2. member-reviews
  3. 1192767733

Review: Dahlquist DQ-10 Speaker

Category: Speakers

Hello fellow audiophiles, I want to share with you my listening experiences of Jon Dahlquist's complete speaker system.

Many times you read reviews of the DQ-10 speakers and they most always comment on the lack of low-end and power hunger of the speakers. While true, this does not provide a true representation of what the complete Dahlquist speaker system is capable of. For those familiar with the Fulton Mod-J system, it would be like critiquing this system without its base module.

The complete Dahlquist speaker system consist of the famous DQ-10 main speakers; the DQ-1W subwoofer, the DQ-LP1 electronic crossover (and DQ-ST10 speaker stands for proper main speaker positioning).

The DQ-10 is a 5-way, open baffle, time-aligned speaker; the DQ-1W is a passive 13" subwoofer; and the DQ-LP1 is an electronic crossover that features a passive, distortion free high-pass section and a freq/gain adjustable low-pass section.

Several years after initial introduction, Dahlquist modified the main speaker design to mirror image the left and right speakers. This provided symmetry and widened the soundstage even further. If you are looking to buy a set, this is the version to get!

After 30 years of ownership the Dahlquists system still takes my breath away. The sound stage is extremely wide, I can close my eyes and picture the musicians playing, with each instrument precisely located across the front of my listening room. The accuracy and clarity is stunning, piano notes are clear and true; symbols ring with purity; acoustic guitar strings sound crisply plucked; and drum beats are powerful and tight.

The 5-way crossover network is the reason for the speaker's power hunger, it has several power resistors in it that really heat up. But what you get in return for this design is accuracy (purity of note) and clarity (distortion free) of sound because each speaker driver only has to work in a limited frequency range. This is especially true of the DQ-10 woofer driver which only has to work down to 60hz with the electronic crossover in the setup.

Because of its power hunger, it is extremely important to drive the Dahlquist system with ample power. I drive the main speakers with a Bryston 4B and the subwoofer with a Bryston 3B in mono mode, a total of 800 watts. What is important for any amplifier to achieve powerful and tight base is to not be current limited. This is the case, as with the Brystons, when the amplifier doubles its output power output when the speaker impedance is halved (i.e. 200 watts @ 8 ohms, 400 watts @ 4 ohms). Plus, the amplifiers must have a high dampening factor (i.e 500+) to ensure that the speaker driver has a single, fast excursion for a drum beat, without ringing.

With this setup, there is no one who would say the Dahlquist system lacks low-end. The frequency range is very wide, something like 25hz - 30khz. The adjustability of the DQ-LP1 crossover allows for completely seemless integration of the subwoofer into the mains. You cannot tell that the low base notes come from a seperate speaker box from the mains!

Given today's market prices, you can acquire a nice set of DQ-10s for $500, a DQ-1W for $200, and a DQ-LP1 for $300 = $1000 for the complete system. I venture to say that you cannot buy another full range speaker system for this price that will beat the Dahlquist system. You would have to spend multiples of that price to try to come close.

I certainly recommend them!

Associated gear
Click to view my Virtual System
jjh92
m297904
93 posts
 
Jjh92,
I have had a pair of DQ-10's since 1983. I have had them alone, with subs and now, in my HT system (with subs again albeit not the DQ-1W). They are the mirror imaged version and FYI, any pair can be retrofitted to be mirror imaged.
They allow a synergy in my HT system that is really amazing.

By the experts, they are not a sonic match for the rest of my system (all Von Schweikert). BUT since they present such amazing imaging and accuracy, they are a fine complement imho. I originally intended to replace them and have a "matched" system but I never felt the need to.
In my HT, I am using a 100" screen and place the speakers just to either side of the screen. Other speakers would have a hole in their soundstage because it is very wide compared to the listening position BUT it is not too wide for the DQ-10's. I only know of the DQ's to throw such a wide soundstage.

Of course, in my HT system, they are supplemented by subs and that is where the beauty of it is. The DQ's are not called on to reproduce the sub frequencies and so the only negative bestowed on them is taken on by the subs - a beautiful marriage!

At one time I even experimented with 4 DQ-10's - two in the front and two in the rear. Again the imaging was so amazing it was holographic. It made action movie watching truly amazing. Alas, they are quite large and space constraints precluded me from keeping that setup...:-(
Imagine having 5 DQ-10's with the center channel behind an acoustically transparent screen! NOW WE'RE TALKING!!!

You are correct in noting that they like power. I'm driving them with two of the channels of a Parasound A51 - 250w/ch. Flea power need not apply here...;-)
I'm also always so impressed with the dynamic range of these speakers. Whether it is soft whisper passages or thunder claps, these speakers handle them with ease.

I heartily concur with your recommendation but don't tell anyone because if I ever get a bigger room...
manny55's avatar
manny55
21 posts
 
I once went to a friends house to hear his system that had a pair of DQ10 . That was about 28 years ago.Ive never forgotten the sound they produce . Astonishing imaging , extremely accurate focus and a magical ability to place images in their proper place on the sound stage with fully developed bodies.Wow, I have never and will never forget their sound.Tonally they were very extended on the top but a bit lacking on the bottom , but the bass their was was extremely tight and agil. The midrange was very satisfying and musical .Nuf said to let you know that what started as a visit of maybe a few hours went on till the next day at 4am...Record after record after record...AAhhh...the good old days...
bigtee
803 posts
 
I have a pair in excellent condition that I sort of dismissed until a while back. I was messing around with my HT and had ordered some new speakers. I had sold the others so I set up a temporary system utilizing the DQ 10's in front and a pair of the "New Advents" in the rear.
I have to say I was astonished at the sound field the DQ10 throws up. It was amazing. I mean wall to wall sound!
( I wasn't using a center channel but honestly, you really didn't need it.) In my room, the bass wasn't bad either. It was tight and well defined. It didn't reach the bottom octaves but how many speakers honestly do without a sub.
I decided to hook them up with better electronics in 2 channel just to listen. Again, it was really something coming from a pair of speakers this old.
I guess older technology wasn't really that bad after all. I use to consider these speakers sorta hard and bright but with current electronics, they are anything but.
I actually wished I hadn't ordered the new speakers for the fronts! They were that good!
saygrr
72 posts
 
It was the DQ-10 that got me into audio about 27 years ago. I know what you mean Bigtee. I sold my DQ-10s years ago to a friend. Got to hear them for the last time about 4 years ago before my friend sold them.The mid bass and midrange will compete with the finest speakers today and kill most of the speakers out there. Wish I had not sold them and wish I had bought them back when I had the chance.Of all the hi-end speakers I have owned it is the DQ-10 that I remember the most. I also owned the Fulton Js years ago. Bob Fulton was a great person about as friendly as they get. Miss Bob. Wish he was still with us.
More to discover