🏠 💻 Computing 🕹 Retrogaming 🔊 Audio ✨ Random

SABA EA 6010 3-way Loudspeaker

Updated 7 February 2025

SABA EA 6010 3-way loudspeakers
image  SABA EA 6010 3-way loudspeakers
AudioPhil Writer Profile

by AudioPhil™

Audio Enthusiast & Vintage Gear Aficionado | Exploring the Past, Present & Future of Sound | #AudioTech #VintageAudio | Tap-tapping on the MPC One 🎧✨

Are the SABA EA 6010 loudspeakers hidden gems or just another budget hi-fi relic? Listen into our in-depth review to uncover their build quality, sound performance, and quirks. If you're a vintage audio enthusiast or a DIY speaker builder, this might be the perfect find—or a lesson in cost-cutting design. Read on to discover if these 3-way bookshelf speakers are worth your time!

Introduction

I recently acquired a pair of SABA EA 6010 stereo loudspeakers. While they are functional and were likely impressive for their original owner, I wanted to take a deep dive into their design, build quality, and performance. If you ever come across these loudspeakers at a garage sale, this article may provide useful insights. It may also be of interest to DIY loudspeaker enthusiasts looking for a budget-friendly restoration project.

The Legacy of SABA

SABA (Schwarzwälder Apparate-Bau-Anstalt) was founded in 1923 in Germany and quickly became a household name in the hi-fi world. Known for their innovation and commitment to sound quality, SABA built a reputation for producing some of the finest radios, turntables, and loudspeakers of the mid-20th century. Their designs were revered for their precise engineering and rich audio reproduction, making them a go-to brand for audiophiles and professional users alike.

During the golden age of hi-fi, SABA's green cone speakers gained particular attention for their natural and detailed sound. These drivers became highly sought after, often being repurposed by DIY audio enthusiasts looking to build their own custom speaker enclosures. Unlike mass-market consumer speakers of the time, SABA's components were built with high-quality materials, ensuring longevity and continued performance.

Unfortunately, like many legacy hi-fi brands, SABA’s audio division did not survive the shift toward modern consumer electronics. According to SABA's own words it is now a trademark licensing business. The SABA brand is now primarily used for branding rather than the production of high-end audio equipment. However, vintage SABA gear continues to command respect in the collector's market, and their loudspeakers remain a testament to the brand's once-great legacy.

SABA hifi advertisement

Condition and Initial Inspection

My first impression of the SABA EA 6010 loudspeakers was a mixture of curiosity and nostalgia. These speakers had clearly been well-loved—or at least well-used—judging by the visible wear on the cabinets and the slightly frayed dust covers. As I examined them more closely, I noticed the cabinets were constructed from 14mm particle board, wrapped in a black vinyl finish. This was a common cost-saving measure for entry-level hi-fi equipment, and while it gave the speakers a solid feel, it also meant that they were prone to chipping and peeling at the edges, which I found evident on the corners of my pair.

The detachable dust covers were another point of interest. They were made of MDF, with a stretched black cloth glued to the frame. Over the years, the glue had weakened, causing the fabric to sag and detach in places. It was a small flaw, but it added a certain rugged charm to the speakers—like battle scars from years of musical service.

Moving to the drivers, the 8-inch woofer immediately stood out. It had a classic paper cone, which is often preferred for its natural sound reproduction, but upon closer inspection, I found that one of the woofers was completely silent. Further investigation revealed the culprit: the tinsel wire connecting the chassis to the woofer cone had worn out, breaking the electrical connection. It was a delicate fix, but with careful soldering, I managed to restore its functionality.

The midrange and tweeter drivers also caught my attention. The midrange, a 4-inch paper cone driver, seemed well-placed for handling vocals and instrumental details, but its lack of a dedicated filter meant it was trying to do too much—handling frequencies it wasn’t designed for. The tweeter, a surprisingly large 3-inch paper driver, felt underwhelming. Given its size, I expected crisp highs, but it was a bit too harsh, reinforcing my suspicion that the crossover network was cutting corners.

Overall, these speakers carried the hallmarks of a mass-market entry-level product—impressive at first glance but with a few engineering decisions that left room for improvement. They were heavy at 7.2kg each, which was a good sign for cabinet density, and despite their flaws, they retained a certain vintage allure. I was eager to see how they performed in an actual sound test.

Buy retro gear on eBay
eBay affiliated advertising campaign

Sound Quality and Performance

Driver Configuration & Design

A 3-way loudspeaker is designed to separate audio frequencies between three different drivers:

  • Woofer (low frequencies, bass)
  • Midrange (vocals and mid frequencies)
  • Tweeter (high frequencies, treble)

Audio Testing & Findings

  • Midrange Driver Issues: Lacks proper filtering, leading to muddy and unclear sound
  • Crossovers & Cost Cutting: The crossover network appears minimal, resulting in unbalanced sound.
  • Perceived Loudness vs. Clarity: The design makes the speakers sound louder but at the cost of clarity.

Final Thoughts

The SABA EA 6010 loudspeakers are a decent budget option but have some notable limitations. If you find these at a garage sale, they may be worth picking up for a budget audio setup or as a restoration project.

Pros:

  • ✅ Sturdy cabinet construction
  • ✅ 8" woofer provides decent bass
  • ✅ Affordable second-hand option

Cons:

  • ❌ Poor crossover design
  • ❌ Harsh high frequencies
  • ❌ Vinyl covering peels over time

Verdict:

  • Best for Casual listeners, DIY builders
  • Not ideal for Audiophiles, precision sound seekers

SABA EA 6010 Photo Gallery

SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - front view with dust covers on
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - front view with dust covers on
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - front view with dust covers off
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - showing 3-way driver configuration
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - stacked
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - vertical stacking
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - details and features
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - details and features
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - close-up of the 8 inch woofer
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - detail view of the 8 inch woofer
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - detail view of the mid-range and tweeter
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - detail view of the mid-range and tweeter
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - 3-way bass-reflec loudspeaker
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - 3-way bass-reflec loudspeaker
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - external cabinet dimensions
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - external cabinet dimensions
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - internal build quality
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - internal build quality
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - electrical crossover network
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - crossover network
SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - electrical impedance response
image  SABA EA 6010 loudspeaker - electrical impednance response

Other audio articles you will enjoy…

AudioPhil review of the AKAI SW-125 bookshelf loudspeaker

AKAI SW-125
loudspeaker review

Sony MHC-V90DW MUTEKI Karaoke Party Speaker

Look at Sony's
tower of Karaoke

Sony SS-H311 2-way loudspeaker

Sony SS-H311
Loudspeaker

Dyson Sphere attack vector

How to attack an
invading Dyson Sphere