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Importing studio monitors via plane
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neuromantik
IsraTrance Junior Member
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593
Posted : May 7, 2007 17:26
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Ok, I've finally resolved myself to buying some high quality studio monitors and seeing as I make frequent trips to the US coupled with the fact that the Euro is very strong compared to the dollar, I am wondering if I can simply buy a pair of Dynaudio bm6a's and bring them in personally.
But there are a couple of logistics issues I need to sort out, and wonder if it is worth the 900 euro savings:
1 - How do you store the monitors? Carry on luggage or check in luggage? Any protection needed? Should I keep them unsealed in their original cardboard boxes? I would like to test them beforehand so I doubt it...
2 - What are the issues with customs and the generally nazi like US customs policies about bringing professional hardware? Any issues regarding that?
3 - I know I will have to buy a different fuse, anyone know where I can find them? Will just any fuse do?
4 - Has anyone ever done this? Am I the only one who doesn't want to be gouged by exhorbant high prices for audioware?
5 - A rhetorical question, how come Danish made speakers are more expensive in the EU (and Danemark) by such a big amount compared to the US? |
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illusions
Erebus
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40
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626
Posted : May 7, 2007 17:43
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I've done some transporting, kept them in the original boxes, wrote 'fragile' on the box, and it was good to go. Didn't have any problems. although those were low end Alesis 300 Euro boxes.
If your bringing in from the US to the EU, you'll possibly have to work with a lot more than just the fuse - 110v vs 220v.
900 euro difference ?? Really that much ?
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zafer
IsraTrance Full Member
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290
Posted : May 7, 2007 21:41
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answer to
-1: original box is perfect for transport, at least the one u get in suisse
-5: coz they only send the crappy stuff to the yankees and keep quality products for europe, heard also some people say they found oil under the dynaudio factory and bush said them "you give us the monitors for 2 bucks or i'll come and free u all"
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Spindrift
Spindrift
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1560
Posted : May 7, 2007 22:31
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1.
I guess they boxes will be good for transport, but unsealed is bad if you want to claim they are used to avoid import tax. I would mess them up a bit to make them look used.
2.
I don't see that the US customs would have any issues with you exporting, but your destination is in the EU the customs at your destination might want to charge you import tax if they don't think it's your used speakers.
3.
They have a switchable power supply, but you are apparently correct that you need to change the fuse to a slow 1.6A.
I guess that would be a 5x20mm glass tube.
Any electronics-parts or hobbyist shop should have them.
4.
I never been to the states nor Japan, but I know many people who like to buy electronics when they do to save money.
I have ordered via mail from the states and that can also save you a bit on some equipment even if you then will have to pay import duty.
5.
No idea. It's not the case with for example Tannoy speakers and creamware soundcards.
Either dynaudio work differently with where they manufacture and/or how they distribute or they just figure they can charge more in the EU since most equipment is more here.
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Get-a-fix
Getafix
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Posted : May 8, 2007 02:01
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My Dynaudio BM6A (MK1's) came packed really well, so they can take being thrown around, i would mark them fragile just in case..At 11KG each they're too heavy to carry on, so you will have to check them in..
Btw have you checked out the prices on http://www.playback.fr?
I ordered my Dynaudio's from there last year & saved a bundle on swiss prices..The prices have gone up however since the MK11 got released..
At the end of the day with import taxes in france (19.6%) it will come back to being almost the same price so make sure you do your research to see whether its worth the hassle..
http://www.soundcloud.com/getafixmusic |
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illusions
Erebus
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40
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626
Posted : May 8, 2007 14:09
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coffee cup stains on the top of the monitors do well at showing the customs just how used they really are  |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : May 8, 2007 16:04
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not sure if it s a good thing to buy the old one,why they cost so much now? strange move from dynaudio,now the bm6a cost the same price as the bm15a some months ago(before the new serie came out) not serious from a respected company...if the new one are not better dynaudio think only to $$$$ and don t care about their customers. |
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neuromantik
IsraTrance Junior Member
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28
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593
Posted : May 8, 2007 16:32
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Thanks for all the valuable advice, I'm afraid of import taxes but I think a couple of carefully placed stickers and scratches should do the trick...
As for savings it is quite significant, I wasn't able to find any bm6a's for less than 1000€/unit...
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : May 8, 2007 16:44
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listen to the mk1 vs mk2 before buying |
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punkah
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
210
Posted : May 8, 2007 23:41
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hey, i bought my monitors during a trip to chile, really cheap ones (Samson R-5as).
i had no problem with import taxes, but i payed a whole bunch of moneyneyney (hundreds of dollars) on the two flights back home because of weight excess . bad trip...
even those small 5" monitors weight up to 40 lbs, so you better ckeck Dynaudio website for monitors specs (and weight) and also check weight limits with the airlines, specially in domestic flights... 
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subconsciousmind
SCM
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1033
Posted : May 9, 2007 11:56
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Best thing is to ask the vendor to make a second "adjusted" receipt. like "second hand - condition used" then you show this one and pay taxes for the small amount.
And check the weight limits!!!
Btw. a good shop in US: www.altomusic.com
Most of my music for you to download at:
http://www.subconsciousmind.ch |
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zafer
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : May 9, 2007 20:35
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ever thought of dealing the price with a local seller????
it pays off if u are good at it, just bring good arguments, such as :"i find them at this price there, so if you make same price i buy them here"
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Spindrift
Spindrift
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Posted : May 10, 2007 02:55
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I would be curious what shop you found the BM6A for $900 cheaper than in the EU?
When I compare for example turnkey and sweetwater.com it's about $300 difference for a pair.
If you happen to have to pay overweight or import tax it will work out more expensive and I wouldn't bother.
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Allegoric - Psynce
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : May 10, 2007 03:52
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Quote:
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On 2007-05-08 14:09, illusions wrote:
coffee cup stains on the top of the monitors do well at showing the customs just how used they really are
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i wouldn't do that 
love my monitors more than anything in this world
subconsciousmind's idea sounds good
Truth will always guard our souls......
http://www.myspace.com/allegoricpsynce |
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illusions
Erebus
Started Topics :
40
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626
Posted : May 10, 2007 08:47
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Quote:
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On 2007-05-10 03:52, trip_on_acid wrote:
Quote:
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On 2007-05-08 14:09, illusions wrote:
coffee cup stains on the top of the monitors do well at showing the customs just how used they really are
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i wouldn't do that
love my monitors more than anything in this world
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Uh - one wet wipe and they are gone. |
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