The Verge's senior reviewer John Higgins attended CanJam SoCal 2026, an audiophile headphone convention where manufacturers and fans gather to celebrate high-quality sound, and came away reminded why he loves headphones. The show featured a collection of unusual and high-end designs that stand apart from mainstream products, which Higgins says have become 'good but boring'. He has listened to everything from the barely serviceable to multi-thousand-dollar open-back headphones over more than 20 years of reviewing.
π The Backstory
CanJam events are dedicated gatherings for the audiophile community, bringing together boutique makers and enthusiasts from around the world. Higgins attended feeling uninspired by the mainstream headphone market, where mass-market brands have converged on similar designs. Shows like CanJam exist precisely because a dedicated community still craves variety, innovation and exceptional sound quality.
π― Why It Matters
The show highlights that innovation and character in audio still exist outside the mainstream, offering a counter-narrative to a market dominated by similar-looking wireless earbuds. For buyers, the high-end scene reveals what actually matters for sound quality and comfort. It also shows how niche communities keep specialist audio culture alive in a streaming age.
The Verge's senior reviewer John Higgins attended CanJam SoCal 2026, an audiophile headphone convention where manufacturers and fans gather to celebrate high-quality sound, and came away reminded why he loves headphones. The show featured a collection of unusual and high-end designs that stand apart from mainstream products, which Higgins says have become 'good but boring'. He has listened to everything from the barely serviceable to multi-thousand-dollar open-back headphones over more than 20 years of reviewing.
CanJam events are dedicated gatherings for the audiophile community, bringing together boutique makers and enthusiasts from around the world. Higgins attended feeling uninspired by the mainstream headphone market, where mass-market brands have converged on similar designs. Shows like CanJam exist precisely because a dedicated community still craves variety, innovation and exceptional sound quality.
The show highlights that innovation and character in audio still exist outside the mainstream, offering a counter-narrative to a market dominated by similar-looking wireless earbuds. For buyers, the high-end scene reveals what actually matters for sound quality and comfort. It also shows how niche communities keep specialist audio culture alive in a streaming age.