The Sabre-R is Ruark Audio’s return to dedicated loudspeaker design, reviving the name of the company’s original Sabre speaker first launched in 1985. Sitting within the 100 Series alongside the R610 Music Console, the Sabre-R is a compact passive bookshelf speaker designed to work with any integrated amplifier or streaming amplifier delivering between 25 and 100W into its 6Ω nominal load.
Drive Units and Crossover
The Sabre-R is a two-way bass reflex design crossing over at 1.9kHz. The tweeter is a 28mm Ruark silk dome unit, while the mid/bass driver is a 130mm (5-inch) Ruark NS+ woofer built around a treated natural fibre cone with a four-layer voice coil and long-throw precision cast motor. Ruark describes the crossover as extensively refined to achieve a seamless transition between the two drivers.
Cabinet and Port Design
The cabinet is a damped and braced wood composite construction with an internal volume of 6.8 litres. A double-flared reflex port on the rear panel is tuned to 53Hz, contributing to a typical in-room frequency response of 45Hz to 22kHz. Sensitivity is 86dB at 2.83V/1m, with a minimum impedance of 4.2Ω. The speakers are suitable for bookshelf or stand mounting.
Connections
Two pairs of gold-plated binding posts on the rear panel support both single-wire and bi-wire connection, giving the option to run separate cables to the tweeter and woofer sections of the crossover.
Finish and Construction
The Sabre-R is available in two finishes: Satin Charcoal lacquer with walnut slat trim, or Fused Walnut veneer with a mottled fabric grille. Ruark’s veneers use sustainably sourced woods that are skilfully spliced and recomposed to resemble slow-growing hardwoods. The grille is a removable magnetic frame fitted with acoustically transparent fabric. Each speaker weighs 5kg and measures 290 × 175 × 215mm (H × W × D), extending to 245mm deep with feet and cables. Sold as a matched pair.
What the Press Says
- "Charmingly musical and agile small speakers." — What Hi-Fi? ★★★★☆ (June 2025)
- Hi-Fi Choice Editor's Choice
| Speaker Type | 2-way bass reflex bookshelf |
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| Tweeter | 28mm Ruark silk dome |
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| Woofer | 130mm (5") Ruark NS+ treated natural fibre cone |
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| Crossover Frequency | 1.9kHz |
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| Frequency Response | 45Hz–22kHz (typical in-room) |
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| Impedance | 6Ω nominal (minimum 4.2Ω) |
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| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
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| Amplifier Power | 25–100W recommended |
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| Cabinet Volume | 6.8 litres |
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| Port Tuning | 53Hz (double-flared reflex) |
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| Connections | Two pairs of gold-plated binding posts (single-wire or bi-wire) |
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| Grille | Removable magnetic frame with acoustically transparent fabric |
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| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 290 × 175 × 215mm (245mm with feet/cables) |
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| Weight | 5kg each |
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| Sold As | Pair |
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| Finishes | Satin Charcoal lacquer; Fused Walnut veneer |
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| Also Available As | Fused Walnut |
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