Are you buying now because you anticipate higher prices?

[PristineSound]

Now minidsp is charging 55% on US bound orders - 30% for China and 25% for import duties on audio equipment.

 

[JustJones]

Now minidsp is charging 55% on US bound orders - 30% for China and 25% for import duties on audio equipment. I can't find any news articles or otherwise detailing where this additional 25% on audio equipment is coming from. There is the post above taking about the now 54% de-minimus tariff but that is not what mindsp is showing.


View attachment 450630

Probably this

Pursuant to U.S. Note 20 to Subchapter III, Chapter 99, HTSUS, products of China classified under subheading 8518.40.2000, HTSUS, unless specifically excluded, are subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty. At the time of importation, you must report the Chapter 99 subheading, i.e., 9903.88.03, in addition to subheading 8518.40.2000, HTSUS, listed above.

 

[kiwifi]

Price history for the Denon X3800H processor for the past 6 months on Amazon Germany.

I'm not sure whether tariffs are the root cause of the price rises, but prices are rising. The product is manufactured in Taiwan and presumably ships directly to Germany.

 

[NADKEF listener]

Yamaha started a cashback promotion in the Benelux (Europe) from May 15 to Aug 13.
You can choose max 6 products saving you up to € 5,400 in cashback!

Amplifiers
Yamaha A-S1200, € 200 cashback
Yamaha A-S2200, € 300 cashback
Yamaha A-S3200, € 600 cashback
Yamaha M-5000, € 800 cashback

Pre-amplifiers
Yamaha C-5000, € 800 cashback

Record players
Yamaha GT-5000, € 850 cashback

Speakers (cashback per pair)
Yamaha NS-600A, € 300 cashback
Yamaha NS-800A, € 500 cashback
Yamaha NS-2000A, € 800 cashback
Yamaha NS-3000, € 1,200 cashback
Yamaha NS-5000, € 2000 cashback

Headphone amplifier
Yamaha HA-L7A, € 400 cashback

Headphone
Yamaha YH-5000SE, € 550 cashback

 

[Mort]

MiniDsp new guidance



When importing from outside USA, there are 2 cases: 1) Declared Item value below 800USD 2) Declared Item value above 800USD.
Let's cover each case separately:

1) Declared value below 800USD:
- As explained in our previous post, may 2nd 2025 saw the ending of De minimis Exemption (Order less than 800USD previously duty free). Shipments were now liable to duties up to 120%. As of 14th of May, Shipments less than 800USD are now liable for 54% duty on the declared value. There are talks/mentions of a 100USD flat fee on top of it but we haven't been able to find/get confirmation at this point of time. We will investigate a bit more shortly ASAP we can...

2) Declared Value above 800USD:
- The second announcement is that tariffs for Chinese goods was decreased from 125% to 10%. That is correct but only half the story. That mentioned tariff is actually the "add on" % to go on top of the Base Tariffs of an item based on his HTS classification code/CO (Section301) and the 20% Fentanyl crisis tariff add on. So to do the math we have:

IEEPA fentanyl tariff (20%) + May 14th new tariff (10%) + Base Tariff (section 301 25%) = 55%

Understanding the import process:
- Also explained in our previous post is the fact that starting from April 25th 2025, we can't ship to USA via Fedex/DHL unless we have a account to "prepay" the duties. In other words, unlike what we did in the past (i.e. ship and import duty process under the responsibility of the importer = the customer), we are now "prepaying" the import duties and including the cost at the checkout stage. The price quoted/paid will be the final price to destination. No added cost to you. It's clearer for everybody.
- We already shipped few orders to our US customers with the cost of duties prepaid and everything went smoothly "so far". We updated the webshop yesterday to include 55%. We'll follow up with updates from our side if any.

 

[ahofer]

The CPI has an Audio Equipment component (this is an indexed value)

BLS Data Viewer

The BLS Data Finder allows for search across all BLS time series databases.

data.bls.gov

 

[JRowland]

The CPI has an Audio Equipment component (this is an indexed value)
View attachment 451355

BLS Data Viewer

The BLS Data Finder allows for search across all BLS time series databases.

data.bls.gov

Taking it farther back in years is interesting

 

[amper42]

Taking it farther back in years is interestingView attachment 451359

Wow, that chart is on life support. Once all of us old dudes die off the phone will be 95% of what people use as audio gear.

