What to replace DQ-10s with?


I have owned the Dahlquist DQ-10s with DQ-1W subwoofer for 30 years and I just love them. However, I am tempted to tempted to try another speaker system in search of better sound. Money is an object and I've researched as possible replacements the Vandersteen 2Cs, Yamaha NS1000s, or a FMI mini-J system.

I would keep the DQ-1W subs with any of these other systems to augment the base.

Would like opinions from people familiar with these specific speaker systems on whether they would be an upgrade to the DQs.
jjh92
Hi, I have had dq-10's for many years, both stock and modded, with subs, and loved them. Natural progression would be vandersteens, which seem to continue and expand upon the same principals as the Dalquist's. The vandy's are more coherent. Drivers blend seemlessly. The DQ's are somewhat dated compared to current technology. I went from DQ-10'S to electroststics, Acoustst, Sound Labs, B&W 801's (yuk)to Vandy3a's to Vandy 5's. To my ear the Vandy sound is an evolution of the Dalquist.
Used to sit the DQ-10's on top of the subs without stands.
Good Luck, Tom
Agree with Tom re: Vandy's vs. DQ-10's, but not the Vandy 2's, which do not compete with the DQ-20i's. The DQ-10's ARE dated and not particularly coherent, but not so the 20i's which feature Scanspeak tweeter and midrange drivers with First order, attempted phase correct crossovers.
The 3a's are VERY similar sounding to the DQ-20's and Alons, but I find them a bit dull in the mids by comparison.
The 5a's are awesome, but not in your price range presumably.
Opalchip's recommendation of Alon V's is good. I went from DQ 10's to Alon II's, the Alons are a dipole design, right in line with the Dahlquist. By the way, I still have my DQ10s stored away, never letting them go.
Hey Jjh92! I submitted this EXACT same question years ago! (And I still have my 10's w/upgraded x-over in storage).

Ended up with Acoustat III's to get perfect mid-bass / bass-mids. Now selling them so, ... there you go!