There's no way I was the only one. I had a lot of fun wandering about listening to systems I could never afford. One of my favorite rooms was the ABX Audiophile Society, which had DIY speakers that were not crazy expensive. I was very impressed!
I'd highly recommend anyone in the Seattle area to check out the last day tomorrow. We'll worth the $25 fee. It does help that I live within walking distance of the venue.
I'd highly recommend anyone in the Seattle area to check out the last day tomorrow. We'll worth the $25 fee. It does help that I live within walking distance of the venue.
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Here's some pics for fun.
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Thanks for posting your pictures. I've got a few here that didn't turn out too bad.
My personal favorite was the ACA Seraphim - very musical, smooth, clear and detailed.
Kudos for innovation - the Fourier Transform speakers provided extremely detailed sound with the unusual up-firing open stack. These employed individual dsp processing for each driver operating below 6 kHz (IIRC). The pile of spaghetti wiring seemed to make me hungry.
It's always fun to check out horns.
YG and Estelon cabinet designs were interesting to look at, and had big sound.
Vanatoo has amazing offerings. Thir bang for the buck is unequaled - very affordable.
My personal favorite was the ACA Seraphim - very musical, smooth, clear and detailed.
Kudos for innovation - the Fourier Transform speakers provided extremely detailed sound with the unusual up-firing open stack. These employed individual dsp processing for each driver operating below 6 kHz (IIRC). The pile of spaghetti wiring seemed to make me hungry.
It's always fun to check out horns.
YG and Estelon cabinet designs were interesting to look at, and had big sound.
Vanatoo has amazing offerings. Thir bang for the buck is unequaled - very affordable.
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I agree with you @Dave R that if I recommended speakers to buy to a friend or family member (none of which are audio obsessed like those in attendance) that were presented at the show, the Vanatoo offerings were pretty special. They are "all in one" speakers so the amp and inputs are all built in. It reminded me of the Linkwitz LXmini setup, but all in one off the shelf.
If money were no option, my picked based out of the bunch at the show would be the Alta Audio Aphrodite, but they are unobtainable price point.
The DIY speakers from ABX (post #2) would be my choice if I ever had the energy to try and build a system like those at the show (near zero chance I'd ever have that sort of desire to do that though).
I've never been to an audio show like that were crazy expensive systems are set up for listening. It was fun to attend since it was so easy for me (5 minute drive from home). However, I love DIY approach and there's an enjoyment factor that building something yourself provides that just makes the listening experience "mo-special".
If money were no option, my picked based out of the bunch at the show would be the Alta Audio Aphrodite, but they are unobtainable price point.
The DIY speakers from ABX (post #2) would be my choice if I ever had the energy to try and build a system like those at the show (near zero chance I'd ever have that sort of desire to do that though).
I've never been to an audio show like that were crazy expensive systems are set up for listening. It was fun to attend since it was so easy for me (5 minute drive from home). However, I love DIY approach and there's an enjoyment factor that building something yourself provides that just makes the listening experience "mo-special".
I was shocked by how small the show was this year. I exhibited in 2022 and it seemed like the show this year was about half the size of the show in 2022. I wonder how that'll play out. I know that Lou has decided to have PAF be a biannual show, so the next one will be in 2026.
Tom
Tom
If you can make it to Kirkland on Oct. 5th, you can check out some DIY speakers at the Puget Sound speaker contest.
(Free admission to public)
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-speaker-contest-for-2024.416557/post-7768354
I enjoyed the event. Got there Friday in time for the live music which I enjoyed both nights. Made to every room a few had the magic dust going. Favorite was the Dolce Audio/ABX room, speakers, amps, playback, everything. The circular slot loaded 18 inch woofer gave some real impact to open baffle bass and the dipole compression driver gave a nice open realism, and they are diy friendly. Planet Venus Audio had a software demo that was impressive over a very nice headphone set up. Like every audio show I've ever been to the stack of gear in many rooms was obviously aimed at people who could afford a 6 figure price tag, fun to explore and see/hear what they are doing. On the other hand some relatively affordable stuff to enjoy listening to as well. Glad I went.
I also want to share that I went back on Sunday as my daughter was not interested in going to her swim lesson, but to my suprise she said "Yes, I want to go to Ascific Aidio Fest" when tossed out the option. She knew I was gone the day prior to the event, so I guess she was curious what I had been off doing the day prior. So we packed up our backpacks and headed out not really knowing how this was gonna turn out.
The first room we walked into (Alta Audio) we sat down in the front row, right in the center. Immediately the gentleman who was demoing the system (Hans) came up, knelt down in front of my daughter and asked, "What would you like to listen to?" She thought for a few seconds (mind you were talking about a preschooler here) and said "Let it go". Internally I rolled my eyes as I've tried unsuccessfully to avoid that song becoming an obsession. I stepped in and said, "It's OK, she likes lots of music, how about 'Dire Straights - Walk if Life' " (it's a song we play a lot and dance to at home). Hans quickly put on Walk of Life and we sat quietly listen to the song. About 3/4 of the way through, the music stopped...
"Whoops" Hans said. He had been looking up 'Let it Go' and accidentally started it while trying to que it up to be the next song. My daughter smiled as she looked up at me and we listened to "Let it Go" on $100k system as my daughter wiggled and giggled happily in her chair (front and center of course).
It was such a great first room experience I was walking on cloud nine the rest of the day. My daughter had more fun riding the elevators up and down to the 14th floor than all the listening rooms, but that didn't matter to me. We shared an experience that day and she eventually got the name right...."Pacific Audio Fest".
Thanks Hans!!! Wherever you are. That experience was a true gift.
It's a memory that will stick with me for life.
P.S. I don't think I'll mind listening to "Let it go" anymore as it fills me with joy remembering daddy daughter day at Pacific Audio Fest.
The first room we walked into (Alta Audio) we sat down in the front row, right in the center. Immediately the gentleman who was demoing the system (Hans) came up, knelt down in front of my daughter and asked, "What would you like to listen to?" She thought for a few seconds (mind you were talking about a preschooler here) and said "Let it go". Internally I rolled my eyes as I've tried unsuccessfully to avoid that song becoming an obsession. I stepped in and said, "It's OK, she likes lots of music, how about 'Dire Straights - Walk if Life' " (it's a song we play a lot and dance to at home). Hans quickly put on Walk of Life and we sat quietly listen to the song. About 3/4 of the way through, the music stopped...
"Whoops" Hans said. He had been looking up 'Let it Go' and accidentally started it while trying to que it up to be the next song. My daughter smiled as she looked up at me and we listened to "Let it Go" on $100k system as my daughter wiggled and giggled happily in her chair (front and center of course).
It was such a great first room experience I was walking on cloud nine the rest of the day. My daughter had more fun riding the elevators up and down to the 14th floor than all the listening rooms, but that didn't matter to me. We shared an experience that day and she eventually got the name right...."Pacific Audio Fest".
Thanks Hans!!! Wherever you are. That experience was a true gift.
It's a memory that will stick with me for life.
P.S. I don't think I'll mind listening to "Let it go" anymore as it fills me with joy remembering daddy daughter day at Pacific Audio Fest.
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