werdnafaz Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) Hi guys, The Australian second hand market seems to be a little lack lustre imo unless I'm looking in the wrong areas but I'm honestly finding more interesting listings in the USA/Europe and some of the prices are ridiculously cheaper than Australia. Has anyone imported speakers from USA/Europe/Asia and what was your experience like? I am aware of import taxes etc and I understand that would also be an issue as well as cost for the shipping which could reach a high amount as well. I would love love to hear some ideas or stories or even best practice sharing and further more to that if you used a certain carrier to handle the full shipping expedition that you found to be excellent in thier delivery as it can be one thing finding a deal and another enduring I would receive the speakers in an acceptable manner and not destroyed. Also would there be any issies other than obviously power eg 110 volt vs 240 volt. For eg are the speakers set up differently over seas. I don't think this would be something but you never know. Regards Andrew. Edited August 21, 2017 by werdnafaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 The power may just need a step down transformer Tortech or something similar would be fine. I'd be more worried about the postage cost and taxes they could mount up quite a lot possible damage is an issue too. I can't see how you can say that Australia is lacklustre when it comes to audio gear unless you're talking about the second hand market isn't that more an availability issue? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Also, likely no warranty. And if there is any, return shipping would be troublesome and costly. Duties, GST, customs fees, brokerage would add 20% more for AUD 1,500 item, see this Ebay article that shows how charges are calculated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eggcup The Daft Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Where to start? Firstly, only active or powered speakers (electrostatics for example) would have power issues. Electrostatics might also need adjustment for local conditions. Passive speakers - well, there are a few things to take into account because Australian conditions are a little different. The one that comes to mind is foam surrounds on drive units, they can fail faster. Wilson build different designs of some of its speakers for US and European markets - this is for different house building construction rather than anything else, the European type is for smaller rooms and solid (brick/plaster) walls. I don't know if others do the same. You won't get warranty in most cases. The other thing is the lack of audition. Are you going to buy without hearing them? Are you after models you already know well? To be honest, I doubt you will get a better deal (objectively) importing an overseas unit than buying a new Australian built speaker at the same price, except at either price extreme. Your ears may disagree with that comment subjectively. I have no idea what you've listened to, of course... If you're after a rare vintage model, then you may have little choice, especially if the speaker you're after wasn't distributed locally. Even so, consider what spares may be needed, where you would get them from, and who you could get to repair them if you don't have the skills yourself. You will probably need a specialist removalist and associated insurance, especially for large floorstanders. That doesn't come cheap, and puts a floor under the price where it's worth it. And an international seller may not want to go to the hassle of the process. I'm pretty sure we have people here who have imported from the Japanese used market with no problems, so we know it can be done. So if you are seeing what you want, do some research, make sure you have your eyes open and are ready for any problems, and go for it. I wouldn't, but I'm the boring type Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemini07 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I'd be interested in knowing which Australian brands you've considered in light of your 'lacklustre' comment. IMO, it's the other way around, unless you are looking at high end speakers over $30k. We have numerous world class manufacturers here whose relative prices are very competitive. Plus you get the not insignificant advantage of top class advice and service, and in may cases being able to try before buying. It would help if you indicated a rough budget so members can advise you of what's around. Plus the existing gear you've got regarding compatibility. Cheers (and welcome!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 i think he's probably referring to the secondhand market Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werdnafaz Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 My apologies, I do mean the second hand market yes. Haha Hi Happy I want those B&W Matrix you mentioned!! And they are only in the USA and Europe at the moment. Thanks heaps guys guys ther is a lot of information for me to follow on here and much to consider. Specifiaclly I seem to be attracted to Bowers and Wilkins offerings and JBL 44** models. The thinking I am applying to my purchase is that in the past I have purchased PC's for 3k and most of them are somewhere in a dump at the moment. I would prefer my money to be spent on something which I can feel comfortable knowing that in future it would still hold a decent value if I was to resell it. So with that in mind I am setting the bar quite high for myself so I can really get something that really wows me. As as far as brands go I admit that I am a little ignorant as to the offerings and would need to really dive into more research but with such a large market of offerings to choose from I am trying to formulate the best ideas that I can do that I research the speakers I want and am attracted to both aesthetically and off coarse first and foremost listening pleasure. I would mainly be listening to Blues, Classic Rock, Rock, Some Heavy Metal, Jazz, Reggae, Classical, World music, Maybe a few more styles that I can't think of right now but predominantly quite. Large mixture of different types of music. So so need something thumpy as I like to hear the glass rattle sometimes Regards Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werdnafaz Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 In the past I have auditioned , Bowers and Wilkins, Elac, Wharfedal, Kef, Jamo and Focal. I went for Bowers and Wilkins in the end. Although I had read they were bright I found them to be right up my alley with the high and mid range delivery and further more to that when I got them home the low end was more satisfactory then I had at first thought after reading up about them. Out of of all those editions I have auditioned I enjoyed most was the Elac, Focal and B&W in that order for me they seem to deliver a wonderfull staging across the board in my opinion with the voice in the Elac being second to nothing I have ever heard. Must be those ribbon tweeters. So if if that helps I kind of will sacrifice low end for clarity in mid and high end frequencies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 them old 801s used to be sold around pretty often only a few years ago. been a little quiet recently. maybe do a WTB ad here. it would be so much cheaper/safer than importing a pair from overseas. they're big and heavy, ya know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werdnafaz Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 Looking around the 2-3k mark for spend wise. And yes Gemini07 sorry for misunderstanding. I meant the second hand market seems to be quite void of many offerings locally. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcathro Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Please see my thread here I believe that you can pick up some outrageous S/H bargains from overseas if you look carefully. Cheers David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werdnafaz Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Thanks dcathro, Helps me to formulate more ideas. They look crazy.. I like them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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