sub-$600 speakers from UK

[pocoloco]

A friend is currently abroad in the UK; returning in January. I am therefore able to get him to smuggle them into the country for me :D.

The main objective is to purchase some standmount speakers that will reach into the lower frequencies (40-50hz) to provide some depth. I'm not expecting heart stopping bass just some added weight when music requires it.

They will be run 2.0 probably through a trends TA-10.2 / Dayens Ampino / Virtue One.2 or possibly some firestone/nuForce/peachtree all-in-one product. Haven't come to any firm conclusions yet; I'm constrained by time so the speakers come first.

The candidates so far are (in NZD):

EPOS M12i - ($660)

Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 ($440)

Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 ($500)

B&W 686 ($600 :eek:)

Quad 11l Classic ($680)


They are all specified to go down to 40-50hz but that doesn't really tell me much of anything :rolleyes:; I'm guessing most people wont have had any experience with EPOS/Quad but if anyone has listened to any of the other options your opinions would be great :)

[davyboy9]

It will all come down to the synergies of your room, how they're placed, what you use to drive them, the cables that connect and most importantly your tastes.
That's probably no help to you unless you can demo some at your place.
Also some may sound like crap, at first, until they've had many hours of use- (not sure of the opposite effect though).

[luckiestmanalive]

MA BX2s would be my pick. I have a soft spot for MA, having owned a pair of B3s a while ago. The reviews for the BX2 appear to be good, sensitivity is 90dB (better for low power amp), they look great, and they're as cheap as chips!

[guitardude]

Watch out for customs charges. They have recently lowered the non taxable allowance from $500 NZD to $50 NZD, meaning anything over $50.00 is liable for GST and duties....

[DodgyConnection]

Watch out for customs charges. They have recently lowered the non taxable allowance from $500 NZD to $50 NZD, meaning anything over $50.00 is liable for GST and duties....

What is the current duty percentage on importing hi-fi gear?

[40Hz]

Watch out for customs charges. They have recently lowered the non taxable allowance from $500 NZD to $50 NZD, meaning anything over $50.00 is liable for GST and duties....

I'm not sure this is correct. It used to be that customs did not seek to collect GST on anything over $400, being a $50 collection (known as the "de minimis"). This was amended so that "Customs does not collect tariff duty and GST where the total payable (tariff duty plus GST combined) on any one importation is less than $60", as a consequence of the GST increase.

The Regulatory Impact Statement prepared in relation to that change recommended that the "de minimis be increased from $50 to $60 to maintain the current landed value threshold of $399 for import consignments under which the de minimis applies." Reg 70 of the Customs and Excise Regulations was changed to reflect this, and refers to the $60 minimum, so $400 is still the trigger value for GST / duty.

I apologise for the arid post, particularly as all the speakers listed will be caught anyway (!). On the other hand, this point does seem to come up from time to time, so handy for some. Maybe.

[40Hz]

What is the current duty percentage on importing hi-fi gear?

It seems to vary (see some examples under "Customs Duty Rates" at http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/charges/feetypes/Pages/default.aspx). For eg, "compact disc players" and "record turntables" (woo yay) seem to be 0%, whereas amplifiers and speakers are 5%. You'd need to check the full working tariff document to be absolutely sure, however, and to do that you'd need several free weeks and a case of OCD to approach the challenge.

I should have been clear above, too, that the GST is calculated on the total of cost of goods + shipping + duty. A lot does seem to slip through though...

[pocoloco]

I never understood how customs worked :confused:. I've had products far over the threshold imported and not had to pay any charges, seems very hit and miss too me.

My friend has been in the UK for over 6 months so I figured he could just bring them back as a personal item? if he opens them up theres really no way to tell when he purchased them...

I noticed audio reference were selling Usher 520's for $460, alot of the reviews seem to praise their ability to put out a lot of bass. has anyone listened to them?

[davyboy9]

There's a 5% duty on speakers so you'll pay GST on the total of -the cost of the item + the postage + the duty.
Postage won't be cheap on speakers.

[40Hz]

Yeah, hit and miss has been my experience over the years too. The worst I got stung was on some mountain bike wheels, of all things...

Anyway, haven't heard the Ushers, but did a fair bit of research (the reviews are almost universally very good) and was about to pull the trigger when I happened upon some Image 401s at a great price. Terry at Audio Ref is great to deal with if you decide to inquire.

[DodgyConnection]

It seems to vary (see some examples under "Customs Duty Rates" at http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/charges/feetypes/Pages/default.aspx). For eg, "compact disc players" and "record turntables" (woo yay) seem to be 0%, whereas amplifiers and speakers are 5%. You'd need to check the full working tariff document to be absolutely sure, however, and to do that you'd need several free weeks and a case of OCD to approach the challenge.

I should have been clear above, too, that the GST is calculated on the total of cost of goods + shipping + duty. A lot does seem to slip through though...

yeah Customs are a mystery wrapped in an enigma hidden in a riddle. I can understand Duty on the product but on the postage? Rort!

Sorry Pocoloco for getting off topic.

[pocoloco]

thats quite alright...I'm just rather lost as to what speakers to purchase :confused: I guess I can always purchase and onsell if I don't like the sound ;).

I just want to have some assurances that they wont leave me high and dry at the 45-55hz range ;)