Phase Technology Corporation Information

Phase Technology is a subsidiary of United Speaker Systems, Inc., an original equipment manufacturer founded in 1955 to produce high-fidelity systems for some of the world's most respected names in audio. United Speaker Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of MSE Audio based in Overland Park, Kan. Bill Hecht continued to serve as chairman up until 2012; and his son, Ken Hecht, continues his legacy. Bill Hecht's career began with his involvement in the development of Cinemascope stereo technology for motion-picture projection in the early 1950s. Bill worked for General Projection Company in New York, and was involved in installing projectors and sound systems in many of America's great theaters, including Radio City Music Hall. In 1955 the company went on strike, and Bill decided to use his knowledge to develop some of the finest speakers available for the new home audio market. He began building one speaker by hand per week, selling them through a local radio and hi-fi dealer in New York City, and exhibiting at local hi-fi shows. As an example of amazing prescience, his tag line on literature and in his ads was "Theater sound for the home" - in 1955! As a result of some good reviews, Avery Fisher commissioned Hecht's United Speaker Systems in 1959 to build the first Fisher loudspeakers. The result was the legendary XP-1 bookshelf system, which established Fisher as a major brand in the home audio marketplace. The first year saw Bill producing 10,000 speakers for Fisher Radio, a far cry from building one per week by hand in his garage.