Audio Video News

Tampa to Host Florida Audio Expo in February

SV Staff  |  Aug 9, 2018

Florida will get its own audio show when the Florida Audio Expo opens in Tampa next February.

The inaugural show kicks off Friday, February 8 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore and runs through Sunday, February 10. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Tampa International Airport and close to local attractions such as Busch Gardens.

Free to the public, the Expo will feature a marketplace and audio demonstration suites in what was originally a condominium complex. Organizers say the venue is ideal because it’s an affordable alternative to the typical hotel-based show with cramped rooms and crowded ballroom exhibits.

Benefits for attendees and exhibitors staying at Embassy Suites include a free airport shuttle, free breakfast, and a free happy hour.

Three dozen exhibitors have signed up to date, including AudioQuest, Avantgarde Acoustic, Genelec Audio, Gryphon Audio, LampizatOr, Legacy Audio, Linear Tube Audio, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL North America, MIT Cables, Pass Labs, Valve Amplification Company (VAC), and Wolf Audio Systems, to name a few.

“Our mission for creating the Florida Audio Expo was to bring a strong offering to the Southeast market with a fun atmosphere for enjoying music,” said Bart Andeer, Expo manager and founder of Resolution Acoustics. “We have been working this idea for a few years, but wanted to find the right venue available at the right time of year, and we believe we have achieved both for the 2019 show.”

Noting that “Florida hasn’t had an audio show in a good number of years,” Legacy Audio founder Bill Dudleston said, “We look forward to bringing our speakers and electronics to this culture-rich area of music enthusiasts.”

For more information, visit floridaaudioexpo.com.

COMMENTS
drny's picture
Submitted by drny on August 10, 2018 - 3:44am

I live fifteen minutes from the location where this Audio Expo is schedule, and I have no plans to attend.
The brand names that will be on exhibit price their products at exorbitant prices.

prerich45's picture
Submitted by prerich45 on August 10, 2018 - 6:40am

You live 15 minutes away...drop by anyway. It's free, you will have the opprotunity to listen to equipment that you may never see again in your life time. I know of many people who test drive cars that they can't afford. They do it to say that they have experienced it. I came away from Axpona with tons of knowledge, I got to have a sit down talk with Bill Dudleston (Legacy Audio), and with Jeff Joseph (Joseph Audio) and ran into Bob Carver (he looked tired - found out he was ... he was voicing his new speakers at the time). There was so much to absorb and learn. I took that knowledge back home with me, as well as having a reference sound in my head (thanks Legacy, Tidal, Joseph Audio, and Scanea) and also left with some music as well! I went home and implemented some of the things I saw and by system has never been the same since.

They would love for you to buy, however some are just dispensing knowledge as well. Who knows, you may run into some big cash one day and by going to this show, you'd know how to spend a portion of it. If your satisfied with your audio, you just may learn some tips or see a new app, or whatever - these shows have more to offer than just a make shift selling spot. Best thing yet....its FREE!!!!!!

drny's picture
Submitted by drny on August 11, 2018 - 5:55am

I am originally from NYC. Believe me, I am quite familiar with Audio exhibit shows.
My issue with the Tampa show is that, as of yet, they don't have any A/V manufacturer that interest me.
Fifteen minutes further from the Tampa show location there is an excellent A/V store (Maximum AV) that has a great variety of gear, fantastic listening rooms, and they cover a wide range of price levels.
And more importantly I can actually fiddle with the gear, and bring my own music.
Such is not the case in any Audio Show.

AJSoundfield's picture
Submitted by AJSoundfield on August 12, 2018 - 11:03am

Not sure what shows you've attended, but the 10+ I've exhibited allowed playing your own music...and flip flops.
I know them and we have invited MaxAV to exhibit. I don't think there is a brand they carry that hasn't been invited to the show. Whether they choose to is up to them of course. The price of exhibiting at this show is less than half the typical, SPECIFICALLY to have as many "value" brands there, including just about all the names one would find at Best Buy etc.
Again, whether these brands choose to, is up to them. They have all been invited. We expect to add quite a few more to the exhibit list before Feb.
Please feel free to bring music wearing shorts and flip flops, it's Tampa and there will be poolside activities too.

best regards.

prerich45's picture
Submitted by prerich45 on August 13, 2018 - 5:17am

Bravo Zulu!!!!! I'm more amped than ever!!! I've told a few of my friends up here in the panhandle and they're coming as well!!! My wife is already putting in here leave form!!!

zorst's picture
Submitted by zorst on August 10, 2018 - 4:39pm

I love going to these shows, never felt the need to buy a super system but nice to see how my sound compares to what I hear at these shows. It used to be every Time I went into a high end store I would hear a system that for some reason sounded better than mine. But now for the first time, I redid my system and did compare it to a system at a high end store and I felt mine sounded a lot better. Probably because I felt the stores acoustics were not that great to begin with. So now I would jump at the chance to go to these shows and see what they do, what they use to get the sound they do. Some of what they push or use at these shows is certainly not necessary, but there's always things to be learned.

prerich45's picture
Submitted by prerich45 on August 10, 2018 - 6:19am

I'm 450 miles away....I can't afford most of the offerings, and by the way, COUNT ME IN!!!!!! Yes, finally!!!!!! The Southeast hasn't had a show since Axpona 2012 in Jacksonville!!!!!!! I'm hyped and excited about this and while I may not be able to afford the top of the line stuff, I can get a sonic reference and examine some of the companies lower offerings!!!!! This is just great - and I'd pay to go!!!!!

drny's picture
Submitted by drny on August 11, 2018 - 6:18am

How about actually getting to listen to your own music, mess around with the gear, and be left alone while doing so.
Since you plan to be in Tampa for the Audio Show,
stop in at Maximum Audio Video. They don't just have ultra high end equipment, they cover a wide variety. I suggest you spend half an hour each listening to Revel Performa, Paradigm Persona 5F, Goldnear Triton Reference. Bring your music, and go dressed in shorts and flip flops.
You will be welcomed and treated with dignity.
By the way, I don't work there, I just bum around the place and occasionally buy something.

prerich45's picture
Submitted by prerich45 on August 11, 2018 - 7:41am

No probs, I'll visit the store. However messing with the gear isn't really an issue with me. I've worked in the industry before and we would play a customer's music for them. Shorts and flip-flops...not my bag of tea really. Button down and jeans are the norm for me. I currently reside in audiophile purgatory (also known as NW Florida) closest places are Tampa, Atlanta, and New Orleans to see top flight gear.
Oh and I listen to my system often (daily). I just want to hear how things have progressed, and maybe I might find something to make me "upgrade".

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