KH150 Purchase - MusicStore.com (Import)

[Randyman...]

This thread is to document the process of ordering Neumann KH-150 speakers from www.musicstore.com for import to USA (Texas). I had many questions on importing these, and could not locate conclusive information - so I will post my first-hand experience here. Many have reported on purchasing the KH-120II's for import, but they technically fall under the $750 fee to raise any flags (at least per speaker from MusicStore.com). Since the 150's are well above that amount no matter how you look at them (pair or per speaker, retail or MusicStore's price), I will see what bracket they fall into, and what the total "out of pocket" price ends up being for a US based buyer.

Goal is to end up with 3x KH-150's at best price to upgrade my L-C-R setup (currently circa ~2000 Dynaudio AIR-15 Active Speakers). The US Retail for KH-150's is $1750/speaker (+ 8.25% tax = $1894/ea), and puts a trio outside my target budget. MusicStore.com sells them for substantially less due to currency conversions working in $ USD's favor, and also seem to skirt VAT fees and local sales tax. I am still unsure of what the total import fees will be, but some basic research shows Active Speakers fall into a 4% category. I'm somewhat of an international currency/trading dunce - so I'm likely missing something With the pricing, it is basically allowing the purchase of (3) imported speakers for the price of (2) domestically purchased ones (likely less once you factor in sales tax).

Anyway - Rolled the dice and place my first order tonight:

• 12/05/24 - Placed order for (1) KH-150 - Shows "in Stock" for $1239 USD, and has a flat $49 delivery fee. Paid in full via M/C.

I will await the arrival of this first unit, and proceed with the other 2 based off what happens here. If the fees end up favorable, I will order the pair in a single order - if the fees/tariffs seem unusually low - I might split up the last 2 into singles and spend the extra $49 shipping for the extra transaction. If the fees/tariffs are outrageous, I might purchase the next 2 domestically for $3788 w/tax&shipped (but that seems highly unlikely, and out of my budget after the first purchase!). Goal is to have all 3 ordered/paid for before we might see Tariff increases when Trump comes aboard in January.

Assuming you purchase from an authorized dealer, Neumann does not appear to limit warranty coverage based off purchase location against where you are when service is requested - so these should have valid US warranty from everything I have found. Another forum member indicated Genelec might not be so generous with their warranty policy - shame on them!

Updates to come.
Randy V.

 

[Ktacos]

This doesn't need a new thread.

 

[Randyman...]

This doesn't need a new thread.

Link? I found lots of KH-120II purchases (which can sneak under the $750 limit). Can you link me to the KH-150 importers you encountered? I've been eying this for well over a year and have yet to find word-of-mouth from a MusicStore customer regarding KH-150 US import fees. Thus this thread.

 

[Randyman...]

Per member suggestion, also made a post in the KH150 review thread (but not directly relevant to the speaker itself or its performance). No hits on "tariff" or "Musicstore" in that thread, and not much in general on the topic of importing to get 3 speakers for the price of 2

 

[Zzzzz...]

Assuming you purchase from an authorized dealer, Neumann does not appear to limit warranty coverage based off purchase location against where you are when service is requested - so these should have valid US warranty from everything I have found. Another forum member indicated Genelec might not be so generous with their warranty policy - shame on them!

Thanks for sharing. Interested to see how you go.

I wonder if JBL are like this regarding warranty? I think I investigated a while back and the answer was they weren't but I don't think I ever got a definitive answer.

 

[Randyman...]

For the warranty, I referenced this thread where customer calls Sennheiser directly for confirmation, and reviewed Neumann's warranty page. Seems legit

 

[Randyman...]

Not sure how accurate international tracking is via UPS, but says expected delivery is MONDAY 12/09! Already cleared Import Customs today! (Order date 12/05)

 

[Tom C]

Not sure if this really applies to this situation, but once I purchased some Waterford crystal directly from the factory in Ireland, and had the items shipped to my home. The parcel itself was held up in US customs until I paid the duty, and once the item was delivered the state followed up with a demand for sales tax.

 

[Randyman...]

Not sure if this really applies to this situation, but once I purchased some Waterford crystal directly from the factory in Ireland, and had the items shipped to my home. The parcel itself was held up in US customs until I paid the duty, and once the item was delivered the state followed up with a demand for sales tax.

Thank you very much for the input! Ouch - hope not - but 8.25% sales tax (and a possible 4% tariff) is much easier to swallow than the ~45% price increase from German pricing (MusicStore = $1288 shipped) to USA pricing with tax ($1750/speaker + 8.25% tax = $1894/ea). Even with estimated tax and 4% tariff, I would still end up saving a ton (still basically 3 for the price of 2).

Looking at the tracking parlance, I have no idea, but it would seem the "Cleared Import Customs" status suggests it cleared US IMPORT (not Germany export); and the "On the Way" to my address 6 hours later are accurate. I'll keep this updated. I'm also curious what actual impact the new administration will have on these kinds of imports - but I should have all 3 of mine purchased and delivered by then!

 

[Pearljam5000]

Why did you prefer Musicstore over Thomann?

 

[Randyman...]

Why did you prefer Musicstore over Thomann?

Hello sir!

The import purchases I ran across (not a whole bunch) seemed to be from MusicStore.com. And they have very clear USA delivery instructions (minus the tariff specifics lol) - I just felt safer going that route. Honestly no preference either way. Thomann might even have a better price by a few bucks.

