Capital Audiofest 2025: Another North American High-End Audio Show Turns 15

You've come a long way baby! First it was AXPONA turning 15; seven months later it's Capital Audiofest‘s turn. The last fifteen years seem to have just flown by. From CAF's very humble beginnings at the historic Glen View Mansion (Rockville, MD) in 2010 to the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Rockville, MD) in 2011 to a short sojourn at the Silver Springs Sheraton (Bethesda, MD) in 2013 to finally landing at its current digs across the street from the Twinbrook Metro station at the Hilton Hotel (Rockville, MD) in 2015. The show's sponsor's most strategic move, though, came with shifting the show date to late fall in 2017. Some at the time even wondered whether the new CAF date was too close to the New York Show. Ultimately, we see which show lasted and thrived. In fact, several original Capital Audiofest exhibitors—including Jeff Fox (Command AV), Bill Parrish (GTT Audio), Greg Beron (United Home Audio), Jeff Catalano (High Water Sound), Gary Dews (Border Patrol), and Jeff Joseph (Jeff Joseph Audio)—participate regularly at Capital Audiofest.

According to show organizer Gary Gill, attendance and exhibitor turnout at this year's CAF reached new highs. There were 122 rooms full of high-end audio equipment, over 50 booths selling headphones, software and other wares in addition and more than 5000 visitors! Plus, there was more new equipment making their North American, World or Capital Audiofest debuts than ever before. Much of that had been previously reserved for AXPONA in recent years.

Lastly, some exciting new CAF related news announcements. Due to popular demand, their partner event, Pacific Audiofest, will once again be held annually.

Software Used for System Evaluation

Let's face it. No one would ever in their wildest dreams consider shopping for audio equipment without bringing along their own, familiar software. So why should an audio show be any different? Using random, unfamiliar recordings to evaluate sound at an audio show more often than not produces misleading results. After careful consideration and thought, the following albums were chosen for and used at CAF 2025. Plus, unlike recent AXPONA shows, this event featured many turntables. (Note: in rooms featuring only streaming or having a music server, I searched for the corresponding digital releases to listen to. In the end, this proved a successful strategy.)