Florida Audio Expo - 2022

**Mike** · August 9, 2021, 11:24 AM

Florida Audio Expo Announces 2022 Show Dates

Tampa, Florida—August 2021—Tampa’s finest audio extravaganza is back for 2022! The third annual Florida Audio Expo is happening February 18–20, 2022 (Friday–Sunday), at the newly refurbished Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore hotel. The show will host the industry’s finest brands in more than 70 exhibit rooms, as well as in a new Marketplace area. Qobuz will return as the official streaming service.

Also new for 2022, the Florida Audio Expo will charge admission: $15 for Friday only, or $30 for all three days; students and spouses will be admitted free of charge, while first responders and military personnel will receive 50% off the ticket price. Consumers can buy tickets directly from the Expo’s website beginning September 18, 2021.

“We are thrilled to have our third annual show at the Embassy Suites Westshore,” said Bart Andeer, co-founder and operations manager of the Florida Audio Expo. “The convenience of being just minutes from the airport and downtown is a bonus for exhibitors and attendees alike. The 2022 show will be an exciting opportunity to once again share our passion for music and sound, and for attendees to experience new audio products from all over the world.”

The Florida Audio Expo is within convenient driving distance to such local attractions as Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium, and just an hour’s drive from Walt Disney World.

Please visit www.floridaaudioexpo.com for details. Exhibit space is now available!

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**Dizzie** · August 9, 2021, 11:45 AM

Good luck Mike. Have a great show.

**a.wayne** · August 9, 2021, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Good luck Mike. Have a great show.

Its always great , we looking for Greater now ..!

4 Tower MbL Mike ..?

Regards

**Mike** · August 9, 2021, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Its always great , we looking for Greater now ..!

4 Tower MbL Mike ..?

Regards

We are trying. Need the hotel to wire a minimum of 6 dedicated 20 amp circuits just to allow us to turn it on. That communication was going on with the hotels electrician this morning.

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**a.wayne** · August 9, 2021, 02:21 PM

Yes ......

**Ritmo** · August 9, 2021, 06:17 PM

Great news! Looking forward to another great show.

**Golum** · August 11, 2021, 02:42 AM

I'm seriously thinking to escape from the claws of the Swiss winter and hop to Florida with my wife to enjoy some sun. Nothing better if it can be mixed with some great HiFi. Considering this any room reservation assistance is feasible at the venue hotel?

Thanks in advance!
G

**Mike** · August 11, 2021, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by Golum

I'm seriously thinking to escape from the claws of the Swiss winter and hop to Florida with my wife to enjoy some sun. Nothing better if it can be mixed with some great HiFi. Considering this any room reservation assistance is feasible at the venue hotel?

Thanks in advance!
G

Yes! Would love to meet you.

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**CPP** · August 12, 2021, 09:07 AM

Well hopefully, Covid will slow down in our state by then.

**nc42acc** · November 7, 2021, 06:16 PM

Mike will McIntosh be showing in February? I want to hear these

**Mike** · November 7, 2021, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Mike will McIntosh be showing in February? I want to hear these

It wouldn’t be Mc, it would be a dealer and I highly doubt it. Mc isn’t known for their speakers….for good reason.

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**nc42acc** · November 8, 2021, 11:42 AM

When does the exhibitor list come out?

**a.wayne** · November 8, 2021, 11:48 AM

Non needed ,

just turn up , it will be your best audio show experience with or without the music,

Regards

**nc42acc** · November 8, 2021, 11:52 AM

Agreed. I am sure Mike will not disappoint.

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Non needed ,

just turn up , it will be your best audio show experience with or without the music,

Regards

**nc42acc** · November 8, 2021, 09:48 PM

Mike do you think you could make a Ron Desantis showing at FAE happen?

**Mike** · November 8, 2021, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Mike do you think you could make a Ron Desantis showing at FAE happen?

Is he an audiophile?

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**nc42acc** · November 8, 2021, 09:59 PM

If he isn’t he will be after a day attending FAE.

Originally Posted by Mike

Is he an audiophile?

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**Mike** · November 8, 2021, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

If he isn’t he will be after a day attending FAE.

Truth!

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**Dizzie** · November 9, 2021, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

If he isn’t he will be after a day attending FAE.

Not necessarily. There is a lot about major shows to put off newcomers and old-timers too. I attended CES 8 out of 9 consecutive years while it was still the place to be for audio and T.H.E. Show Vegas ran concurrently. I also attended T.H.E. Show Newport a couple of times. The last time I was at a show I left a day earlier than I had planned.

Admittedly leaving early was a lot about seeing and hearing the same old stuff. But a lot of it was the massive prices, massive equipment, and huge rooms. 100-pound-plus amplifiers and monster speakers in a room with 1/4 acre of floor dedicated to python cables and equipment stands.

