ausrock
Well-known member
For those here in Aust., MXL are finally being distributed here, but I'd be wary of the pricing structure and on some models seriously consider importing direct from the US............
A
alfalfa
New member
Hard to justify buying a marshall or studio projects mic in australia at those prices. Rode seems much better value.
ausrock
Well-known member
It seems that Rode and /or their dealers are openly offering better prices now to combat the influx of Asian manufactured mics.
Until recent times Rode have had the local market almost all to themselves. I know of at least two major pro-audio oriented stores locally that wont deal with them due to their past arrogance. Rode are still very reluctant to admit that they have their capsules (argueably the most important part of a mic), made by 797 Audio, who by coincidence also manufacture Studio Projects mics under the watchful eyes of Alan Hyatt and company................this kind of begs the question........."In relation to build quality, how much difference is there between the two brands".
As far as pricing (excluding Rode) is concerned, we have the distributors and their pricing philosophies (greed) to thank.
Until recent times Rode have had the local market almost all to themselves. I know of at least two major pro-audio oriented stores locally that wont deal with them due to their past arrogance. Rode are still very reluctant to admit that they have their capsules (argueably the most important part of a mic), made by 797 Audio, who by coincidence also manufacture Studio Projects mics under the watchful eyes of Alan Hyatt and company................this kind of begs the question........."In relation to build quality, how much difference is there between the two brands".
As far as pricing (excluding Rode) is concerned, we have the distributors and their pricing philosophies (greed) to thank.
A
alfalfa
New member
Yeah Rode seems a lot more competitive now. I bought a studio projects C1 a while back but now you can get a rode nt1000 for $100 less or an ntk for $150 more than a C1. I guess the more competition the better for us.
M
mgraffeo
New member
Boy, an NT1000 for $100 less than a C1??? That sounds like either a great deal on the NT1000, or a really expensive C1. In the online megadealers, The NT1000 is typically $299, whereas the C1 is typically $199.
-mg
-mg
ausrock
Well-known member
These prices were "grabbed" from a stores website in Melbourne. They are their advertised prices, below (RRP) or what is called "List Price" in the US. All are in $ Aust., approx $ US are in brackets.
NT1000.........$479 ($288US)
NTK...............$729 ($438US)
B1.................$259 ($155US)
C1.................$599 ($360US)
The advertised list on a couple of the MXLs here;
MXL603.........$269 ($161US)
MXL V67G......$599 ($360US)
Although you can probably take 20-25% of that list for our street pricing.
Go figure.
NT1000.........$479 ($288US)
NTK...............$729 ($438US)
B1.................$259 ($155US)
C1.................$599 ($360US)
The advertised list on a couple of the MXLs here;
MXL603.........$269 ($161US)
MXL V67G......$599 ($360US)
Although you can probably take 20-25% of that list for our street pricing.
Go figure.
A
alfalfa
New member
Sorry I was talking in australian dollars (since this thread was about mics in Aus).
Ausrock that was the same site that I got my prices from, though I hadnt checked recently and seen the rodes get even cheaper. I am pretty sure those prices are street prices. I havent been able to get any better than those from my local stores (or maybe I am getting ripped off).
Ausrock that was the same site that I got my prices from, though I hadnt checked recently and seen the rodes get even cheaper. I am pretty sure those prices are street prices. I havent been able to get any better than those from my local stores (or maybe I am getting ripped off).
Last edited:
P
pundit
New member
We pay more for the Studio Projects stuff here than in the US but less for the Rode gear.
BTW I saw a VTB-1 for nearly $600 Australian yesterday!
How much in the US... $179 US!! That works out to about $300 AUS. So why does it cost $600 here? Even $450 is more than enough! We're paying DOUBLE no matter how you work out the exchange rates!!
BTW I saw a VTB-1 for nearly $600 Australian yesterday!
How much in the US... $179 US!! That works out to about $300 AUS. So why does it cost $600 here? Even $450 is more than enough! We're paying DOUBLE no matter how you work out the exchange rates!!
A
alfalfa
New member
Hopefully Studio Projects will do the same thing in Australia as they did in the UK and setup their own distribution. Prices there have dropped dramatically. What do you say Studio Projects?
ausrock
Well-known member
I'll pre-empt Alan Hyatt here............
The Aust., market is NOT substantial enough for SP to invest in that kind of business structure, although I think by now Alan is well aware of the anomalies in pricing structures, and having an idea of his business philosophies, I would guess that as he is able, (i.e; as he gets time between other aspects of business), he may look into this issue.
There is apparently a "rough" formula that importers within the music industry here in Aust., apply to imported goods when determining the pricing structures. From memory, I think you can easily apply mark-ups in the region of 150%-200% and often more. They do deviate from this on occasion, but only when it will benefit their profits or when they may sacrifice the margins on one product from a range to act as a sweetener or bait.
