Quote Originally Posted by RGA
Some Canadian speaker makers are hosing Americans charging at Par (or your government is with a duty) so that price SHOULD mean the speaker sells for about 20% less again in US funds.
Actually, you'll find many, many Canadian manufacturers from all industry pretty much have to sell their products in the USA "at par", or at least very inconsistent with the currency rate...shipping costs, brokerage, and product support (ie: parts, distribution) become incredibly expensive because of the rediculous customs rules that still exist between the two countries. Both countries governments are making a killing, not off taxes and duties, but off the necessary administrative paper work that they force companies to do. (unless of course you use the two government owned Postal services, how convenient).

The only notable exception I can think of is ATI Technologies, who makes computer videocards. Though they outsource a lot of the process, but I bought my last video card in the US, cheaper after converting the dollar than I could in Canada...and this was when the Loonie was trading at 0.67 USD, not 0.84 like today.

Rather than say Canadian speaker manufacturers are hosing Americans, you should instead look at it as a home-land discount. Factor in the Canadian sales tax and they're pretty much even. If taxes were to disappear tomorrow, you could bet your left testicle that Paradigm, PSB, Energy, Axiom, etc, would raise their prices accordingly. Keep in mind, that in many provinces taxes on speakers are 14-18%...
Unless you live in Klein-country.

The question you should be asking is, are Canadian speaker manufacturers competitive? For the most part yes...though I'm not sure I'd recommend anyone drop $1000 - $1300 on the C-9's or Monitor 11's, regardless of "fair pricing".

Interesting side note, the new guy in Fixed Income here at our offices just came from the UK, where he said he paid about $2200 CDN (1000 pounds) for the Yamaha RX-V1400 receiver. Apparently his Arcam is way cheaper there though...which begs the question: "What's Yamaha putting in their British receivers that they can sell them for that price?"