The demise of Smiths Sound

By Michael Jones

February 2008

Inside Smiths Sound with Phil McIsaac and Bharat Bhana at the counter

Phil McIsaac

One of New Zealand’s best-known hi-fi stores came to an end in the last part of 2007. Smiths Sound was known around the country as a quality hi-fi store, attracting visits and custom from throughout New Zealand.

Smiths Sound was established in 1958 by Barry Smith (yes, contrary to general knowledge there really was a Mr Smith involved with the store!). Phil McIsaac, the best know face at Smiths Sound, started there in 1981. 1985 saw Phil buy into the business and also saw Smiths Sound move to Mid City in Auckland. The final move, into Mt Eden, occurred in 1993.

In April 2005 the business was sold to the Eastern Hi-Fi group, with Phil McIsaac still as manager. However in October 2007 the business was closed down.

It’s was no secret among the trade that Smiths Sound was in trouble this decade. Market changes, probably combined with some poor management decisions, saw the company struggling and owning large sums to creditors. The purchase of Smiths Sound by the Eastern Hi-Fi group on 2005 was as much a rescue operation as a commercial decision.

What was surprising was that the Eastern Hi-Fi group did little with their purchase. Effectively it became another Eastern Hi-Fi retail outlet. Given that there were already three EHF stores in Auckland, a pseudo-EHF store had little chance of differentiating itself and surviving.

Many AudioEnz readers will have fond memories of Smiths Sound staff over the years. Some notable staff members include Bruce McDonald, a part-timer for many years; Bharat Bhana, Phil’s right-hand man; and the irrepressible Peter Munt, later of EFH’s Newmarket store and now in Blenhiem.

Plus of course the ever-smiling Phil McIsaac. Phil is now working with Storm Distribution, a company set up to distribute Arcam and Acoustic Energy products.

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