Capital Audio Fest

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Listening room

A hotel room or dedicated space at Capital Audiofest where exhibitors set up speakers, amplifiers, and sources for seated demo sessions. Room acoustics and speaker placement often matter as much as the equipment list.

2

DAC

Digital-to-analog converter. In a hi-fi system it turns digital files or streams into an analog signal for an amplifier; show demos may compare separate DACs, integrated streaming DACs, and built-in converters.

3

Integrated amplifier

A single chassis that combines a preamplifier and power amplifier. Integrated amps are common in hotel-room demos because they reduce box count while still driving a range of speakers.

4

Turntable cartridge

The replaceable pickup at the end of a tonearm that reads the record groove. Cartridge type and setup affect output level, tracking, and tonal balance in vinyl demos.

5

Bookshelf speaker

A compact speaker designed for stands or shelves. At a hotel-based audio show, bookshelf models are often paired with subwoofers or used in smaller rooms where floorstanding speakers would overload the space.

6

Floorstanding speaker

A full-height speaker that usually houses multiple drivers and may extend lower in bass than a bookshelf design. Demo rooms need careful placement to manage low-frequency room modes.

7

Room treatment

Acoustic panels, bass traps, and other passive materials used to control reflections and resonances. Exhibitors at hotel-room shows often bring portable treatment to reduce glass, bare walls, and odd room dimensions.

8

Bi-amping

Using separate amplifier channels for a speaker's high-frequency and low-frequency sections. Some high-end systems at the show may demonstrate active or passive bi-amping to improve control and dynamics.

9

Headphone amplifier

A dedicated amp for headphones, often paired with a DAC at show listening stations. It lets visitors compare headphones with more headroom than a phone or laptop output provides.

10

Vinyl pressing

A specific run of a record, often identified by label, catalogue number, and mastering details. Record vendors and listening rooms may use well-known pressings to demonstrate system differences.