Wow, these speakers are just stunning in every way I can think.

Sound: huge soundstage, and amazing imaging. You definitely need space for these, in order to get the true live feel these offer. Running off a simple NAD 2400, these sound just amazing, I cant imagine how these will sound on a better amplifier. Some day...

The bass is thick and warm, but the mids and tweeters are what really set these speakers apart. I have never heard so much out of my records as I have with these.

Aesthetics: I have yet to find a better pair of speakers.


Highly recommended to anyone who knows how to properly amplify these. Hoping to take advantage of the 4 posts and amplify the subs separately.

The dq30i s are absolutely wonderful , as are all Dahlquists, and far surpass many other pretentious overpriced offerings.
If you think you love em or are even disappointed in them try this: Replace the garbage (they probably cost 12 cents) speaker posts with some nice quality ones...I favor silver plated copper from CMC...yep...Chinese....you wont believe what you have been missing. Break-in will be slow...they may even sound a bit dead right off but just keep listening. The bean counters can wreck any good product and often do! Good listening....dont thank me..just send money....Ha Ha!

I write just to correct a few misconceptions. The DQ-30 and DQ-30i came AFTER the Dahlquist company was sold. Neither Jon Dahlquist nor Carl Marchisotto had anything to do with their design, and sonically it is not in the same league as those designed by the actual Dahlquist company.

It's still not a "bad" speaker, just not up to the standards of what Jon or Carl would have created.

I was not happy with my DQ 30i (serial numbers: 01875 and 01876) until I have used the right cables (Nordost Valhalla) and the right power cords for the rest of my components. From this time I am fully satisfied with my DQ 30i and would never think to exchange them with anything else.

After being amazed by my DQ-10's, I just had to get a pair of either DQ-20's,20i's, or 30i's and luckily, won in my bid on a pair of 30i's in great condition on eBay. The quality that separatesthem from all the other speakers I've listened to is the height of the sound. The soundstage is up there it seems live. I wouldn't bother to write any more than what has already been written all these years about these speakers. They and the 10's are simply unbelievable. I'm just thankful that I read about these speakers in the internet and pursued them doggedly. You'd be doing yourself a favor if you can score a pair of either speakers. Better if you can buy a pair of both speakers.

Great imaging.A mid-range second to none.Highs are sweet,smooth and airy.Not bright! Most importantly (to me anyway) The bass is not exaggerated.

None that I can't live with.But... if I had to pick one, it would be the bass enclosure could be further dampened.

The DQ 30i is the last speaker that was made by Jon Dahlquist.They are very open detailed and full. No lack of sound stage. To sum it up, what goes in is what comes out! They were designed as a high end speaker system...(high end sources required)In my opinion,solid state mid to low fi(Adcom,Sony etc.they're all the same) insults the sonic capabilities of these speakers. ("good")Tubes bring them to life.Thanks to a very passive and loving wife I am able to own any speaker system I'd like.This is my choice! She ( a DQ 10 fan)loves them too!

Similar Products Used:

ARC Classic 60 ARC LS2 mkII w/60's CCa XLO Type 5 Argento Ulitmo interconnects Cal Audio Dynaco FM 3

Excellent highs and mids. Very smooth. Image very well. Good bass response. Exceptional balance. Stunning looks. Were designed for MUSIC, not for audio/video...while they work well in my 5.1 set up (the Pinnacle Classic Gold center is a great match, same tweeter) these are AUDIO FIRST speakers.

A tad bright VERY power hungry, you need a beast of an amp to truly appreciate these speakers. Would only recommend these speakers be driven with a very good POWER amp.

EXCELLENT loudspeaker!!! Unique design lends itself to a unique listening experience. These are the last flagship speaker truly developed and produced by DAHLQUIST. 3-way, phased array design with an aluminum dome tweeter, 5" mid and a kevlar reinforced 10" woofer in a bass reflex design. Smooth, neutral to a tad bit bright sounding depending on your room characterisitics. I used to be in the AV world and had the opportunity to purchase these speakers brand new, factory direct when the first were introduced. Stunning looks and even better sound! A+!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Canton, AR, Klipsch, DefTech, Infinity Kappa

Clarity, bass and honesty

none

This is the DQ-30. No (i) here. I have tenitis and the above reviewer is correct about listeners and the 30 as I have a hard time not listening. Ive hac the carver amazing and these should be the DQ Amazing. The crossover is top rate point to point with Solens Caps every where. I see the DQ30i is not as top flight having Mylars and two polys and smaller guage wire. With only one 10" woofer this speaker delivers the bass thats there not from your walls becoming the bass instrument. All music from the source is right where it should be. Amen

Similar Products Used:

ads ect.

Bass,clarity,Sound imaging,easy driven

None

I have the 30is for 2 years.I bought the pair from my dealer in Thessaloniki.We compared them to the legendary B&W801 fs- The Dalqs are better than those!!!Imagine that B&W801 fs have always been my dream.They are better by far!!!Buy a pair if you find one.Thank you Dalhquist for these great speakers!!!

Dynamic

Really does not stand out.

My pair of 30i are about 7 years old. They are very good in dynamics, which is why I use them in my HT. However, they are not great from a pure audio perspective. The highs are bright, the midrange dark and the bass is not tight. The soundstage is good, but not too deep. The detail of these speakers at best provides a general idea of where each instrument is in the soundstage.

I use them with an Adcom 5802, Adcom 450 GTP and Denon 460(?) CD player. I had the crossovers upgraded, but that added nothing. I tried an Anthem Pre 1, a low-end B&K preamp (for passive mode) and Adcom 750 preamp, in addition to an Adcom DAC. The only noticeable difference was the Adcom 750 was harsh and the DAC opened the midrange slightly.

I have used them in them is several different environments without any change in sound. Most interesting to me is that my pair of DQ 28s sound exactly the same. For what it is worth, Stereophile did not give the DQ 28s a good review.

I've compared the DQ 30i to PSB Stratus Goldi, Hales Rev Three, Apogee Centaurs and Von Schweikert VR4 Gen II. The first two sounded better in all areas except dynamics. The Apogees easily were better at the mid and high end. The VR 4 Gen IIs simply are better in all respects.

Considering all that I have done with both sets of DQs, I wouln't recommend them unless they were available (obviously used) at a great price.

I'm all ears if someone can tell me how to get more out of them.

Similar Products Used:

DQ-28