 

[xanalog]

I had ordered few parts for my bike, about two months ago.
Today, UPS knocked on my door and was holding my package hostage...
... unless, I paid $28.25 (check or money-order but no cc, no cash) on the spot.
Odd part is that I had paid $40 for the items already, way before this 'new/novel' UPS 'customs' fee.

'Consumers are getting hit by surprise tariff bills'...
link

Misery loves company...

 

[Gwreck]

I’m using the tariffs to excuse in my own mind buying a BACH-SP ADIO.

 

[MattHooper]

I’m using the tariffs to excuse in my own mind buying a BACH-SP ADIO.

Wonderful!

The justifying module in the Audiophile brain can be powerful and helpful in acquiring equipment.

“ do the kids really need an education?”

 

[JeffS7444]

I’m using the tariffs to excuse in my own mind buying a BACH-SP ADIO.

I had no idea such a thing existed, but the concept seems amazing, very much like VR but for audio, and without a headset.

 

[Gwreck]

I had no idea such a thing existed, but the concept seems amazing, very much like VR but for audio, and without a headset.

It’s basically my favorite audio product ever.

 

[Snoopy]

Yamaha started a cashback promotion in the Benelux (Europe) from May 15 to Aug 13.
You can choose max 6 products saving you up to € 5,400 in cashback!

Amplifiers
Yamaha A-S1200, € 200 cashback
Yamaha A-S2200, € 300 cashback
Yamaha A-S3200, € 600 cashback
Yamaha M-5000, € 800 cashback

Pre-amplifiers
Yamaha C-5000, € 800 cashback

Record players
Yamaha GT-5000, € 850 cashback

Speakers (cashback per pair)
Yamaha NS-600A, € 300 cashback
Yamaha NS-800A, € 500 cashback
Yamaha NS-2000A, € 800 cashback
Yamaha NS-3000, € 1,200 cashback
Yamaha NS-5000, € 2000 cashback

Headphone amplifier
Yamaha HA-L7A, € 400 cashback

Headphone
Yamaha YH-5000SE, € 550 cashback

i took advantage of that .
I got a Yamaha AS2200 (new) for 2799 euro and now I’m getting 300 euro cashback on top of a already good price

Hope there will be more good deals like that In the EU.

To bad I didn’t have the funds for a Marantz 30n when it was under 2100 euro.

But I also got wharfedale Super Linton for 1398 euro (pair) .

 

[2Sunny]

I just ran into my first dramatic example of what I can only assume is a tariff price impact and I'm wondering what price changes others may have noted. Ultimately for me it's all about wanting to compare my Revel F226s to Ascend Acoustics ELXs. I was going to wait a year before spending the money since last month I just spent a small fortune to get where I am today, but if ELXs are about to jump in price as well, I may have to pull the trigger.

Anyways Revel F226s were $2430 and now they're upto $3850!

Has anyone noticed other similar price increases in speakers?

 

[Power Pop 23]

I believe the list price for the Revel F226Be is $3,850. Select Revel loudspeakers have been on sale. I noticed the ELAC DF63 is now $100 more at $649 each at Crutchfield and the store at ELAC USA than when it was introduced in 2024.

 

[TinEaredOne]

No more minimus...

 

[Jim Creek]

My Parts-Express speaker stands that I bought a month ago for $79.95 are now $84.95. I would still buy them even at the slightly higher price. $5 is no big deal. But, yes, prices are going up. Practally everything is made in China, Malaysia, Japan, etc

This whole tariff induced inflation is just getting started and likely to get worse.

 

[RichB]

I just ran into my first dramatic example of what I can only assume is a tariff price impact and I'm wondering what price changes others may have noted. Ultimately for me it's all about wanting to compare my Revel F226s to Ascend Acoustics ELXs. I was going to wait a year before spending the money since last month I just spent a small fortune to get where I am today, but if ELXs are about to jump in price as well, I may have to pull the trigger.

Anyways Revel F226s were $2430 and now they're upto $3850!

Has anyone noticed other similar price increases in speakers?

If buying soon, I would take a hard look at Arendal.
they are more interested in speakers, than car manufacturers premium audio.

- Rich

 

[2Sunny]

If buying soon, I would take a hard look at Arendal.
they are more interested in speakers, than car manufacturers premium audio.

- Rich

Honestly just curious and in no way meant to be negative, but wondering what makes you think Arendals are superior to Ascend Acoustics ELXs?