CanJam SoCal puts boutique headphones in the spotlight
The Irvine show brought audiophiles together with manufacturers showcasing high-end headphones, in-ear monitors and unusual audio technology.
CanJam SoCal 2026 brought boutique audio makers and audiophile enthusiasts together at the Irvine Marriott in California on 29 August. The event, produced by Head-Fi.org, featured high-end headphones, in-ear monitors and related equipment from niche manufacturers and established brands.
The Verge reported that exhibitors including Sennheiser, Focal, HiFiMan, Astell&Kern, Noble Audio, Sony’s Pro division and Audeze operated listening stations, many using Qobuz. The publication estimated that a couple of thousand enthusiasts attended, although that was not an official event figure.
Among the products highlighted was Campfire Audio’s Chimera, a nine-driver in-ear monitor priced at $7,500. The Verge described its sound as detailed and enjoyable, while noting the Chimera’s unusually large size and high price. Its design combines dynamic, balanced-armature, electrostatic and bone-conduction technologies.
Dan Clark Audio’s $900 Aeon Core headphones offered a more accessible option, with The Verge noting a wide soundstage and a closed-back design that helped isolate listeners from the busy show floor. HiFiMan’s $1,449 Arya headphones featured an onboard Wi-Fi receiver, a relatively uncommon feature intended to support lossless audio streaming over longer ranges than Bluetooth.
The Écoute TH2 headphones drew attention with a built-in vacuum-tube preamp, dual-mono amplification, active noise cancellation and an eight-band equaliser. The Verge found them comfortable with effective noise cancellation, but said the upper frequencies sounded too prominent. The listening descriptions were subjective impressions rather than independent technical measurements.
