What began fifty-five years ago as a romantic story of man meets girl, man builds girl Hi-Fi system, man becomes the first in the country to demonstrate and sell stereo technology. That man was Alex Encel, a name that would go on to become famous in Hi-Fi both locally, nationally and even overseas.

From a single shop in Richmond, Melbourne, Encel went on to sell everything from whitegoods, shavers and his own brand of speakers. As the market-place evolved, so too did Encel, never being left behind with current trends and new technology. Encel witnessed and embraced the shift from vinyl to CD, from Hi-Fi to home theatre, analog radio and TV to digital, and then in more recent times, the shift back to Hi-Fi and even vinyl.

At the same time while the Encel retail empire grew, so to did the import and wholesale side of Encel's business, International Dynamics. 'Interdyn' has been responsible for the availability of some of the largest names in consumer electronics and audio from around the world, supplying hundreds of stores around the country.

More than fifty years later, Alex has still been involved in the day-to-day operations of all aspects of the business. A simple philosophy that according to Encel has never changed. "Quality and passion. It's that simple".

It doesn't matter who you speak to in the Hi-Fi industry, most have dealt with, worked for, or crossed paths with the Encel business at some point in their careers. Nothing is forever though, and after a long, proud innings, the bricks-and-mortar retail business model was no longer justified for Encel, and that knowlege, the resources and drive will now be focused solely on the Interdyn wholesale business.

Alex Encel's son, Sam, a former business consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers has now joined the business and combined with their existing enthusiastic team, look forwarding to steering the company into the future, and next generation of consumer, and of course, the new challenges that will present.

StereoNET would like to thank Encel for their contribution to the Australian Hi-Fi industry, and wish them all the best with their future direction.

As the doors closed at 4PM today, one chapter was closed, and a whole new one will now be written.

So long Encel Stereo and thanks for the memories.