The Ruark Sabre-R and Ruark’s First Loudspeaker Name
Ruark began as a loudspeaker company with a model called Sabre, and many of those original speakers are still playing in homes today. The Ruark Sabre-R brings that name to the 100 Series as a compact two-way bookshelf loudspeaker, built with the same ambition as the first: a speaker good enough to keep and enjoy for many years.
The new design celebrates Ruark’s heritage without leaning on nostalgia. Four decades of work on cabinets, drive units and crossovers have gone into a pair small enough for a bookcase and refined enough for a serious system.
Finished Like Fine Furniture
Each cabinet is hand-crafted and clad in finishes more usually seen on fine furniture than on hi-fi. The Fused Walnut veneer comes from sustainable woods that are spliced and recomposed to resemble slow-growing hardwood, with unique and eye-catching grain, while Satin Charcoal lacquer offers a quieter look. Either brings understated elegance to a classic or contemporary room, and the magnetic grilles lift away for a slightly more open sound.
Voiced for Natural Sound
Ruark likens speaker design to cooking: the result depends on knowing the ingredients and how best to use them. In the Ruark Sabre-R, the cabinet is tuned to give a custom long-throw NS+ bass-midrange driver ideal working conditions, the treble comes from a silk dome unit, and many hours of listening went into the crossover so that the two drive units hand over without a seam. The result is natural, open sound that stays easy to enjoy for hours at a time.
Stands, Shelves and Partners
For the best results Ruark recommends good-quality stands, with the speakers a little way from the rear wall, although a sturdy shelf or piece of furniture works well too once the supplied feet are fitted. The Ruark Sabre-R is designed to partner Ruark’s own consoles: the Ruark R610 music console makes a complete streaming system, also offered as a matched Ruark system with the R610, and the Ruark R710 adds compact disc. Dual binding posts allow single-wire or bi-wire connection to any suitable amplifier.
Hearing the Ruark Sabre-R in London
On Wigmore Street, Audio Lounge is glad to advise on the Ruark Sabre-R, including stands, placement and amplification. The full choice of compact designs is gathered in the bookshelf and standmount speakers collection.
About Ruark
Ruark’s guiding principle has always been to design products that the people at Ruark would be proud to own themselves. Alan O’Rourke founded Ruark Acoustics together with his father, Brian, driven by a shared passion for sound, and Ruark’s first loudspeaker, Sabre, was received to great acclaim. Forty years on, Ruark still designs, engineers and voices every product in Southend-on-Sea, from radios and desktop speakers to the 100 Series. The Ruark Audio Sabre-R brings Ruark full circle, returning to that first name with a speaker made to be enjoyed for as long as the original. Browse every Ruark design.
Questions About the Ruark Sabre-R
What is the Ruark Sabre-R?
The Ruark Sabre-R Bookshelf Speakers are a compact two-way pair from the 100 Series, carrying the name of the first loudspeaker Ruark ever made. A 27mm silk dome tweeter sits above a 130mm (5-inch) NS+ woofer in a dual-flared bass reflex cabinet, offered in Satin Charcoal lacquer or Fused Walnut veneer, and the speakers suit stands or a sturdy shelf.
Is the Ruark Sabre-R sold singly or in pairs?
In pairs. The Ruark Sabre-R set contains two speakers, self-adhesive feet for shelf placement and a Quick Start Guide, with magnetic grilles fitted.
What power does the Ruark Sabre-R need?
Between 25 and 100 watts, according to Ruark. The speakers present a 6-ohm load that dips no lower than 4.2 ohms, with 86dB sensitivity, which suits the Ruark R610 and Ruark R710 consoles as well as most quality amplifiers in that range.
Where should the Ruark Sabre-R be placed?
Ruark suggests stands 60 to 65cm tall, with the speakers 150 to 250cm apart, equally distant from the listening seat and 10 to 20cm from the rear wall. A sturdy shelf or piece of furniture also works, with the self-adhesive feet fitted beneath each cabinet for isolation and stability.
Does the Ruark Sabre-R support bi-wiring?
Bi-wiring is supported. Two pairs of gold-plated 4mm terminals sit on the back of each cabinet, joined by links for single-wire use; take the links out to bi-wire or bi-amp, and connect with banana plugs, spades or bare wire.
How large is the Ruark Sabre-R?
Each cabinet of the Ruark Sabre-R stands H290 × W175 × D215mm and weighs 5.0kg. Internal volume is 6.8 litres, tuned to 53Hz, and response reaches from 45Hz to 22kHz in an average room.
What was the original Ruark Sabre?
The original Ruark Sabre speakers were the first loudspeakers from Ruark Acoustics, founded in Essex in the 1980s by Alan O’Rourke with his father, Brian, and many are still in use. The Ruark Sabre-R revives the name for the 100 Series with modern drive units and finishes.
Can the Ruark Sabre-R be used with a television or streamer?
Yes, through an amplifier. Paired with the Ruark R610, the Ruark Sabre-R becomes a complete system with streaming, radio and HDMI eARC for the television; with any other amplifier or streaming amplifier, the speakers connect in the usual way.
