2. speakers
  3. 1368051437

Harbeth 30.1, odd USA pricing?

I was wondering if anyone knew why the USA importer for Harbeth speakers Fidelis AV has the 30.1 model priced so high?

Pricing in Cherry finish.
U.K. 2,529 Pounds or about $3,915 US Dollars
E.U. 3,150 Euros or about $ 4,145 US Dollars
Canada 5,000 Canadian Dollars or about $4,986 US dollars
The USA $5,990!

I understand about import duties and the cost of shipping to the USA but this still does not explain the $2000 dollar price difference compared to Europe. Furthermore, there is no solid reason why the same 30.1's cost $1000 US dollars more in the USA than they do in Canada.

Also curious is the USA and Canadian pricing of Harbeth Speakers are very similar to each other with the exception of the 30.1 model which is priced a whopping $1000 US dollars apart.

So what do you think? Is the current USA distributor price gouging on the 30.1 model? Or is there some other explanation?
mezzanine
kiddman
341 posts
 
Could be US importer is taking more. Could be Canada is really taking too little money. It could be a lot of things. I know it is hard to make money on specialty lines, so I would hesitate to use the word "gouging". Does the US guy travel more? Advertise more? Give dealers more margin? Who knows.

I would say you can choose to import gray market, or contact the importer and bring up your concerns and try to meet at a middle ground, or pay full price and live with it, or select another speaker out of frustration with the price structure. But you will not get a definitive answer on why it is why it is. And do you care? If you want to buy them then I would focus on getting the best price, bringing up what you did here with the importer.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,274 posts
 
While we're at it, I've wondered about the rather large price delta between the P3ESR and the Monitor 30.1.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
In some instances certain items are priced higher than others are to steer you away from it. It may be in short supply, changing models at that price point, and simply wanting to introduce the new version, whatever it might be called at this price, saying it cost no more than the old one did.
I can't understand why they would otherwise want to alienate the U.S. buyers unless they simply thought they could squeeze this market for some reason? If that were true than all models would be similarily priced.
dayglow
1,882 posts
 
Drudin-Have you considered the Stirling Broadcast LS3/6 Reference? Acoustic Sounds sells the base finish model for $4095. The LS3/6 with basic finish retail for (2348 GBP) in the UK which is only a $400-500 importer markup when converted to USD. I have a very strong feeling the LS3/6 would give the 30.1 a good battle. If your interested in buying the 30.1 make an effort to reseach and listen to the LS3/6. Harbeth speakers have a strong cult following thus the heavy markups. I have heard the Harbeth 40.1 and the entry level 3PESR. Both are very good speakers for the money but IMO are NOT standouts at there price points. The 30.1 may be the sweet spot in the Harbeth product line, but just remember $6k can still buy alot of speaker!
davt's avatar
davt
500 posts
 
Well this is very simple to answer. The US model sounds better. To prove it. Look at how much money you would have after buying the Canadian model compared to the US model. Less money left over for the US model, proof, it must sound better. ( I think the thing that drive cost of audio has more to do with what people are willing to spend than any consistent margin of profit model). Nice speaker though.
More to discover