Dahlquist DQ-10 Floorstanding Speakers

Dahlquist DQ-10 Floorstanding Speakers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 111  
[Feb 15, 2024]
vocalium


Strength:

What can we say about these gems that hasn't already been said over the decades? One thing perhaps yes, having frequented for many years the specialized shops and exhibitions and fairs around the world, to reach this state of excellence of musical reproduction that the Dahlquist DQ10 still offer today, you have to spend a lot and as a friend of mine says, there are many six figure speakers that are better! Well I admit that there is a bit of exaggeration in this assessment but I wanted to report his thoughts to make us realize what level of costs we have reached today and also to bring us back down to earth a little more. What Jon Dahlquist discovered about music reproduction in speakers was of global importance, like the classic pioneer opening the doors to the new world. Yes, because it is about a pioneer that I'm talking about in these lines, a pioneer who unfortunately and wrongly, is not recognized as such by a specialized magazine which at the time, with another and fundamental publisher, launched with a world premiere review of his masterpiece, the DQ10. I would like to close this review by listing the words that emerged from a video available online published by Steve Guttenberg who, as is well known, is an audio reviewer and creator of Audiophiliac, a video in which he tells how only a reviewer of his talent can do, his first meeting with the DQ10s listening to Bob Katz's system, which also included the legendary Ampzilla amplifier by the equally legendary and audio genius Jim Bongiorno who, coincidentally, is also absent from the list! These are some of Steve's comments: Real - Breaking through the reality barrier - Mind altering - Getting close to - Emotional connecting - Excited me with their realism That's all. Happy listening.

Weakness:

Nothing to say.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jan 13, 2020]
1Justin2Sam


Strength:

I owned and sold these wonderful speakers. Went to the CES and meet Jon and Saul. Sold a set to a friend that still has them....as does another friend. The first speaker that made it very easy to understand changes and improvements in a system. Since them I have had the top Magnepans, Martin Logans, Vandersteens and too many others. Perhaps it was simply part of being young and beginning my audiophile hobby, but none have left the meaningful memories of the DQ-10

Weakness:

For their time and price, none.

Purchased:
New  
Model Year:
1975
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Sep 01, 2018]
woggles


Strength:

Agree with most of the consistent comments from others. I am fine with a 75 watt per channel, from a heavy duty full class A all the time (and the fan driven BTUs to prove it) amp, from the early 1990s, a Kinergetics KBA-75. Does the job and has the current capacity others mention. Weighs more than the speaker! Mostly LPs of classical, jazz, and 60s (S&G, PP&M, Beatles). Driven by a Kinergetics KPA-1 pre-amp (so dual mono that the left and right jacks for each input are widely separated), and has an external power supply. similar vintage to the amp. Turntable is Technics SL-1200mk2 with Ortofon 2M blue. Also have DQ-20.

Weakness:

none so far. maybe stands should be higher - match ear level when sitting on sofa? Mine is early - no fuses, but mirror kit installed.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
4
[Aug 23, 2017]
drummer
AudioPhile

I have a pioneer vsx-47tx will this sound good and be able to drive the dahlquist dq10s ?

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 26, 2016]
ohjamey
Audio Enthusiast

hello there

I have never used mydahlquest dc 10s
traded them from jahamal wilks the bb player in 1985 for a rolex datejust still in boxes never used after reading about how great they are going to get my tunbe amp and sit back and hear the great things you folks have to say God bless!!!!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 18, 2015]
Today
AudioPhile

DQ10's have a great history and I would personally like to thank all the people who made it possible. I now have all the different models made, My 1st pair were in 1975, the red wire single crossover, 2nd pair 1977, with black and purple metal cap's, the 3rd pair with yellow caps, the newer crossover and reverse wired for imaging, the 4th pair and the 5th pair were of the last run set where the serial number are on the dial area which also has a smaller wire size hookup, the 6,s set were from 80's. Being a DIY myself , I have found these speaker are reasonable to purchase and make repairs too. I have upgraded all the set's to A like kind and mod's to match making some small changes . DQ10's are some of the best sounding speakers that are still talking today. I believe there were about 57,000 pairs made before the DQ10's were stopped . And yes these speakers require a true powerful amp to make them bark but not over 200 watts. Just amazing and still listening daily, tho the wife is clueless.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 10, 2015]
Tomcat
AudioPhile

Once upon a time, there was a high end stereo shop in my home town. The repair guy was and is an absolute genius. He designed and built custom 5 way crossovers for the DQ-10. The company actually marketed these upgrades for quite a while. I have the pair that he built originally during design work and put in his own living room. They are flawless.
Yes they require power... yes the power must be clean.
Yes, you can improve the overall sound quality by adding subwoofers, mine are Dahlquist DQ-1Ws... a pair of them. These have been in the listening room of any home I have lived in for over a quarter of a century. They will not be replaced.
Setup you ask?
Preamp is the Phase Linear 4000 series two. Downstream from that is an original Dahlquist active crossover. The high end once went to a Phase Linear Dual 500... old buddy talked me out of that one. Now a Hafler 500. Clean power & great response. The bass goes to a Yamaha P7000S. Muscle on the bottom end that is clean at a good price.
I would not trade the speakers for the world. The woofers in the DQ-10s have been redone... and that is all.
Love the imaging. Had them in a living room once... and could not get the drummer out of the fireplace.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 16, 2015]
Marcus Kelly
Audio Enthusiast

I can only concur fully with all the comments below. Especially Paul. I have had my DQ10's since they fisrt came out in 1975, I have yet to have found something that equally matches them with out going the top of the range B&W. As technology has moved forward there are some amazing products out there like new bookshelf Bosten's A26 & CS26. But I always go back to the DQ10 for reference of what the perfect sound should sound like. I have moved on with my amp, from a massive 200W unit, which sadly packed up after 35 years to a new Rotel 60W. A very good combination if loud volume is not important. I am looking for a spare No.2 tweeter. it seems to be the only weaknes in the 5, I have blown one in all the time I have had them. For anyone who wants the ultimate listening expereince, get a second pair and stack them, with the top one upside down on the other in alignment. Use huge amps. You will hear the sound of your life, only a live concert can reproduce. Marcus RSA.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 10, 2012]
Paul
AudioPhile

I've owned this speaker since 1978 and cannot think of letting them go. I think they will be buried with me.

My pair have been "around the block" as they say. The bases / stands were destroyed when I have a flood in my basement but I still have them.

These are amazing speakers and still sound great after all these years. I have a different woofer in them currently but will be sending them out for rebuild to Miller Sound soon.

I cannot part with them. Find a pair, check them out, and if they are good buy them....

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 18, 2012]
Niccolosito
Audio Enthusiast

I just keep going back to my DQ-10s. My other choice is a pair of Vandy CE2 Sigs which are great speakers in their own right. But what actually makes these speakers sound so good to my ears is the Sonic Hologram switch on my Carver C4000. The sound stage is widened beyond belief it seems 3 dimensional. This SH circuitry expands the sound coming from any pair of speakers with the possible exception of direct/reflecting speakers like Bose 901's but the 10's just seem to do it more effectively. This may sound like a commercial for the SH but the DQ-10's just seem to do it better than the other speakers and I have 4 other sets.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 111  

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