The Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society (LAOCAS) is a long-standing group of audio enthusiasts. As the largest audio group in the country, they are organized, with monthly meetings, often at manufacturers’ facilities, and hold yearly galas, the latest in honor of David and Sheryl Lee Wilson of loudspeaker maker Wilson Audio Specialties, and Bernie Grundman of Bernie Grundman Mastering.
A while ago I ended up at one of their meetings, and as I found myself in California more and more as my elderly mom required more of my help, I was able to attend LAOCAS meetings more often. They were always open and welcoming to my stepping in to their meetings and events. Since then I’ve been to meetings so many times that they nominated me to serve on the board, with the title of Vice President at Large, which is a diplomatic way of saying they weren’t quite sure what to do with me, except that I tend to make lots of photographs. I’m honored by the gesture, and will do my best to carry out my duties to the best of my abilities.
The LAOCAS is a presence at audio shows like CanJam SoCal and California’s T.H.E. Show, where they have even taken a hospitality suite. They are a friendly, supportive group, and in December 2025 I was finally able to attend their annual Gala. The event hosts a who’s-who of audio, from mastering engineers to manufacturers, record labels, and yes, those who have become audiophile luminaries, like master of ceremonies Michael Fremer of The Absolute Sound and Tracking Angle, keynote speaker Robert Harley, editor-in-chief of TAS, Academy Award-winning producer and engineer Shawn Murphy, and many more, with over 200 people in attendance.
The food was swell, and lots of raffle tickets were sold, and the more tickets you bought, the better your odds were of winning. As a poor struggling young writer for Copper magazine, it turns out I could only buy a few, but hey, maybe one day I’ll win! (I used to have a colleague who would purchase around $1,500 in raffle tickets each year at a charity auction for an organization we both belonged to, and it wasn’t a surprise that she won all the time.) The Society’s raffles are pretty legendary, with prizes ranging from high-end components to LPs and CDs. Sometimes they take pity on me and give me a CD as a consolation prize.
It’s wonderful seeing outstanding people like Bernie Grundman get their due. Most of the time, the only people that know the essential experts in the back rooms, studios, mastering labs, and archives are other industry folks, so when the Society honors these and other deserving people and the work they do, it’s gratifying to witness. If you are in Southern California in December next year, consider attending the Gala, as a great time was had by all.
Here are some scenes from the event.
Michael Fremer of The Absolute Sound and Tracking Angle was happy to be the master of ceremonies at the gala.
Here's Mike Wechsberg, President and CEO of the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society.
Audio luminaries: Marcia Martin (Reference Recordings), EveAnna Manley (Manley Labs), Michael Fremer, and Sheryl Lee Wilson of Wilson Audio.
LAOCAS executive vice president Alex Chavez and legendary mastering engineer Bernie Grundman received the President's Award and an Innovation Award, respectively.
Robert Harley is the long-time editor-in-chief of The Absolute Sound.
Y.K. Lee is a dedicated member of LAOCAS.
Daryl Wilson and his mother Sheryl Lee Wilson are continuing the legacy of innovation that began with Wilson Audio founder David Wilson.
UC Irvines’s Alph Chi Omega sorority was there to greet everyone and sell raffle tickets for some exceptional prizes.
Some of the best mastering engineers on the planet attended the event, including Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) Bernie Grundman, Abey Fonn (Impex Records), Chris Bellman, and producer/engineer Ryan Ulyate.
LAOCAS's Chip Moore was enjoying himself.
The dais was stocked with industry heavyweights.
The event drew 224 attendees.
Here's someone who knows sound: Bill Low, founder of AudioQuest.
Dedicated to sound: The officers of the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society.
George Counnas of Zesto Audio shows off some of the vittles of the day.
Garrett Priluck, the youngest member of the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, spends some time with LAOCAS chairman of the board and former president (and his grandfather) Bob Levi.
The fine folks at Los Alamitos, CA record store AudiophileUSA were on hand with rare discs, and they were extremely knowledgable about their wares.
Mark Ward, classical music reviewer for Tracking Angle, unveiled the coveted LAOCAS Audiophile Recording of the Year Award. The winner: Deutsche Grammophon’s vinyl release of the Shostakovich Piano Concertos, featuring Yuja Wang with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Andris Nelsons. Accepting the award is Academy Award-winning producer and engineer Shawn Murphy, seen here with Michael Fremer and Mark.
Carolyn Counnas of Zesto Audio joins Daryl and Sheryl Lee Wilson, Abey Fonn, and Robert Harley.
Holger Stein of horn loudspeaker, component, and accessories manufacturer Steinmusic enjoyed the proceedings.
You'd be smiling if you'd just won a pair of Wilson Audio TuneTot speakers! Sheryl Lee Wilson, Daryl Wilson, Michael Fremer and Garrett Priluck congratulate raffle winner Dale Stanton.
The Wilson family came together for the event.
Kurt Youngs of the LAOCAS had a big hand in coordinating the proceedings.
All images courtesy of Harris Fogel.
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