Lyric HiFi has been uniquely ingrained into the fabric of New York living since our establishment in 1959. When clients entrust their homes to us, they become family. With a history spanning 7 decades, it is not uncommon for us to have worked with three or even four generations of a single family, tending to their systems, upgrading and harmonizing across multiple residences.
Lyric’s distinctive style can be traced back to its founder, Michael Kakadelis, who lead the company for almost 45 years. Armed with degrees in electronic engineering from the National Technical School of Athens and the Sorbonne, Paris, Mike brought his vision to New York City.
During the 1960s and 70s Lyric took the lead in designing and implementing cutting-edge, remote-controlled home entertainment systems, whose components often had to be made from scratch. Our esteemed clientele included influential figures in the entertainment industry such as Jackie Gleason and Stephen Sondheim, world-renowned conductors like Leonard Bernstein and Herbert Von Karajan, as well as illustrious personalities like J. Paul Getty, Andy Warhol and Aristotle Onassis.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Lyric had already formed close partnerships with esteemed New York interior design firms such as Paris Hadley, Mario Buatta, Albert Pinto, collaborating on numerous residences throughout the country for distinguished families such as Astor, Rockefeller, Whitney, Mellon, and Johnson. During this time Lyric also expanded to three locations across the metropolitan area
Under Mike’s guidance, Lyric played a pivotal role in spearheading the high-end residential AV movement. Talented equipment designers were drawn to showcase their prototypes at Lyric, seeking our evaluation and legendary expertise. Enthusiastic music connoisseurs and discerning interior designers from far and wide embarked on pilgrimages to Lyric, where technology and lifestyle converged harmoniously.
In 2004, with his legacy firmly established and widely recognized among audiophiles as the Dean Emeritus of high end audio, Mike Kay passed the baton of Lyric’s leadership to his accomplished protégé Leonard Bellezza. Having been an integral part of the Lyric family for twenty-five years, Leonard embodied the very essence and vision that had grown to define the company.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Lyric made a significant transition. After almost 65 years of uninterrupted operation, the physical storefront closed its doors, evolving into its present incarnation focused on commissioned installations, personalized consultations, and tailored services. This transformation allowed Lyric to adapt to the changing landscape while continuing to serve our esteemed clientele with the unrivaled dedication and expertise that we are famous for.