Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Dahlquist DQ 20i Speakers by d_sean

Model:	DQ 20i
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2000
Description:	3 way Phased array speakers
Manufacturer URL:	Dahlquist

Review by d_sean_m@yahoo.com on June 04, 2012 at 18:24:51
IP Address: 71.132.197.231 Add Your Review
for the DQ 20i

I've had this pair of Dahlquist DQ-20i for a while now, have to say these are absolutely amazing speakers. Strongest point of the Dahlquists are the mid-range and imaging. Sounds boxless, full bodied, open, transparent and very airy.
I recently got a chance to compare the DQ-20i's to more recent speaker Revel F30's I am sure most people are familiar with these speakers, stunning reviews online. Well to narrow down the flaws, Revel F30s sound lean, lower mids where you feel the depth of the voice or strings is non-existent. Mids seems more forward, two dimensional and the highs feel hyped on some tracks, does not sound natural. Vocals are high slightly pitched.
Dahlquist DQ-20i vocals are spot-on, most natural sounding midrange I have ever heard in any speaker. Female vocals are as good as staring at the singer. Male vocals like Andrea Bocelli has so much detail on the lower mids thats the Dahlquist really bring to life where as the Revel doesn't really pass that frequency well.
Revel F30 has a stronger bass, Dahlquist has very tight bass. F30's mid-range sounds two dimensional, mids don't seems to have that extra weight to make it sound full, bass driver strictly acts like a sub-woofer.
This is A/B test is based on my opinion.

Amplifiers were Nuforce ref9 and Bryston 4B ST, Benckmark DAC-1

Product Weakness:	None
Product Strengths:	Everything.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Nuforce/Bryston
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Benchmark DAC-1
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Denon DVD3910
Speakers: Dahlquist DQ20i / Revel F30
Cables/Interconnects: Wireworld
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Nuforce/Bryston
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Benchmark DAC-1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon DVD3910
Speakers:	Dahlquist DQ20i / Revel F30
Cables/Interconnects:	Wireworld
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner