Saras speakers
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Not much info out there on Saras speakers. They were in business for a short time based somewhere in California. They compared favorably to the best of that period as the local hifi outlet did not hesitate having them go one on one with the best in their class. I believe there were three models, the 10,20 and 30 : yours being the top of the line. I remember hearing them and they slew many comers of the day. Enjoy
Columbo
Well-Known Member
Using the search feature will lead you to some more threads on SARAS speakers. I'm not sure where you live and how the speakers wound up out there because they were not widely distributed. One owner on here got his from an elderly guy who relocated to another state. GOOD FIND!!
I was just given a pair of Saras Model 20 speakers. They are in fairly rough shape on the cabinets, with some water damage along the bottom joint. That's too bad because otherwise I think the cabinets could be refinished. Very interesting to see they are so obscure. I'll add some photos soon. I also was given a pair of KLH 17s, which are better candidates for restoration. Any ideas on either of these?
I have a pair of Saras Model 30's, the bottom pair of speakers in this photo (top pair are Advent Maestros):
http://rcgldr.net/game/cr04.jpg
I live in southern California. These were sold in a few specialty shops, like the Ear Drum near Santa Monica. I got mine used from Henry Radio in Orange County, they had been used in a Tower Records store.
I don't have owner's manual, but the specs as I remember: 200 watt RMS max power, 500hz crossover from woofer to mid-range. I don't remember crossover to the 3/4" reverse dome tweeter. The closest speaker to these at the time was the Yamaha 1000.
Since these were custom made, if I ever need to replace components for these, any recommended shops?
http://rcgldr.net/game/cr04.jpg
I live in southern California. These were sold in a few specialty shops, like the Ear Drum near Santa Monica. I got mine used from Henry Radio in Orange County, they had been used in a Tower Records store.
I don't have owner's manual, but the specs as I remember: 200 watt RMS max power, 500hz crossover from woofer to mid-range. I don't remember crossover to the 3/4" reverse dome tweeter. The closest speaker to these at the time was the Yamaha 1000.
Since these were custom made, if I ever need to replace components for these, any recommended shops?
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Columbo
Well-Known Member
There are no sources for replacement drivers. Period. And finding a donor is gonna he hard as well. Rubber surrounds could be replaced though.
I found that even though the tweeters and midrange drivers look the same in several models (even the same model, but a different year, or whenever he felt like changing them), they have different impedances.
I have a scanned copy of the sales brochure for the 10,20,30, and the ST-200. Send me a PM with your email address and I will try to send them to you. The scanner left some streaks, but it's the best I could do. Files are too big to post here and I don't have a photo-host, or whatever you call it.
I found that even though the tweeters and midrange drivers look the same in several models (even the same model, but a different year, or whenever he felt like changing them), they have different impedances.
I have a scanned copy of the sales brochure for the 10,20,30, and the ST-200. Send me a PM with your email address and I will try to send them to you. The scanner left some streaks, but it's the best I could do. Files are too big to post here and I don't have a photo-host, or whatever you call it.
Otis Records
Active Member
In the 70's a friend of mine came in to a little bit of dough and wanted to buy a nice sound system. We were both teenagers and did not know much, but I steered him away from the big fullpage ad in the Sunday papers store and took him to a small high-end shop in West L.A. Can't remember the name, but they had a little more of a hippie vibe than a super pretentious audiophile thing going on. Think it was on Barrington and Santa Monica?
He did not have a lot to spend and we plainly asked for the best bang for the buck. Ended up with a AR TT with a top cartridge, some boutique intergrated amp I cannot remember the name of, and a pair of Saras large bookshelf speakers. It sounded fantastic. I remember us blasting Marquee Moon (which had just come out) and some older Genesis until the upstairs neighbor threatened to call the cops.
Anyway, not a lot of facts on Saras here, but I do remember they sounded really good, and there was no hype invloved at the time.
