Sovol SV06 ACE Review: The Budget Klipper Beast or a Noisy Nuisance?

The Sovol SV06 ACE is a high-speed, open-source 3D printer that aims to deliver advanced features at an affordable price. It caters to users who value the capabilities of Klipper firmware and the flexibility of an open ecosystem, but it also comes with certain considerations. This review will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the SV06 ACE, helping you decide if this budget-friendly Klipper 3D printer is the right choice for your printing needs.

Pros: 

• Exceptional Printing Speed: The SV06 ACE boasts an impressive maximum print speed of 600mm/s and an acceleration of up to 20,000mm/s². This allows for incredibly fast print times, significantly boosting production efficiency. Users report reliably achieving speeds of 250-300mm/s with excellent quality.
• Vanilla Klipper Firmware: A major highlight is the inclusion of vanilla Klipper, offering powerful computing performance with a 64-bit chip. This open-source nature provides users with immense flexibility for customization, tuning, and access to advanced features through interfaces like Mainsail Web.
• Robust and Enhanced Structure: Compared to its predecessor, the SV06 ACE features a significantly upgraded frame. The Z-axis guide rods have been increased from 8mm to 10mm for enhanced structural stability, leading to more precise and flawless prints. The X and Y axes also feature a dual-axis profile with metal bearings and tracks, improving reliability, reducing noise, and increasing durability.
• Fully Automatic Bed Leveling: The printer includes a fully automatic bed leveling system using a pressure sensor, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and ensuring perfect first layers. This "one-click self-check" simplifies the setup process for beginners.
• All-Metal Hotend and Direct Drive Extruder: Equipped with a 300°C all-metal hotend and a planetary dual-gear direct drive extruder (1:7.5 gear ratio), the SV06 ACE supports a wide range of filaments, including PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS, offering versatility for various printing projects.

• Real-time Monitoring and Connectivity: The printer supports remote control and monitoring via the Obico App, allowing users to oversee prints from anywhere via Wi-Fi. It also offers multiple connectivity options, including USB, Wi-Fi, and LAN.
• Easy Assembly and OTA Updates: The SV06 ACE is designed for quick assembly, with users often reporting setup times of 15–30 minutes. It also simplifies updates with over-the-air (OTA) upgrades, making it easy to install the latest features without technical skills.
• Built-in Camera (SV06 Plus ACE): The larger SV06 Plus ACE variant includes a built-in camera for real-time monitoring, a convenient feature for keeping an eye on prints remotely.
• Intuitive UI: The 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and control the printing process.

Cons: 

• Significant Noise Levels: A common complaint across both the SV06 ACE and SV06 Plus ACE is the loudness of the fans, particularly in the electronics box and power supply. Users often describe them as "absurdly loud," necessitating placement in a separate room or replacement with quieter aftermarket fans.
• Quality Control and Initial Issues: Several users report receiving units with initial defects, such as loose beds, humming noises from the Y-axis, uneven bed heating, or Z-tilt issues. Some have experienced the nozzle crashing into the bed during calibration, indicating potential sensor or firmware problems.
• Screen Glitching and Cable Issues: The screen cable connector can be "super touchy," leading to screen flickering, flashing, or unresponsiveness. While a 3D printable spacer can sometimes resolve this, it points to a design flaw with the unshielded ribbon cables.
• Slicer Profile Limitations: While it supports OrcaSlicer, some users note that the OrcaSlicer profiles for the SV06 ACE initially lacked certain features like filament change settings or proper arc mode support, requiring manual adjustments.
• Bed Adhesion Challenges: Despite automatic bed leveling, some users struggle with consistent first layer adhesion, particularly with ABS, and may need to clean the PEI plate thoroughly with dish soap or adjust settings to prevent warping.
• Hidden Shipping Blocks: A recurring issue during initial setup is the presence of hard-to-spot black foam shipping blocks under the bed, which can obstruct movement and cause print failures if not removed, a detail often missing or unclear in the manual.
• Customer Support Experience: While some users report satisfactory support, others have faced challenges with responsiveness or resolving complex issues, sometimes having to resort to community forums for solutions.
• Limited Enclosure: As an open-frame "bed slinger" design, it's not enclosed, which can limit the types of materials that can be printed successfully (e.g., ABS requires an enclosure to prevent warping and manage fumes).

User Reviews :

The Sovol SV06 ACE consistently delivers impressive print quality and speed right out of the box, often rivaling much more expensive printers. Users praise its straightforward assembly and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for beginners, despite its advanced features. The printer comes with almost vanilla Klipper firmware, providing powerful performance and extensive customization potential for those who want to explore deeper functionalities. It also supports intuitive remote control and monitoring through Mainsail and the Obico app, allowing the addition of an external webcam. The fully automatic bed leveling system is highly effective, ensuring excellent first-layer adhesion and consistent results. Its robust construction, featuring upgraded linear rods, contributes to its stability and precision, enabling clean, detailed prints, even with challenging materials like flexible filaments. Many consider it an outstanding value for money, offering performance comparable to a "sleeper car" in an accessible package.

While users praised the SV06 ACE, some users found it not up to the mark. The Sovol SV06 ACE has promising specifications, but frequently falls short due to significant quality control issues. Users report frustrating problems from the start, including loud grinding noises, difficulties with filament loading, and poor print quality characterized by inconsistent extrusion and clogs, despite extensive calibration efforts. The auto bed leveling feature is unreliable, often requiring manual adjustments or resulting in the nozzle crashing into the bed. A common design flaw is the fragile unshielded ribbon cable for the touchscreen, leading to flickering and unresponsiveness, which often necessitates user-made fixes. Additionally, critical components like coolers and extruders often fail prematurely, creating ongoing issues for users—especially newcomers. Some users feel misled by product descriptions, especially regarding the absence of an Ethernet port, which influenced their purchase decisions. Overall, the SV06 ACE tends to be a source of frustration, demanding constant troubleshooting and lacking the reliability expected from a modern 3D printer.

Click here to check it out on Amazon.

Click here to read about other 3D Printers that I have reviewed.