Euro Tumble

"I’m thinking Focal, MBL, PMC" 

Those brands have an established US distributor.

Do your homework on the brands that aren't discussed/mentioned here, and have no US distributor. Then contact them directly. 

While I appreciate the thought as a finance guy, I think you’re gonna find a lot of your savings eaten up by higher shipping costs to be worth the effort depending on how much you’re spending of course — think squeezing two ends of the same balloon. Could be wrong though and would be interested in what you find.

Doubt they would let you circumvent their established US dealer networks. And most likely after all the shipping and fees, it will cost much more, Best to wait a bit maybe the prices will come down, or just buy a used pair if the price is such an issue.

If you buy from Europe a speaker that does have US distribution, it is unlikely to have any warranty service available in the US. That is often part of what the distributor does.

If you buy from Europe a speaker that does not have US distribution, you will have to ship it back to Europe if any issues arise.

I would not like either situation.

I bought a new turntable from the UK and it was a hassle free experience. It shipped in two large boxes via DHL. After about 5 or 6 days in transit I got an email from DHL asking that I go to their website to pay import duty. It took five minutes to figure out and the duty was about $40 on a $4000 package. As soon as I paid I got a notification saying that the package was being processed, it arrived around 2/3 days later. The shipping cost was about $150, but that was around 3 years ago, I’m sure it’s doubled since.

Anyway, I wouldn’t hesitate to do this again. The table I bought wasn’t represented through a dealer here in the USA  so the manufacturer extended me a full warranty. 
 

Interesting and thanks for all the comments. What about used gear? Any reputable dealers in Europe that I could contact?

Thanks!

Chuck

Chuck, curious as to why/need to buy from Europe?  What brand/model makes you feel the need to by from Europe?  I get doing a Euro delivery on a BMW, Porsche etc as you get a nice romp through the country side in your new ride but speakers don’t offer the same effect.  Your $$$ you can spend it any way you want but none of the brands listed don’t come sprinkled with pixie dust to make it any more exciting of a purchase.

Go visit the country where the speaker is made.

Buy a used pair recently made.

Bring them home.

Duty is minimal.

With dollar being so strong against the euro and UK pound I can see the logic. You would be definitely better off going through the manufacturer rather than dealerships. I can highly recommend Living Voice speakers from the UK and you deal direct with the manufacturer through Definitive Audio as they are one and the same.

Also in theory products sold in the US from Europe or the UK should be cheaper if not in stock, as it is cheaper for the distributor/retailer to buy.

Your comment suggests that you have not auditioned and chosen the make and model of speaker that works for you, in your system / room.

It's not about price, but results.

If you have no idea what speakers you need, then your cost savings (if any) could compromise the result in your system/room. 

Be careful.

Depends on what you buy.  US brands are a lot more expensive in Europe.

European dealers might not wish to export to the US.

Shipping is currently very costly.

There may be warranty issues.

There will be US import duty.

You can't audition unless you travel to Europe or wish to cheat a US dealer by having him dem equipment and then not buying from him.

In short.  Unlikely to be any advantage.

I've ordered speakers from Europe a couple of times.  I was able to save quite a few grand off msrp each time, even after shipping, taxes, unfavorable exchange rate, etc.  I'm very happy with my purchases.

Goebel speakers are German made. Sounded amazing at Axpona. Not sure if there is a US distributer. 

The shipping will eat up any savings you do via currency on heavy items. However, for vinyl and CDs on discogs, this is the prime time to buy Euro. Already done this a few times lately. Italy is an excellent source, usually gets to Texas in about a week.

It's far more attractive to personally import from Europe to the US than vice versa. Into the US, imports are on an FOB basis where (as long as they are paid/enumerated separately) freight and insurance costs are not included in the dutiable amount.

In addition, VAT/Sales tax is not chargeable the point of entry - however,as I understand it, data is supplied to local authorities so the importer may or may not get a subsequent sales tax bill.

Two other points to note. It is important to check freight costs, especially for heavy items such as speaker as prices have literally gone through the roof.

Second, it it wise to buy a loudspeaker unheard? The alternative to go and audition the speaker at a bricks and mortar store, but that raises all kinds of free riding dilemmas.

Lastly, many high end manufacturers look very unfavourably on transshipping. One of the main reasons they do is that the price charged in individual markets reflects the cost of doing business in that market which include all of the logistics, distribution and product support costs. So what is cheapest for one individual in the short term may not be best in the long term for a broader cohort of consumers in the market in the longer term.

PS Gobel do have a US distributor.

MBL, PMC 💪

The big question is when will we start seeing a drop in the price for gear made in Europe?? Now that the dollar is worth more or is it the Euro is worth less? The gear coming out of out of Europe has taken a big jump in pricing over the last year or so in return the price should be dropping. If not someone is pocketing a lot more money. With the U.K. on the ropes with their economy should we not also start to see a drop in prices on British made equipment?  For one the pricing on Brit made speakers have gone thru the roof lately and for no apparent reason. Well time will tell because something is only worth what one is willing to pay for it. Go U.S.A.

Hey Chuck,\

  Grass can be thought to be greener on the other side but i promise you its not.

Make sure you have experienced the Latest Vandersteen 2sig3 Made in USA

 Laboriously matched to 1/10th of a DB and perform way better then most any Box designs.

When a Sonus Faber rep popped in one day we were listening asked me yea but how much do these cost? i said 3600 he was astonished.

Pretend that they came from France and you still have great support musical enjoyment, unique Time correct Performance without the decorations!

Best JohnnyR

Vandersteen dealer 33 years

Im currently having a friend of mine purchase Graham and Rogers speakers for me in the UK.  You can save a Boatload of cash. The Rogers 3/5A Special Edition with Panzerholz is a little over 3K....think its 6500 here.  The Graham 3/5A with Premium Rosewood finish is a little over 2K instead of the 3800 here.  I get 50% off Shipping thru FEDEX so shipping isnt that expensive at all. Everything will be double boxed and sent in 1 package (Wardrobe box). Could care less about warranty issues. Id just have my buddy take them back to the UK on one of his annual visits here if need be. If your gonna do this setup a FEDEX business account in advance. Doesnt cost anything and the savings could be substantial.