He did not have a lot to spend and we plainly asked for the best bang for the buck. Ended up with a AR TT with a top cartridge, some boutique intergrated amp I cannot remember the name of, and a pair of Saras large bookshelf speakers. It sounded fantastic. I remember us blasting Marquee Moon (which had just come out) and some older Genesis until the upstairs neighbor threatened to call the cops.
Anyway, not a lot of facts on Saras here, but I do remember they sounded really good, and there was no hype invloved at the time.
I did a simple search for 'saras', and came up with a number of threads, this one being fairly imformative. I know there are others out there on AK, as I've read about this manufacturer several times here over the last few years.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=91116
I skimmed through the thread and saw what seemed like some good information there. As I mentioned, with a little more effort, I'm sure there are other threads out there that provide more information as well.
John
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=91116
I skimmed through the thread and saw what seemed like some good information there. As I mentioned, with a little more effort, I'm sure there are other threads out there that provide more information as well.
John
Columbo
Well-Known Member
I think that was the Ear Drum, mentioned earlier. Cool place!
Purchased a pair of Saras 30's back in 1977 at the Stereo Hi Fi Center, I think on Washington Blvd. Glenn Yingling was the salesman. My brother bought a pair of the 20's and they are still in use at my sisters home. The speakers were made by Rudy Stoklos, the father of beach and indoor volleyball player legend... Randy Stoklos. I killed a tweeter on one of the speakers and had to visit the shop and that is when I met Rudy and found out about the relationship of his son. I played against him indoor while in college. Anyway, still have the speakers but they need some work on the crossover electronics. Loved their sound but they were lacking in a little on the bass side. Anyone know who might work on these? I guess I could contact his son....
Tronk
AKA Cheapo
Great story and welcome to AK.
Thank you! They were the first high end items I purchase after my family's home burned down in the Sycamore Fire in Santa Barbara. Started from scratch and had to re-buy a lot of records! My father owned a radio station and I lost many first print 45's of the Beatles and Beach Boys. Glenn Yingling was the man who told me about this new tech doming...the CD and that was in 1979 or so. Oh, and I still have the poster of your photo with the sound blowing everything...
Tronk
AKA Cheapo
I thought the Maxell blown away guy was the coolest thing when it came out.
teal'c
Nuclear Cardiac Parent
Unless you want them redesigned, crossovers are easy, so pretty much anyone that can solder. Often the hardest part is getting them out of the cabinets, or working through the woofer hole..
Putting your location in your info will let people know the area where you're looking.
John Lewis
New Member
Wow! I bought my 30's from Glenn at Stereo Hi-Fi Center in 1977 also. The shop was on Sepulveda near the 91 freeway. I purchased them along with a Thorens TD145MK turntable with a Sonus Blue Label cartridge and a Luxman receiver. I still use the table and the Saras speakers today. I am having a problem with the mid and tweeter cutting out on one of them. I suspect it's a problem with the crossover. If anyone has any advice on repairing this, I would appreciate it. Other than the cutting out problem, these speakers still sound great.
rkay5
Active Member
I have a pair of Model 30 that my dad got in the early 70's I think. One of the speaker has 4 blown caps in the crossover that I have removed. The caps that are blown out are in parallel and so I have cut them out of the crossover and the tweeter will not work now.What I need is a drawing of the crossover to help with repair.
I plan on replacing the caps in both speakers. So if anyone can help with a drawing of the crossover A big thank you
I plan on replacing the caps in both speakers. So if anyone can help with a drawing of the crossover A big thank you
Columbo
Well-Known Member
Being such a small company, I seriously doubt there is a schematic floating around. But someone who owns them could maybe help with photos, etc. I no longer have my 30s or 30As
One of my 30s had an intermittent mid-range when new. Turned out to be a loose crimp connector... the wire just fell out of the crimp. Sloppy work.
One of my 30s had an intermittent mid-range when new. Turned out to be a loose crimp connector... the wire just fell out of the crimp. Sloppy work.
hornbostel
Well-Known Member
Any chance that you could send me a scan for the Model 10? I am currently working on a pair.
