Wharfedale Speakers Get New U.S. Distribution Company

By Joseph Palenchar On Jan 15 2013 - 11:53am

From left: Sound Solutions founder Walter Schofield; Steve Un, director of global sales and product planning for the international hi-fi division of Wharfedale parent IAG; and Wendy Zeng, international sales manager, Wharfedale Hi-Fi.

Wakefield, Mass. – Wharfedale has a new exclusive U.S. importer, Sound Solutions.

Sound Solutions is a new company founded by Walter Schofield, the audio-industry veteran who was one of two principals in Sound Imports, the company that previously imported Wharfedale. The new company, which Schofield founded with a new partner, is better capitalized and will be better able to able to provide dealers with inventory on a more timely basis, and grow the brand, Schofield said.

The 80-year-old speaker brand is owned by International Audio Group (IAG), which also owns the Mission, Quad, Luxman and Audio Lab audio brands, among others. Only Wharfedale is currently marketed in the U.S.

Sound Import had been marketing Wharfedale since 2007.

Schofield’s audio-industry experience extends over three decades and includes positions at Mark Levinson and Meridian.

At International CES, Wharfedale displayed multiple speakers, including its latest, the Ultra Power Cube subwoofers at a suggested $1,599-suggested and $1,199. Other new products are planned for later in the year.