They had no relevance to me and my system. And after too many shows I was no longer impressed by the best. I was shopping for relevance. Something I could afford and fit into my home.

I wonder if headphones are so popular with young people because they don't weigh 100 pounds and require a huge room and ancillary equipment to obsess over.

To convert an "innocent" to an audiophile you need gateway drugs. Mike, I encourage you to have some "relevant" rooms at the Florida Audio Expo. It is fine to show people what can be done but it is also important to show them what they can do.

**Mike** · November 9, 2021, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Not necessarily. There is a lot about major shows to put off newcomers and old-timers too. I attended CES 8 out of 9 consecutive years while it was still the place to be for audio and T.H.E. Show Vegas ran concurrently. I also attended T.H.E. Show Newport a couple of times. The last time I was at a show I left a day earlier than I had planned.

Admittedly leaving early was a lot about seeing and hearing the same old stuff. But a lot of it was the massive prices, massive equipment, and huge rooms. 100-pound-plus amplifiers and monster speakers in a room with 1/4 acre of floor dedicated to python cables and equipment stands.

They had no relevance to me and my system. And after too many shows I was no longer impressed by the best. I was shopping for relevance. Something I could afford and fit into my home.

I wonder if headphones are so popular with young people because they don't weigh 100 pounds and require a huge room and ancillary equipment to obsess over.

To convert an "innocent" to an audiophile you need gateway drugs. Mike, I encourage you to have some "relevant" rooms at the Florida Audio Expo. It is fine to show people what can be done but it is also important to show them what "they" can do.

When you say relevant, you mean?

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**Dizzie** · November 9, 2021, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

When you say relevant, you mean?

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I mean relevant to that person/family. What they can afford. What fits into their listening room. What they can envision as a possibility.

**Mike** · November 9, 2021, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

I mean relevant to that person/family. What they can afford. What fits into their listening room. What they can envision as a possibility.

As you can imagine, we have folks like this come into the store all the time. They have champagne tastes and a beer budget.

We can show a “budget” system, but it’s still going to be north of $20k and for a lot of folks they start gasping and flailing their arms.

I’m sure there are vendors out there with a $1500 system, but they sound like things at Best Buy.

Just saying…

The reason you don’t see $1500 systems is the ROI. They would need to sell 10 systems just to pay for the room, let alone travel costs and such.

I get your point, but the economics often don’t work out to justify the cost.

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**Dizzie** · November 9, 2021, 03:14 PM

I would hope that there is a significant potential market between the $1500 and $20,000 points. I am not talking about bare budget systems but systems that are a great value and not out of reach for many wanting to move up from Best Buy.

**Mike** · November 9, 2021, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

I would hope that there is a significant potential market between the $1500 and $20,000 points. I am not talking about bare budget systems but systems that are a great value and not out of reach for many wanting to move up from Best Buy.

There are and I’m sure some of our vendors will be showing such systems.

We plan on showing:

MBL Xtreme Reference System (room 1)
Vivid G1 Spirits with Block Audio (room 2)
Kharma S7-S/Luxman 507z (room 3)

Of course, this is HIGHLY subject to change.

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**Phil A** · November 9, 2021, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Not necessarily. There is a lot about major shows to put off newcomers and old-timers too. I attended CES 8 out of 9 consecutive years while it was still the place to be for audio and T.H.E. Show Vegas ran concurrently. I also attended T.H.E. Show Newport a couple of times. The last time I was at a show I left a day earlier than I had planned.

Admittedly leaving early was a lot about seeing and hearing the same old stuff. But a lot of it was the massive prices, massive equipment, and huge rooms. 100-pound-plus amplifiers and monster speakers in a room with 1/4 acre of floor dedicated to python cables and equipment stands.

They had no relevance to me and my system. And after too many shows I was no longer impressed by the best. I was shopping for relevance. Something I could afford and fit into my home.

I wonder if headphones are so popular with young people because they don't weigh 100 pounds and require a huge room and ancillary equipment to obsess over.

To convert an "innocent" to an audiophile you need gateway drugs. Mike, I encourage you to have some "relevant" rooms at the Florida Audio Expo. It is fine to show people what can be done but it is also important to show them what they can do.

I understand what you are saying. However, that being said, much (but not all) of today's high end tends to focus on the ultra high end. Part of it is the internet and the more modern conditions that have driven some of the dealers out of business and it carries over in many cases to the manufacturing side. Generally dealers have limited space to show products in their space. People tend to focus on what the cost to the dealer is of a particular piece of equipment and don't take into account what the cost of rent is, taxes, utilities, advertising, employees, etc.

