they make the best audio equipment. In one of the most exciting seminars, Dutch cartridge designer and founder of Van Den Hul, AJ va den Hul, will give a live lecture and demonstration during which he’ll build an actual audio cartridge live.

There will also be live performances from Frank Catalano, pianist Daniel Wang, and a Blues Revue & Benefit Concert featuring Chicago greats Lonnie Brooks, Billy Branch, and Mud Morganfield.

Three-day tickets are available for $55, while single-day and two-day passes go for $25 and $35 each. There’s also a special Student Pass for $10 a day and the $95 Gold Pass package, which includes a T-shirt; access to the AXPONA Gold Lounge with VIP check-in, coat check, refreshments, and free WiFi; and an exclusive Gold Pass reception featuring a meet and greet with writers from The Absolute Sound. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the AXPONA website.