I have sad news to report as highly respected industry veteran Chris Byrne has died on December 5th in Napa, California. Byrne had a long, illustrious career in audio, playing a prominent role with several key brands, including at the launch of the compact disc, when he was VP of Marketing for Pioneer Electronics. However, most in the industry know him best as co-founder of NHT (Now Hear This) loudspeakers, his business home for 30+ years.
Learn more on the passing of Chris Byrne…
Although I was not a close friend of Byrne, we had an enduring casual acquaintance, often renewed at industry shows. I found him to be a thoughtful, friendly, and gracious person. Like many long-timers in audio, Byrne has seen many trends come and go – and he always had an interesting perspective, which, even if you didn’t agree with him, you respected his intellect and thoughtfulness.
Byrne was born in Altos, Oklahoma, on August 5, 1947. He attended and graduated from Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies.
Entered Audio Biz at Pacific Stereo
After graduating with an environmental degree, Byrne switched gears, moving into audio and taking a position with Pacific Stereo in Riverside, California. At Pacific Stereo, Chris served as a merchandise manager. That transition makes sense…listening to your favorite music on a high-quality Hi-Fi system is one way to improve your “environment,” I’d say. He worked at Pacific Stereo – like many, many others in our industry – for five years.
After Pacific Stereo, Byrne joined the then-powerful Pioneer Electronics, which appointed him to the key role of Vice President of Marketing. Chris would play an important role in the successful industry rollout of the new compact disc format, which required a high level of intra-industry cooperation among competitors and other related industries.
The Most Significant Transition
The book “Perfecting Sound Forever,” by Greg Milner, included an interview with Byrne. “It was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Byrne was quoted as saying by Milner in the book. He went on to explain how odd it was that electronics manufacturers and record companies each wanted explicit assurances that the other would support the fledgling format.
His most significant transition took place in 1986 when Chris joined forces with Ken Kantor to create a high-end boutique audio company called Now Hear This (NHT). Based in Benicia, California, NHT specialized in consumer and pro audio loudspeakers, many of which challenged conventional thinking about speaker design, such as the best sound reproduction can only come at a premium price.
Chris and I were first introduced by phone in the mid-80’s and soon realized that we had very similar ideas about the future of the audio business. Chris proved to be a remarkable human who touched many lives in a positive way, certainly including mine. He balanced his deeply intelligent insights with playfulness and his consummate professionalism with authentic empathy and kindness.
Ken Kantor, NHT Co-Founder
Slowing Down With Friends and Family, With Some Consulting on the Side
In 2020, after a long career, Byrne decided it was time to slow down, and he moved on to create a management consulting firm, devoting his intellect and experience to a variety of audio and music companies…while also spending more time with family and friends.
Chris Byrne is survived by his wife, Michele Byrne, daughters Kelly and Shannon, and two grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be announced at some time in the future.
Chris and I worked together at Pioneer in the early ’80’s. We all have faults, but I couldn’t tell you what his were then or now. We reconnected on the phone and in email a year or so again. Nothing had changed.
“I found him to be a thoughtful, friendly, and gracious person.”
He was that and so much more throughout his life.
I am saddened to hear about Chris’s passing. I have known Chris since our shared days at Pacific Stereo and worked with him at Pioneer Electronics. Over the years, we stayed in touch with Chris and Michele and family. He was a true friend always displaying exceptional heart, warmth and care. He also loved the consumer electronics business with great passion and enthusiasm. Chris had an extensive knowledge about our industry, technology and was a superb marketer. I learned so much from Chris and he created his own legacy within our industry with his own company, NHT, as well as his key roles at both Pacific and Pioneer. He will be missed but will always remain in my heart. My thoughts and prayers to Michele. Kelly and Shannon.