An example would be if one looks at the recent thread about the Capital Audiofest. I've always liked GT Audio Works speakers (lived in the DC area and went to the first and most the first several Capital Audiofest) and in post number 37 Mike posted a picture of their latest offering here - Capital Audiofest Pictures and Comments Yes, the current system exhibited is $59k. In earlier Capital Audiofest, GT Audio Works had a couple of models. I think the smaller model was $3.5k and the bigger one (close to the size of the current model) was $6k. As improvements were made down the road in the manufacture of drivers the smaller model was dropped and went up to I believe around $9k.

The cost of rooms at the audio shows are not cheap either (and have gone up lots over the years -e.g. https://www.audiofest.net/media/imag...AF21Prices.pdf). So one has to look at those things as well. There will be cases when some rooms have manufacturers which also make components and speakers of lesser cost. They may not exhibit those as they are looking to get as much bang for the buck to recover those costs. I think if anyone goes to a show and likes a particular room there is an opportunity to look to see if there are cheaper components and speakers and talk to the people exhibiting and see if those things might be of interest.

Just for the record, I'd consider many of the things exhibited not relevant to me either personally. Given the expenses involved, I understand that. I usually go to shows at this point if I have a friend I'm helping who is not as much into high end audio as I am but wants a guide to bridge what is shown and what may be more relevant to them. Sometimes one runs into someone who has some of the more reasonably priced offerings from a particular manufacturer who is exhibiting and helps provide a frame of reference as to what to expect. It's just the nature of the business today. If one wants cheaper stuff, then for a large part of the offerings (some dealers in some markets may carry what one is interested in), one may have to look for Magnolia stores in Best Buy stores

**Mike** · November 9, 2021, 03:51 PM

Well said Phil. Drawing an analogy would be going to a car show and wondering where the Prius’ are. People go to car shows to see the Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, McLaren’s, Porsche’s and when it comes to Toyota, the Supra, not to a Prius or minivan.

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**Dizzie** · November 9, 2021, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Well said Phil. Drawing an analogy would be going to a car show and wondering where the Prius’ are. People go to car shows to see the Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, McLaren’s, Porsche’s and when it comes to Toyota, the Supra, not to a Prius or minivan.

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But the parking lot is full of Camrys because that is what they can afford and justify as a daily driver. There is a difference between entertainment viewing and shopping.

**Mike** · November 9, 2021, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

But the parking lot is full of Camrys because that is what they can afford and justify as a daily driver. There is a difference between entertainment viewing and shopping.

I think there will be plenty of Camry type systems in the smaller rooms.

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**AJ Soundfield** · November 9, 2021, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Mike, I encourage you to have some "relevant" rooms at the Florida Audio Expo.

Dizzie, I push as hard as I can to get affordable stuff there, reaching out to many more budget friendly brands, with limited success. Not for a lack of effort there. Adding to that, unfortunately, we can't dictate what an exhibitor displays! The rational is often, we spent $3-4k for a room, so would have to sell an awful lot of $500 products to make sense. That said, we had some rooms with $2k speakers(JBL), one of my rooms 2019 had a $1600 system
, from memory we've had desktop computer speakers in the $600 range exhibited, etc.
2022, well, I guess we'll see. Won't be for a lack of trying.

cheers,

AJ

**Phil A** · November 9, 2021, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

But the parking lot is full of Camrys because that is what they can afford and justify as a daily driver. There is a difference between entertainment viewing and shopping.

Sometimes the demo equipment will be sold as shows (so the manufacturer doesn't have to have it shipped back home). You can't roll back the economics and costs involved to some earlier period in time and expect it to last. Given the climate (both audio and other things) the RMAF called it quits. If the shows don't attract enough potential buyers where companies can cover their costs, then one can expect more of them to disappear. In the example Mike gave, one can sure go look at the Porsche and then look at the VW models Years back a dealer I knew who carried Magnepan was being bugged to carry their on wall $725 speakers (pair) and do a whole HT with them. He just couldn't afford to take up his retail space with more of that stuff and stay in business. He had a pair (of the $725 speakers) to exhibit with his more expensive Maggies so people could get an idea of how they matched up.

Look at the stores that have disapeared. I used to enjoy going into even Radio Shacks from time to time when I was in the area. I gave my brother and old 5.1 set of their speakers with the Lineaum tweeters for his bedroom (I have them in mine at one point). It is economics.

**Dizzie** · November 9, 2021, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I think there will be plenty of Camry type systems in the smaller rooms.

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That is great. That is all I was trying to say. There needs to be some affordable equipment in the mix. Some buyers will end there but others will upgrade and upgrade and upgrade. Today's Camry buyer might be tomorrow's Supra buyer.

