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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Dahlquist DQ-10 Speakers by Dman

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REVIEW: Dahlquist DQ-10 Speakers

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Model: DQ-10
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $400
Description: 5 way phased array loudspeaker
Manufacturer URL: Dahlquist
Manufacturer URL: Dahlquist

Review by Dman ( R ) on December 16, 2004 at 13:57:12
IP Address: 216.58.114.253
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for the DQ-10


This review comes on the heels of two situations recently. One of which was a HOT debate recently in Speaker Asylum here regarding the value of these speakers. The other was in regard to a few inmates that had emailed me for ideas on how to and what to mod and repair on these venerable legends. For me at least, the DQ-10s that I bought used just over two years ago and started modding up are done - for now.
They now sport Solen caps in place of the old yellow mylar ones, NTE (don't laugh, they are good in this context!) resistors, Kimber and Monster wiring and are now set up as Bi-ampable two pair of SFI banana connectors. I haven't replaced the inductors yet, as I will probably rewind them, as they look totally messy (this should improve performance a bit too)!

These babies still sing, and much better now that I've updated x-over components. I am currently running them with my Crown PL-3 (not a great amp, but lots of current and reserve power- 130+ Watts/channel at 8 ohms), and they image so well in my room that late at night, vocals take on that close presence that actually makes you think someone is in the room with you.

Depth portrayal (front to back) is staggering. While there are some new speakers out there that can run circles around the DQ-10 in this area, they are a LOT more expensive (ie: Magnepan, Martin Logan). Any sort of depth in the recording (reverb, layered instruments) make you think that the front wall of your listening room have vanished! Some audiophile friends of mine are under the impression that you don't need to give the speakers much room behind them in order to give good sound. Well, there is just as much info (sound) coming off that mid/bass cone's rear as there is on the front, making these speakers at least dipolar in the midband. Some others have suggested that a small cabinet CAN be made to absorb the back wave off the the speakers, but I jsut feel weird even thinking of doing this! I found that the farther out from the front wall, the better! Not only does the frequency balance of the mid sounds much better, depth perception increases dramatically. In short, these speakers give off an electrostatic or Planer like image, and behave in a similar manner (at least acoustically)!

Incredible!

There are some out there that believe the DQ-10s have real bass in them. I define REAL bass as that octave of energy between 20 and 40 hz (and lower!). Anyone who thinks that these speakers have real bass response needs to have their hearing checked though! The 10s will only go down to the mid/low 40 hz range with top quality amps driving them. There are one or two exceptions (and I've heard them) that will push the Dq-10s down to the high 30 hz range (with the resultant woofer excursions rattling the grills AND doubling as the cone reaches its limits!), but they cost huge $$$! A subwoofer is a must if you require true full range response.

Just last night, I was out hearing my friend's band (live off the floor at thier rehearsal hall- not through a PA system!). When I got home, the wife and I put on some tunes. Within a VERY short order, we realised just how good these speakers are with rock and jazz. The tonal balance (with a subwoofer) and image was uncanny! Also they are very near what a live band sounds like in terms of dynamic swings and presence! I guess that attests to me that they are indeed (still) great speakers.

Over all, I will be keeping my DQ-10s for the long term! Although they aren't exactly cute (wife hates the look, but love the sound, and thats the only redeeming feature of them in my house), and can be dated sonically by much better (read: expensive) speakers, they still sound incredible for the price. If you have a chance to grab a pair in playing condition- DO IT!!!!


Product Weakness: As pointed out many times before, they ARE power and current hungry. If not properly driven, they will sound edgy and lack depth.

Must be positioned well up from the front wall.

No "real" (20 to 40hz) bass response- needs a good subwoofer!

They also need very sturdy stands. The cheap wooden ones that some pairs come with are CRAP! Build new ones that are at least 16" high to get the mids to image properly!

Very big!

Product Strengths: Imaging and depth portrayal.

VERY lifelike sound and true high end performance for a great (and usually LOW) price!


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Crown PL-3, SWR Stereo 800 (for subs)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Flemming Custom Cathode Follower pre
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Linn Axis
Speakers: Paradigm Phantoms, Martin logan Sequel, Tangent RS-6
Cables/Interconnects: Home made- RG-6 with Gold plated ends, Linn K-20 double run for spkrs
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All styles from masaive Attack through to Mozart
Room Size (LxWxH): 25 x 12 x 8
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Dahlquist DQ-10 Speakers - Dman 13:57:12 12/16/04 ( 4)