Saras Model 40 Speakers

[Debob Brown]

Hey everyone,

I have myself a pair of Saras model 40 speakers I inherited a few years back. I've been trying to look up information on the model 40, and am finding nothing. Even Google seems to be having a hard time. I know Saras is a petty obscure brand, but that surprises me a bit. I was hoping there is a brain on this forum that maybe had more information.

 

[swechsler]

We love pictures here. If you can, post some decent size pics of back and front, with and without grilles. Even if we're not familiar with the model we can usually infer some useful info.

And welcome to AK.

 

[Debob Brown]

Thank you!
I took a few pictures that I hope will help (or at least be interesting to you all).

 

[swechsler]

Interesting. The midrange is a Philips AD5061, it was made in several different versions and was used in many, many different speakers. The tweeter, with its concave dome and Masonite faceplate, bears a strong resemblance to the original EPI/Epicure dome tweeter (although it's definitely not the same). Unfortunately, if you search google for masonite dome tweeter, you'll only get a bunch of links to and pics of EPI and Genesis tweeters. A google image search for "saras of america" brings up several other models with the same tweeter, so it's possible that it was their own design. The woofer could also be a Philips, although I'm not sure of that. The thickness of the outside of the frame suggests that it's cast rather than stamped (this is a good thing) and I don't know if Philips made any cast frame woofers.

At any rate, from the drivers they would appear to be a high quality pair of speakers. How do they sound?

ETA: According to Huw of Human Speakers (specializing in EPI and Genesis repairs), these were made in California.

 

[hornbostel]

Welcome to AK. And thanks for the pics of the Saras 40s.

I have a pair of Saras 10s which was the ‘smallest’ speaker made by Saras, a two-way with 10” woofer and the same Masonite inverted tweeter. It’s actually not a small speaker at all weighing nearly 50 lbs each! The cabinets are solid walnut and thick. No veneer.

The tweeter as far as I can tell is exactly the same as the EPI tweet. Here’s a pic of my EPI M110s along with the Saras tweet. The voice coil wires enter at different places but the dome and the suspension are identical.

I recapped and refurbished my Saras 10s. They are easily one of the best sounding speakers I’ve owned. And like many on AK I’ve owned a lot!

I currently run the Saras 10s in my living room which is fairly large ~20x40x9’. The Saras have no trouble at all filling the space and the bass is solid and deep. It amazing what comes out of these speakers. A real gem.

I hope that you plan to restore your 40s and post the progress here. I’d be curious to see the crossover in them. The crossover in my 10s was really interesting and comprised of high quality components.

 

[swechsler]

The tweeter as far as I can tell is exactly the same as the EPI tweet. Here’s a pic of my EPI M110s along with the Saras tweet. The voice coil wires enter at different places but the dome and the suspension are identical.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that the Saras tweeter was a copy of the EPI, but I'm close to 100% positive that they are completely different drivers. EPI made their own drivers and I'm pretty sure they didn't sell them to anyone else. The Saras speakers were made in the 1980s and EPI stopped using masonite for their tweeters in the mid 1970s. It's possible that Saras designed their version to be different enough from EPI's so that they wouldn't be accused of copying them (I don't know if EPI were the first to use an inverted dome, but that design is still being used today by several different manufacturers, although looking nothing like the EPI version).

 

[hornbostel]

Saras speakers were produced at least as early as the mid-70s. My 10s are circa 1975-1976. The initial models were the 10 (10" 2 way), 20 (12" 2 way) and 30 (12" 3 way). I don't know when the OPs 40s were produced, but it looks just like the original Saras 30.

 

[swechsler]

I checked a few issues of the Audio Magazine Annual Equipment Directory (October) archive and couldn't find any mention of this particular model (there are other Saras speakers, though). The input connection screws are of a style used in the mid 70s or earlier. The serial number suggests a low manufacture volume (although it's possible that OP got one of the earlier ones).

 

[Columbo]

SARAS made their own proprietary drivers. The midrange driver in your speaker has been replaced with non-OEM. The woofer and midrange frames were stamped steel. Later on in production, they made a satellite-sub system too. They were all very good sounding speakers in spite of not looking like they are made of any exotic materials. Replacement drivers do come up on ebay periodically , but very rarely, and likely to not have been tested properly.

 

[JayTaylor]

Thank you!
I took a few pictures that I hope will help (or at least be interesting to you all).

These are almost identical to mine. Picked them up about a year or so ago. They sound excellent, just too big to be setup all the time.

 

[JayTaylor]

I tho

These are almost identical to mine. Picked them up about a year or so ago. They sound excellent, just too big to be setup all the time.

I thought I would add this. It is the spec sheet for the SARAS Model 30 3-way suspension speaker. Hope it is helpful.

 

[Proconsul]

I have a pair of SARAS 20 speakers, essentially the same configuration as the Saras 10 pictured in prior posts but with 12 inch woofers. I am the original owner, and have the original boxes and packing material. After graduating from college in 1973, I returned home and -- with a degree in literature and philosophy (ah, the 60's/70's) -- took a job with ALCO Home Electronics in the Los Altos/Mountain View area south of San Francisco as a HiFi/TV salesman. We carried SARAS speakers, which impressed me so I bought a pair on my employee discount. And I've had them ever since. Other speakers have come and gone but I've got these hooked up as a I write. Re: the tweeter -- we were told by the sales rep that Saras had independently developed their tweeter which may have pre-dated the EPI tweeter; it's not my impression that SARAS copied the EPI unit. As noted by "hornbostel" the cabinets are very substantial and beautifully finished. If a pair come your way, give them a listen.