**a.wayne** · November 9, 2021, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by AJ Soundfield

Dizzie, I push as hard as I can to get affordable stuff there, reaching out to many more budget friendly brands, with limited success. Not for a lack of effort there. Adding to that, unfortunately, we can't dictate what an exhibitor displays! The rational is often, we spent $3-4k for a room, so would have to sell an awful lot of $500 products to make sense. That said, we had some rooms with $2k speakers(JBL), one of my rooms 2019 had a $1600 system
, from memory we've had desktop computer speakers in the $600 range exhibited, etc.
2022, well, I guess we'll see. Won't be for a lack of trying.

cheers,

AJ

Ever heard of mandates ..... !

**a.wayne** · November 9, 2021, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

There are and I’m sure some of our vendors will be showing such systems.

We plan on showing:

MBL Xtreme Reference System (room 1)
Vivid G1 Spirits with Block Audio (room 2)
Kharma S7-S/Luxman 507z (room 3)

Of course, this is HIGHLY subject to change.

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Cant wait ....!!!

**Phil A** · November 9, 2021, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

That is great. That is all I was trying to say. There needs to be some affordable equipment in the mix. Some buyers will end there but others will upgrade and upgrade and upgrade. Today's Camry buyer might be tomorrow's Supra buyer.

A few years back, Vanatoo had a room at the Florida Audio Expo with their small powered speakers. I was using a pair of passive speakers at that and when I moved things around several months ago, I bought a pair of Transparent One Encores for the desktop. So yes there are more reasonable things there. A good portion though will be the more expensive things. Many moons ago (probably about 9 years back), I went to the Capital Audiofest looking for a DAC for a secondary system. A review site, Everything Audio Network, had a stack of DACs from $500 to $1,800 to compare. After listening for a bit, I ended up buying one that was in the middle price range.

**crwilli** · November 9, 2021, 09:35 PM

Show tickets and hotel booked.

**AJ Soundfield** · November 9, 2021, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Phil A

A few years back, Vanatoo had a room at the Florida Audio Expo with their small powered speakers.

That was the name that eluded me. They were selling those things like hot cakes. Would love to see them back.

**nc42acc** · November 9, 2021, 09:59 PM

Driving the vette down?

Originally Posted by crwilli

Show tickets and hotel booked.

**crwilli** · November 10, 2021, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Driving the vette down?

No, We will probably drive Jeffs ‘land yacht’ aka 750iL. It’s eats miles on the highway.

**Ritmo** · November 10, 2021, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by crwilli

No, We will probably drive Jeffs ‘land yacht’ aka 750iL. It’s eats miles on the highway.

LOL…

**nc42acc** · November 10, 2021, 06:13 PM

Mike what about an AudioShark gathering one of the evenings?

**Mike** · November 10, 2021, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Mike what about an AudioShark gathering one of the evenings?

Sure!

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**BobK** · November 14, 2021, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

There are and I’m sure some of our vendors will be showing such systems.

We plan on showing:

MBL Xtreme Reference System (room 1)
Vivid G1 Spirits with Block Audio (room 2)
Kharma S7-S/Luxman 507z (room 3)

Of course, this is HIGHLY subject to change.

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Booked tickets today...really looking forward to hearing your rooms, Mike!

**GT Audio Works** · November 21, 2021, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Florida Audio Expo Announces 2022 Show Dates

Tampa, Florida—August 2021—Tampa’s finest audio extravaganza is back for 2022! The third annual Florida Audio Expo is happening February 18–20, 2022 (Friday–Sunday), at the newly refurbished Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore hotel. The show will host the industry’s finest brands in more than 70 exhibit rooms, as well as in a new Marketplace area. Qobuz will return as the official streaming service.

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This will be our first venture to Tampa..we're excited to be partnering with Infigo Audio
See you there !

**nc42acc** · November 21, 2021, 11:07 AM

Bob did you receive your tickets via email?

Originally Posted by BobK

Booked tickets today...really looking forward to hearing your rooms, Mike!

**a.wayne** · November 21, 2021, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

There are and I’m sure some of our vendors will be showing such systems.

We plan on showing:

MBL Xtreme Reference System (room 1)
Vivid G1 Spirits with Block Audio (room 2)
Kharma S7-S/Luxman 507z (room 3)

Of course, this is HIGHLY subject to change.

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Make it Happen Mike , you have the magic wand , wave it ...!!!

**BobK** · November 24, 2021, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Bob did you receive your tickets via email?

Hi Marty,

I did not order the show tickets yet, only booked the plane tickets.

**Mike** · December 6, 2021, 12:33 PM

SCAM ALERT: if you receive an email from EXPOKEY (looks like the picture below), it’s a complete scam. Only use this link:

Hilton Page Reference Code

SCAMMER:

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**nc42acc** · December 29, 2021, 12:39 PM

AudioConLA canceled. Sign of things to come? I hope not.

**Mike** · December 29, 2021, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

AudioConLA canceled. Sign of things to come? I hope not.

Florida Audio Expo is a go!

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**joeinid** · December 29, 2021, 12:54 PM

Awesome! Congratulations Mike.

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