# World Wide Stereo

> World Wide Stereo is a privately held Pennsylvania consumer-electronics retailer and residential technology integrator founded by former psychologist Bob Cole in 1979. It combines two Philadelphia-area experience centers, nationwide e-commerce, and design-and-installation services spanning high-performance audio, home cinema, networking, lighting, shading, electrical work, surveillance, and smart-home control.

- **Founded:** 1979
- **Headquarters:** Wayne, Pennsylvania, United States
- **Founders:** Bob Cole (Founder and former CEO), Karen Cole (Co-founder)
- **Team size:** Approximately 62 employees in supplied company data; LinkedIn lists 51-200 employees. World Wide Stereo reported retaining all 87 employees through 2020.
- **Products:** Consumer electronics retail, Residential technology design and installation, Home theater and media rooms, Whole-home audio and outdoor entertainment, Smart-home, lighting and shading
- **Notable:** Survived from a 1,500-square-foot 1979 shop to a multichannel retailer and integrator operating for more than 46 years., Served its one-millionth customer in 2011, according to the company timeline., Opened a 13,500-square-foot Montgomeryville distribution center in 2014.

## Products & services

- **Consumer electronics retail** — Online and showroom sales of premium speakers, amplifiers, televisions, turntables, headphones, home-theater gear and accessories.
- **Residential technology design and installation** — Consultation, engineering, project management, professional installation, programming, calibration and aftercare for integrated home systems.
- **Home theater and media rooms** — Dedicated cinemas and multipurpose media spaces including projection, immersive audio, acoustics, seating and unified controls.
- **Whole-home audio and outdoor entertainment** — Multiroom and concealed audio, outdoor televisions, landscape speakers, lighting and property-wide connectivity.
- **Smart-home, lighting and shading** — Integrated control, tunable lighting, automated shades, surveillance, climate interfaces and app or voice control.
- **Networking and electrical services** — Enterprise-grade residential Wi-Fi, structured wiring and electrical design and installation for renovations, custom builds and some commercial environments.
- **Trade partner services** — Technology planning, engineering documents and installation coordination for architects, interior designers, builders and other trades.

## Achievements

- Survived from a 1,500-square-foot 1979 shop to a multichannel retailer and integrator operating for more than 46 years.
- Served its one-millionth customer in 2011, according to the company timeline.
- Opened a 13,500-square-foot Montgomeryville distribution center in 2014.
- Ranked No. 2 for customer service in a 2015 USA Today recognition, according to the company.
- Founder Bob Cole entered the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Earned three Best of Philly recognitions by 2019.
- Ranked No. 1 in Newsweek's Best Online Shops consumer-electronics category for 2022 and appeared on the list for three consecutive years.
- Named 2023 Integrator of the Year in the Consumer Technology Association Mark of Excellence Awards.
- Ranked No. 6 on the 2023 CE Pro 100 with reported revenue above $50 million.
- Opened a Wayne Experience Center with 21 immersive technology zones in September 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2024-05** — World Wide Stereo and Maryland-based Gramophone announced a strategic partnership; both brands retained their identities while Gramophone leadership assumed oversight as Bob Cole retired.
- **2025-09** — The company opened its Wayne Experience Center at 218 E. Lancaster Avenue with 21 demonstration zones, replacing its long-running Ardmore presence.
- **2025-09** — World Wide Stereo created a Listening Lounge at the Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance, pairing high-performance audio with the regional design and automotive event.
- **2026-07** — The Wayne Experience Center hosted the North American premiere of Bowers & Wilkins' 800 Series Diamond D5 for more than 60 guests.

## Links

- Website: https://www.worldwidestereo.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-wide-stereo
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/worldwidestereo
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/worldwidestereo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwidestereo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwidestereo
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwidestereo

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/world-wide-stereo
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-21