# Bob Cole

> Bob Cole founded World Wide Stereo in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, in 1979 and led its development from a small hi-fi store into a business spanning showrooms, custom installation and e-commerce. Inducted into the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame in 2018, he retired in 2024 as Gramophone principals Andrew Davis and Edward Gordon assumed oversight.

- **Role:** Founder and former CEO at World Wide Stereo; retired in 2024
- **Organizations:** World Wide Stereo, ProSource
- **From:** Long Branch, United States
- **Education:** BA in psychology, LaSalle College, Master’s degree in clinical psychology, Temple University
- **Known for:** Built a business spanning retail, custom installation and e-commerce., Consumer Technology Hall of Fame inductee, 2018., CE Pro Masters honoree, 2021.

## Career timeline

- **1979** — Opened an independent World Wide Stereo store in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania.
- **1980** — The company dates its first custom installation to this year: car speakers near a customer’s hot tub.
- **2008** — Daughter Emily joined the business and launched its transactional online store.
- **2018** — Inducted into the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame.
- **2021** — Recognized in CE Pro’s Masters class.
- **2024** — Retired as Gramophone’s Andrew Davis and Edward Gordon assumed oversight.

## Achievements

- Built a business spanning retail, custom installation and e-commerce.
- Consumer Technology Hall of Fame inductee, 2018.
- CE Pro Masters honoree, 2021.

## Latest updates

- **2024-01** — Published reflections on his 46th CES visit, discussing artificial intelligence and transparent displays.
- **2024-05** — A Gramophone partnership announcement reported his retirement and the transfer of oversight to Andrew Davis and Edward Gordon.

## Links

- Website: https://www.worldwidestereo.com

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/bob-cole
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15