Len Wallis Audio Celebrates Forty Two Years in Business

Posted on 30th May, 2020
Len Wallis Audio Celebrates Forty Two Years in Business

Monday 29th May 1978. A date just 18 days later than this author's birth date was the start of a new beginning for Australian Hi-Fi. But this most certainly isn't about me. It's about the success of one man, the vision he had for his business, and the industry Len and his peers forged for us today.

While the next generation of this industry are cutting their teeth and making a living in the various channels of the market, we do so with thanks to our forefathers, the pioneers of the Australian industry.

This week celebrates the 42nd anniversary of the day the doors opened, for Len Wallis Audio. Just 28 years young, the humble and modest Len Wallis, armed with only a handful of hi -fi products and a grand dream unlocked the door to a small store in Lane Cove, Sydney.

Before this, Len had earned his stripes in the audio business as a salesperson working for several years for Sydney’s MS Audio and Allied Hi-Fi.

But like many underdogs with big plans, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Len recalls his new business was not without its detractors; one of Len’s first visitors to the store declaring that the company wouldn’t see out a year of operation.

How wrong could they be? Len’s acute ear and passion for great sounding music performances were supported by his equally insightful vision of the HiFi business and, importantly, future trends. This enabled Len to evolve the company in what was a rapidly changing market.

Len Wallis told StereoNET:

The success of the business over the years is a result of putting customers first and promoting a passion for great sounding systems. It would never have been achieved without the good fortune of having a succession of very talented and supportive staff.

As a result, Len Wallis Audio has earned an enviable reputation both at home and abroad for quality HiFi products, expert service and installation and has expanded well beyond Len’s original love for 2-channel HiFi.

In fact, some of those staff have been with Len for more than 25 years which speaks volumes of his dedication to his team and the culture of the business.

Today, in his role as Managing Director Len is very much embedded in all aspects of the company’s diverse operations, which now encompasses the day-to-day retail operations, multi-room customisation and Home Theatre, Smart Home Integration, equipment servicing and wholesale.

As Len has no desire to slow down just yet, us youngins can give thanks to Len and his peers who paved the way for us and we can only aspire to the success of Len Wallis Audio and relationships within the industry that have been carved out and refined over four decades.

For more information visit Len Wallis Audio.

Related: Len Wallis Honoured by his Peers

Gallery

Marc Rushton's avatar
Marc Rushton

StereoNET’s Founder and Publisher was born in England and raised on British Hi-Fi before moving to Australia. He developed an early love of music and playing bass guitar before discovering the studio and the other side of the mixing desk. After writing for print magazines, Marc saw the future in digital publishing and founded the first version of StereoNET in 1999.

Posted in: Hi-Fi | Industry

JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION

Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP

applause awards

Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.

Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.

The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.

We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.

00009373