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CanJam 2026 showcases high-end and boutique audio equipment to enthusiasts

Confirmed1 source · Sep 5, 2026

An audiophile convention in Irvine, California featured niche and established audio manufacturers demonstrating specialized headphones and gear ranging from under $150 to $7,500.

CanJam 2026 showcases high-end and boutique audio equipment to enthusiasts
Image via The Verge

What happened

CanJam SoCal 2026 took place August 29th at the Irvine Marriott in California, attracting a couple thousand audio enthusiasts to booths operated by boutique and established manufacturers including Campfire Audio, Dan Clark Audio, HiFiMan, Focal, Sennheiser, and others. The event featured listening stations where visitors could audition headphones, DACs, amps, media players, and cables, many streaming via Qobuz for high-resolution lossless audio. Notable products included the Campfire Audio Chimera, a $7,500 in-ear monitor with nine drivers using a quad-brid design (dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers); Dan Clark Audio's $900 Aeon Core planar magnetic closed-back headphones; Fosi Audio in-ears under $150; and HiFiMan's $1,449 Arya headphones featuring an onboard Wi-Fi receiver. The Chimera units featured carbon fiber and brass Damascus construction with variations in finish making each unique, a six-conductor cable, and multiple accessories including a microfiber cloth, IEM cleaning tool, and nine different tip options.

Context

CanJam is produced by Head-Fi.org, the largest audio-focused online forum, and holds multiple events annually across London, Shanghai, New York City, Dubai, and Southern California. The event represents a distinct segment of the audio market: boutique, hand-built gear targeting enthusiasts seeking highly accurate and engaged listening experiences, with major mainstream manufacturers like Bose and Apple notably absent. The show reflects a current state where mainstream headphones are considered functional but lack distinctive character, while the audiophile market continues to develop specialized hardware with extreme price stratification—from sub-$150 to five-figure options—catering to listeners prioritizing sound quality and unique acoustic designs over convenience and portability.