As an example;
Fostex D160 H/disk recorders had a RRP of over $6000 Aust., when they were a current model, with an expected sale/street price of around $4800-5000 Aust. When the new D1624 was being released, the importer reduced the D160 pricing to the extent that the dealers' (music stores') cost was approx., $2200 Aust., which means that the importer was paying less than that again. Also, the importers will frequently insist that only they and not the overseas suppliers can set the pricing for Aust.
At first glance it appears that the importers of the MXL mics are sticking to the accepted industry habits.
Obviously RODE have realised that they have to change their Aust., pricing structures, although I imagine they will only do the bare minimum necessary.
The Aust., market is NOT substantial enough for SP to invest in that kind of business structure, although I think by now Alan is well aware of the anomalies in pricing structures, and having an idea of his business philosophies, I would guess that as he is able, (i.e; as he gets time between other aspects of business), he may look into this issue.
There is apparently a "rough" formula that importers within the music industry here in Aust., apply to imported goods when determining the pricing structures. From memory, I think you can easily apply mark-ups in the region of 150%-200% and often more. They do deviate from this on occasion, but only when it will benefit their profits or when they may sacrifice the margins on one product from a range to act as a sweetener or bait.
As an example;
Fostex D160 H/disk recorders had a RRP of over $6000 Aust., when they were a current model, with an expected sale/street price of around $4800-5000 Aust. When the new D1624 was being released, the importer reduced the D160 pricing to the extent that the dealers' (music stores') cost was approx., $2200 Aust., which means that the importer was paying less than that again. Also, the importers will frequently insist that only they and not the overseas suppliers can set the pricing for Aust.
At first glance it appears that the importers of the MXL mics are sticking to the accepted industry habits.
Obviously RODE have realised that they have to change their Aust., pricing structures, although I imagine they will only do the bare minimum necessary.
Roker1
New member
This is from the page you guys got the price list from:
MIC PACKAGE...RODE NTK & SE ELECTRONICS CASCADE M20 (LARGE DIAPHRAGM CONDENSER RRP $499) GRAB BOTH MICS FOR ....$799!!!!
Anyone used this Cascade mic? Any good?
I know the beer is not bad, but dunno about cascade mics
MIC PACKAGE...RODE NTK & SE ELECTRONICS CASCADE M20 (LARGE DIAPHRAGM CONDENSER RRP $499) GRAB BOTH MICS FOR ....$799!!!!
Anyone used this Cascade mic? Any good?
I know the beer is not bad, but dunno about cascade mics
S
Sklathill
Soundcard Junkie
I could be wrong but I thought the Cascade mics were basically the same as the SE Electronics?
S
SteveMcB
Just some guy from NZ
Ausrock and other Aussies,
One of the few things we get cheaper in New Zealand than you guys do is SP gear, and you could (if you want it cheaper) try contacting oceania audio here - they're the distributors and they sell it direct, so you don't get the markup of a retail store. The web-site is www.oceania-audio.co.nz from memory (no, I don't work for them, just a loyal customer since getting my C1 for close to the US price). Many of the online megastores are reluctant to ship down here (eg. 8thstreet - they were not keen at all!). But if you're after SP gear at lower prices than in Aus, try them out. As an example, a B1 is $195 NZ excluding GST (which you shouldn't have to pay on overseas orders)
Steve
One of the few things we get cheaper in New Zealand than you guys do is SP gear, and you could (if you want it cheaper) try contacting oceania audio here - they're the distributors and they sell it direct, so you don't get the markup of a retail store. The web-site is www.oceania-audio.co.nz from memory (no, I don't work for them, just a loyal customer since getting my C1 for close to the US price). Many of the online megastores are reluctant to ship down here (eg. 8thstreet - they were not keen at all!). But if you're after SP gear at lower prices than in Aus, try them out. As an example, a B1 is $195 NZ excluding GST (which you shouldn't have to pay on overseas orders)
Steve
D
DJL
Self Banned
I wonder how much it would cost to ship the mic's from the USA to Australia, it might be cheaper to have a friend in the USA buy them and ship them to you?
S
SteveMcB
Just some guy from NZ
DJL, I recently bought a pair of MXL 603's from abemusic's ebay store - shipping for the pair of mics + 2 cables came to US$33 - they were shipped in a box about the size that would hold a standard snare drum and arrived in 6 days. My total expenditure for the pair plus cables plus shipping was $330NZ (ie around $310 AUS), so for $50 AUS more than a single 603 from the australian distributor, you could get a pair with cables - I had actually seen the Aussie distributor's website - if you want'em cheap, buy from the US!
Steve
Steve
ausrock
Well-known member
Steve,
Thanks for the info.
I can back up your figures for shipping, as I bought a mic off one of the guys in the states recently and paid similar shipping costs and it took 5 days to arrive.
