Any still using the Dahlquist DQ-10 speakers?


I have not heard these lately and have not owned a pair for many years.  If you are using them, please let me know the journey they have gone down with you and the components you have used with them and any modifications.....then let me know if you are still driving that Ferrari 250 GT Lusso. 


whatjd
I have used the DQ-10's as my primary speakers in my two channel setup for over 40 years. Purchased new, the woofers have been re-coned and the crossovers reworked by Regnar. I also mirrored the speakers. I have recently had a pair of stands made for them (original stands came apart years ago - had used the short legs for several years). 

Currently powered with a Pioneer SX-1250 (also original purchase in the 70's). I spent a bit of time last year replacing all capacitors and active components in the Pioneer as well as cleaning every switch and pot. I have also used an Adcom 555, but actually prefer the sound of the Pioneer.

It all sounds now as good as I remember then. Once I got everything working I had my 29 year old son sit down and listen critically. He said he had never heard anything that had the clarity of the Dahlquists.

And I never owned a Ferrari, but my first car was a 1965 Mustang convertible that I often regret selling just a few years later. Cars I trade, stereo equipment is for keeps.

I love these speakers.  Mine were a gift from an older gentleman who hadn't used them in years.  They came with stands and the original boxes and receipts (he paid $900 in 1982).  I re-foamed the woofers, removed a thick layer of dust, and carefully re-soldered the tiny wire leads on both mids (1.75" soft domes)....that fix lasted a couple years, but one eventually failed so I tracked down a pair of replacements from a seller in Germany.

I drive them with a pair of Hafler 9290 amps which provide 400-ish Watts in bridged mono mode and they use all of that power.

Speaker position is everything with these....mine sit 43 3/4" from the rear wall, as prescribed by the Cardas method.  I was skeptical, but WOW does this work wonders in this case - I think it's because of their open baffle/semi-dipole design.  Someday soon I'll re-build/upgrade the crossovers, but they sound amazing as is.

They're paired with a 15" Velodyne Sub (80Hz crossover freq).

People are blown away at the accuracy and soundstage.

I used to work for Jon Dalhquist- he was quite the pioneer!  His later DQM series (80s)  addressed cabinet resonance issues long before it rose to popularity.  He used two layers of variable density MDF with nextel between them.  The Magnat drivers where well ahead of typical drivers.

Brad

In the 80's driven by Rowland electronics, the best reproduction of piano I ever heard! Period.