I still haven't run across anyone confirming what the Germany>US Tariff situation ended up being for a speaker that is absolutely over the $750/$800 Tariff threshold - but quite a few stated the cheaper ~$650/ea KH-120II's snuck by w/o any tariffs - even when ordered in pairs that were over the $750/$800 threshold.

Toodles - RV

 

[mj30250]

Import duties for two KH 150s shipped UPS from Thomann to the US were $46 for me.

 

[Randyman...]

Import duties for two KH 150s shipped UPS from Thomann to the US were $46 for me.

“Shiver me timbers” And you purchased the pair in one transaction? So approximating 2% tariff? I was ticked-pink thinking 4%, but was expecting to be hit with something crazy like 10%-15% when they arrive due to the uncertainty - and why more people don't do this.

If nothing else, knowing you purchased the pair in one transaction and still didn't have crazy tariffs will save me $49 for shipping on an extra order (next order can be for the pair vs. two more singles) - and that's great!

Did you receive any courtesy requests from your friendly State Government requesting a donation for sales tax (like @Tom C reported)? I'm thinking my story would be "I never got a letter" unless served via certified mail. Seems overly onerous - but as much is government...

Thanks for the reply @mj30250 - you made my evening (3 more hours at work until my weekend, and a 5-day weekend at that!). I'll report back what happens with the single-speaker order on Monday or Tuesday.

 

[mj30250]

Both were shipped at once and there was no attempt from the state to collect sales tax.

 

[Randyman...]

Both were shipped at once and there was no attempt from the state to collect sales tax.

Thank you kindly. How have they been? Any standby issues or other quirks? And last Q - Is it your understanding the warranty is indeed valid in our case, and can be handled domestically (and not shipped to Germany, or worse just be denied).

 

[Randyman...]

Success! The package arrived safely today. The single speaker didn't have any tariffs or extra fees anywhere I can see! I'm fairly shocked.

Since the potential for a tariff on a pair is only $50 or so - and MusicStore charges a flat $49 delivery per order, seems to make sense to order the next pair in one go, and risk triggering a tariff (I think this shipment was just luck, but even a 2% tariff is really noting). If this holds true, then ordering all 3 at once with a single $49 shipping fee would have been the cheapest option by approx. $50.

Anyway - The speaker arrived in perfect "NIB" condition. The switches were/are a little sticky towards the bottom of their throw - but work just fine.

With a quick listen and check-out in Mono from a SPIDF source, I can safely estimate I'll be satisfied with the trio regarding SPL (once crossed to a sub around 60-80Hz). Not quite the SPL monster the AIR-15's were/are with 200w x2 and the 9" woofer - but I will survive .

With the one speaker playing - I put on a track I listen to a lot but never looked up the lyrics - and one line caught my ear and was easily understandable. Might just be the mono presentation - but it already put a big old smile on my face!

I'll report back on the next pair once ordered. If the transaction goes as smooth as this order went, maybe this will encourage others to join the KH bandwagon for a more reasonable outlay...

Toodles - Randy V.

 

[Randyman...]

Order for the pair was just submitted. Same price and flat $49 shipping (total $2,527). Hoping this larger order goes as smoothly and as quickly - but expecting a ~$50 tariff/bill this time. Toodles!

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Both were shipped at once and there was no attempt from the state to collect sales tax.

I purchased a Smyth A16 Realizer which was $4000 USD, and the import fee/customs fees were something like $25. However, around 3 months later I got a letter from Tennessee Dept of Revenue informing me I owed $425 in use tax on the purchase. So ouch. Still seems like the Neumann's would be a bargain over a US purchase. Also, doe the price include a VAT? A US purchaser should not be having to pay that. So that is something to look into with Musicstore to be certain as a US buyer, A VAT is not impounded in the quoted price.

 

[Randyman...]

Shipment is moving though the system and still on schedule for a Monday delivery after a little delay at import customs - assuming that was them assessing the fee Curious if it is a COD thing or what - will find out Monday (hoping for only 2%-4% tariff)

I purchased a Smyth A16 Realizer which was $4000 USD, and the import fee/customs fees were something like $25. However, around 3 months later I got a letter from Tennessee Dept of Revenue informing me I owed $425 in use tax on the purchase. So ouch. Still seems like the Neumann's would be a bargain over a US purchase. Also, doe the price include a VAT? A US purchaser should not be having to pay that. So that is something to look into with Musicstore to be certain as a US buyer, A VAT is not impounded in the quoted price.

Nice unit! Hoping the "Use Tax" (or sales tax) request is nothing more than a strongly worded recommendation - as 'I never got it' unless they send it certified mail with a signature. These letters/requests seem hit-and-miss from what has been reported - seemingly from more Orwellian local governments.

Regarding VAT - MusicStoire clearly specifies 0% VAT for USA orders. Both orders have adhered to this, and the first shipment had a declaration that the products were of EU/CE origin to validate no VAT charges were applicable (or similar verbiage).

Updates to come! And a bunch of re-configuring of my current system to allow the center speaker in vertical orientation. Not expected to be done real soon

 

[goat76]

I understand that everyone wants to save some money, but I wonder how the US representatives of Neumann will prioritize your loudspeakers if in need of service when they see that you did go around their distribution chain. The prices they have set for the product is likely a calculation of many things besides shipping and service based on the cost of those things in the US. Just a thought.