Euro Tumble


With the euro and dollar worth the same for the first time in 2 decades, I’m thinking of buying my speakers from Europe and importing them into the USA.

Does anyone have any experience about which European website to use that ships to the USA?

I’m thinking Focal, MBL, PMC and I’m sure I’m missing lots of others.

Does anyone know how duty works?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

Chuck 

 

chweiner1990

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.