What to See at CanJam NYC 2026

Every year, CanJam NYC brings together some of the newest products in personal audio, giving enthusiasts a chance to experience the latest developments in headphones, DACs, amplifiers, and in-ear monitors before they hit the wider market. CanJam NYC 2026 looks particularly promising, with several manufacturers introducing cutting-edge new products and experimental technologies designed to push the boundaries of high-fidelity listening. Here are some of the standout products I’m most excited to hear from the show. Here are some of the standout products I’m most excited to hear from the show.

Headphones

HiFiMAN WiFi Headphones

Both the HE1000 and Arya are getting new Wi-Fi only versions. They use Himalaya’s HiFiMAN technology combined with their Stealth planar magnetic drivers to deliver a new level of wireless listening. I’m excited to hear how well the unique sound of the HE1000 and Arya translates to the wireless environment. It would be a great package for wireless listening while still wanting to experience a lossless transmission, and if successful, would be a great solution for a more comfortable home hi-fi system.

Austrian Audio Editor

The Austrian Audio Composer is my favorite, especially when paired with the Full Score One amplifier. Now at CanJam NTC 2026, Austrian Audio is showing its new headphone, the Arranger. The Arranger is an open back on-ear headphone that features a custom 44 mm driver. This is a newly developed design with a diamond-like diaphragm (DLC) combined with a diaphragm and ring magnet system, designed for fast transient response, low distortion (<0.1% THD), and controlled bass extension. I'm looking forward to hearing how it compares to Flagship Composer and how well it interacts with Full Score One.

Audeze LCD-5s

Of course, I would be interested in Audeze’s new headphone. I liked the LCD-5 quite a bit, but the possible improvement in its brightness has me more excited. The LCD-5s use Audeze’s SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) technology, with a 90 mm magnetic driver built around Audeze’s nano-scale Parallel Uniforce diaphragm, a Fluxor magnet array, and a Fazor phase control system, designed to minimize modulation response. It’s definitely an ambitious headphone design, and a must-hear when you’re at the show.

Final Audio DX10000CL

I recently reviewed the Final Audio DX4000CL, but there is a Flapship model that Final will have in their booth this year. There isn’t much information on the DX1000CL, except that they are closed-back headphones with powerful drivers, and will have a premium price point. I’ve been a fan of Final Audio’s latest headphones, so I’ll be heading over to their house to give them a listen.

Grell OAE2

Axell Grell is regarded as Sennheiser’s most popular headphones. He’s been doing his thing for a few years now, but I couldn’t be more excited to hear what he has to offer me than the new OAE2. These are the new open back headphones. These headphones use a dynamic driver with a bio-cellulose diaphragm and a unique acoustic technique called Front-sided Sound Field Modulation (FSFM), which positions the driver to interact naturally with the outer ear to achieve a speaker-like sound stage. I’ll be stopping by their booth to give OAE2 a listen.

DACs and Amplifiers

iFi IDSD Phantom

It’s been a while since I heard a quality DAC/amp from iFi, so the new IDSD Phanton is something I’m looking forward to trying out. The IDSD Phantom is an outstanding all-in-one desktop component designed to function as a high-end DAC, network streamer, and headphone amplifier for serious audiophile setups. Built around the quad Burr-Brown DAC Architecture, it supports ultra-high resolution playback of up to 32-bit/768 kHz PCM and DSD512, with iFi’s DSD2048 validation engine and K2HD processing designed to enhance detail and restore harmonic information lost in digital recording. I’m interested to see what headphones they will have to try with the Phantom and test its properties.

Fiio Warmer R2R

I was interested in the Fiio Warmer R2R purely based on its looks. I just suck at VU meters. I FiiO WARMER R2R is a desktop DAC and tube buffer designed to add a warm, analog-like character to digital audio systems. At its core is a completely unique 24-bit R2R resistor-ladder DAC, a design loved by many audiophiles for its natural timbre and smooth transient response compared to standard delta-sigma converters. The unit also includes four JJ Electronic E88CC vacuum tubes in the analog section. Fiio’s R2R DACs are very impressive, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this technology develops with Warmer.

IEMs

Volk Audio x Astell and Kern Stella

Astell’s collaboration with Kern’s IEM is always an exciting proposition. This time, A&K teams up with Volk Audio, who released one of my favorite IEMs last year, the ÉTOILE. This has become one of my most anticipated products to try at this year’s CanJam NYC, and I can’t wait to visit their booth to experience it myself. This collaboration features Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, as if these IEMs didn’t have enough merit to back them up.

Strauss & Wagner New IEM Sampler

The Audio46 booth is where you’ll be able to try a number of different products, including many new Strauss & Wagner accessories. The new Monte Carlo cable is the highlight, but they will also have the first version of the new IEM. This new IEM costs $399, hoping to make an impression and tap into the audiophile crowd. It will be interesting to see how well a brand best known for its consumer products handles audiophile audio.

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