FIAE 2026 Tampa Audiophiles And Music Lovers Dance, Sing, And Listen
Three days of hi-fi demos by experts, a Women In Hi-Fi Seminar, and talented young musicians too.
Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Report By Steven R. Rochlin

  It's all about the people, and music brings people together. With my 40 years of passion within the field of music and consumer electronics, may I humbly say the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 drew in a lively mix of dedicated audiophiles, casual music lovers, affluent home owners, wealthy investors, and industry professionals. From the moment doors opened, Sue Toscano's always-smiling face was there with Enjoy the Music.com Press Badges, while everyone enjoyed our lanyards and Sue's exceptional event assistance.

For three exciting days, the show floor buzzed with conversation and listening sessions as attendees moved between exhibitor listening rooms to hear new loudspeakers, boutique electronics, and carefully curated bespoke sound system demos.

Left: A music lover receiving booklets for his children.
Right: Educator, scientist, and author of Passport To Sound May Anwar.

Way back in the 1900s, when monophonic became stereophonic, and later, room exhibitors only played the typical acoustic 'audiophile-approved' music, great music was hit or miss in those days long ago.

Thankfully, today we have fully broken free from that olden days STEREO-type, and in 2026, we're joyously immersed within the sounds and songs we love! Attendees can play their fave tunes as exhibitors break free from the chains of ye olden days, as we modern music lovers enjoy an incredible variety of genres.

The FIAE 2026 show's layout made it easy to bounce between immersive listening rooms and the bustling exhibit hall, where smaller manufacturers and accessory makers offered personal demos and one-on-one conversations. Jeff Dorgay of TONEaudio even had an exhibition show promoting great sound thanks to SVS loudspeakers and other gear.

A standout element of this terrific Tampa hi-fi event was the seminar program, which complemented the listening experiences with expert panels and educational talks for creators and consumers alike. Sessions covered topics from room treatment and system matching to the latest in streaming and digital front ends. 

The Florida International Audio Expo asked Enjoy the Music.com's Creative Director, Steven R. Rochlin, to moderate the Women In Hi seminar. As the largest seminar during the show, it was inspiring to experience the brain-power and passion showcased by these brilliant ladies within high-end audio.

Featured speakers included Anne Bisson (Camilio Records), Sheree Cora (Acora Acoustics), Sherri Geshelli (Geshelli Labs), Darlene Monteiro (VAC), Ofra Gershman (Gershman Acoustics), Dee Goldstein (Innovo Audio Designs), and we were blessed to add May Anwar (educator and author of Passport To Sound) at the last minute.

The Women In Hi-Fi seminar was especially informative and well attended, spotlighting accomplished professionals who brought diverse perspectives on design, manufacturing, education, and entrepreneurship.

Attendees praised the panel for practical insights, career stories, and actionable advice for women and allies in the audio community. If you missed the seminar, we plan to do it again, and within a far larger area because we needed more room!

Let us all give thanks to the many great guys n' gays at the Suncoast Audiophile Society. Founded in 1994 as the Tampa Bay Listening Society, this is a wonderful community of high-end audio enthusiasts from the Tampa Bay, Sarasota, and surrounding regions. They host regular in-person listening sessions, gear demos, presentations (sometimes via Zoom), and occasional live music, welcoming interests across analog, digital, solid-state, vacuum tubes, and DIY. Members range from casual music lovers to seasoned audiophiles who value shared listening, system comparisons, and practical advice for building better home systems.

Located in Clearwater, Violins 4 Joy has been bringing music and happiness to the community since 2021. Their mission is simple and powerful: to spark joy through music while guiding young players to become confident, creative musicians. Through performance and study, students learn not only technique but collaboration, stage presence, and the courage to share their voices with an audience.

The program serves children ages 7 to 14, and watching them perform is a genuine delight—proud parents beam as each young musician takes the stage. As someone who first picked up an instrument in the 1970s, when I was in second grade, their solos transported me back to my own first nervous, thrilling moments onstage.

Support for programs like Violins 4 Joy helps nurture the next generation of artists. If their music moved you, consider supporting Violins 4 Joy through their website and help keep this joyful, formative experience alive for more young musicians.

While we usually keep it on the DL, Enjoy the Music.com has supported / sponsored young musicians over the decades. We're honored to have the ability to give back to the music community.

May Anwar, educator and author of Passport To Sound

Beyond seminars, the social side of the show was vibrant: late-day listening sessions, impromptu meetups, and friendly debates about favorite recordings and system tweaks. These moments reinforced that FIAE is as much about community and shared passion for music as it is about audiophile gear.

With more than 50,000 albums sold, Anne Bisson of Camilio Records 8th album, Guilty Pleasures, is available now.

The Florida International Audio Expo 2026 delivered three days of discovery, education, and connection for music lovers and audiophiles in Tampa. Whether attendees came for the latest hardware, the Women In Hi-Fi or other seminars, or simply to hear great music played back on great sound systems, the FIAE high-fidelity audio show created inspiration, and they're already planning their 2027 event!

As always, in the end what really matters is that you...

Enjoy the music.

---> Back to the Florida International Audio Expo 2026 show report homepage.