Thanks for the info.
I can back up your figures for shipping, as I bought a mic off one of the guys in the states recently and paid similar shipping costs and it took 5 days to arrive.
D
DJL
Self Banned
Well then, send your money to a friend here in the USA and have them buy the mic's, box them up, insure it, and ship them to you. Heck, get a bunch of mic's, and stuff the box with mic's and padding and double box it. That way you can get any mic's you want, and from any online mega-store, and only have to pay a one-time packing/shipping/insurance cost. 
Last edited:
alanhyatt
PMI Audio Group
I feel for you guys! We did open the UK office to get parity on the prices over in Europe on track with the USA, and believe me, it is working big time. While we do not have control over our distributors, all we can do is stand back and look at what the market is doing and coax them to stick with the plan.
Believe me, we do not just pay attention to the big markets. We have a program that we think works. Our distributors can make a fair profit, and so will the dealers. The idea behind this program is make sure the end user gets the mic for for close to the USA price. There is no reason why the C1 cant be close to the same price there as it is here in the USA. Yes, you have to consider freight costs and local Tax and Duties, but if you buy here in the USA, you still have to pay frieght and pay taxes and duties.
Now if the distributor buys a bunch of product, the freight costs go way down to less than $10.00 a unit. So now your at $209.00 US. Add on the local duty and tax for the importation and your there. If the distributor is taking on another 50 to 100% for profit, then it will simply not work.
So, what can I tell you guys. If it is too much down under...then maybe give Nigel a call in New Zealand at Oceania. It seems that SteveMcB has it wired, and it sounds like Nigel at Oceania is sticking to our program.
If your not buying from Front End Audio there, then I think he will get the message by not making sales.
Believe me, we do not just pay attention to the big markets. We have a program that we think works. Our distributors can make a fair profit, and so will the dealers. The idea behind this program is make sure the end user gets the mic for for close to the USA price. There is no reason why the C1 cant be close to the same price there as it is here in the USA. Yes, you have to consider freight costs and local Tax and Duties, but if you buy here in the USA, you still have to pay frieght and pay taxes and duties.
Now if the distributor buys a bunch of product, the freight costs go way down to less than $10.00 a unit. So now your at $209.00 US. Add on the local duty and tax for the importation and your there. If the distributor is taking on another 50 to 100% for profit, then it will simply not work.
So, what can I tell you guys. If it is too much down under...then maybe give Nigel a call in New Zealand at Oceania. It seems that SteveMcB has it wired, and it sounds like Nigel at Oceania is sticking to our program.
If your not buying from Front End Audio there, then I think he will get the message by not making sales.
ausrock
Well-known member
QUOTE:.........."If your not buying from Front End Audio there, then I think he will get the message by not making sales."
Alan,
I wish it was that simple, however FEA is just the importer/distributor and to my knowledge, normally wouldn't involve themselves in retail sales to the end user unless he wants to "double dip" into the profits.
The retailers who are dealing in SP gear, probably don't give a rat's arse..........the reason being that they have better profit margins on Rode mics for starters, (and probably are dealing with other importers who are actually "pro-active" and interested in improving their sales figures)............that info was volunteered by one of the major retailers in Sydney.
BTW,........still no reply from FEA on that other matter. Go figure.
Alan,
I wish it was that simple, however FEA is just the importer/distributor and to my knowledge, normally wouldn't involve themselves in retail sales to the end user unless he wants to "double dip" into the profits.
The retailers who are dealing in SP gear, probably don't give a rat's arse..........the reason being that they have better profit margins on Rode mics for starters, (and probably are dealing with other importers who are actually "pro-active" and interested in improving their sales figures)............that info was volunteered by one of the major retailers in Sydney.
BTW,........still no reply from FEA on that other matter. Go figure.
M
Mick Wordley
New member
STUDIO PROJECTS B-1 PRICE
Dear SteveMcB
If the NZ distributors can sell direct because of the size of the market, fine, in this market it works better for everyone to go through dealers, and the prices are similar.
The going price for a B-1 mic in OZ is around $229.
From shops, including GST and overnight shipping.
Whats the problem.
About to go down also.
Geez you guys are tough.
Mick
FRONT END AUDIO.
In fact if anyone would like to email me: mick@frontendaudio.com.au
I would be happy to guide youn through the whole pricing process
Dear SteveMcB
If the NZ distributors can sell direct because of the size of the market, fine, in this market it works better for everyone to go through dealers, and the prices are similar.
The going price for a B-1 mic in OZ is around $229.
From shops, including GST and overnight shipping.
Whats the problem.
About to go down also.
Geez you guys are tough.
Mick
FRONT END AUDIO.
In fact if anyone would like to email me: mick@frontendaudio.com.au
I would be happy to guide youn through the whole pricing process