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Review: Dahlquist DQ-10 Speaker

Category: Speakers

Hello fellow audiophiles, I want to share with you my listening experiences of Jon Dahlquist's complete speaker system.

Many times you read reviews of the DQ-10 speakers and they most always comment on the lack of low-end and power hunger of the speakers. While true, this does not provide a true representation of what the complete Dahlquist speaker system is capable of. For those familiar with the Fulton Mod-J system, it would be like critiquing this system without its base module.

The complete Dahlquist speaker system consist of the famous DQ-10 main speakers; the DQ-1W subwoofer, the DQ-LP1 electronic crossover (and DQ-ST10 speaker stands for proper main speaker positioning).

The DQ-10 is a 5-way, open baffle, time-aligned speaker; the DQ-1W is a passive 13" subwoofer; and the DQ-LP1 is an electronic crossover that features a passive, distortion free high-pass section and a freq/gain adjustable low-pass section.

Several years after initial introduction, Dahlquist modified the main speaker design to mirror image the left and right speakers. This provided symmetry and widened the soundstage even further. If you are looking to buy a set, this is the version to get!

After 30 years of ownership the Dahlquists system still takes my breath away. The sound stage is extremely wide, I can close my eyes and picture the musicians playing, with each instrument precisely located across the front of my listening room. The accuracy and clarity is stunning, piano notes are clear and true; symbols ring with purity; acoustic guitar strings sound crisply plucked; and drum beats are powerful and tight.

The 5-way crossover network is the reason for the speaker's power hunger, it has several power resistors in it that really heat up. But what you get in return for this design is accuracy (purity of note) and clarity (distortion free) of sound because each speaker driver only has to work in a limited frequency range. This is especially true of the DQ-10 woofer driver which only has to work down to 60hz with the electronic crossover in the setup.

Because of its power hunger, it is extremely important to drive the Dahlquist system with ample power. I drive the main speakers with a Bryston 4B and the subwoofer with a Bryston 3B in mono mode, a total of 800 watts. What is important for any amplifier to achieve powerful and tight base is to not be current limited. This is the case, as with the Brystons, when the amplifier doubles its output power output when the speaker impedance is halved (i.e. 200 watts @ 8 ohms, 400 watts @ 4 ohms). Plus, the amplifiers must have a high dampening factor (i.e 500+) to ensure that the speaker driver has a single, fast excursion for a drum beat, without ringing.

With this setup, there is no one who would say the Dahlquist system lacks low-end. The frequency range is very wide, something like 25hz - 30khz. The adjustability of the DQ-LP1 crossover allows for completely seemless integration of the subwoofer into the mains. You cannot tell that the low base notes come from a seperate speaker box from the mains!

Given today's market prices, you can acquire a nice set of DQ-10s for $500, a DQ-1W for $200, and a DQ-LP1 for $300 = $1000 for the complete system. I venture to say that you cannot buy another full range speaker system for this price that will beat the Dahlquist system. You would have to spend multiples of that price to try to come close.

I certainly recommend them!

Associated gear
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jjh92

Showing 1 response by m297904

m297904
93 posts
 
Jjh92,
I have had a pair of DQ-10's since 1983. I have had them alone, with subs and now, in my HT system (with subs again albeit not the DQ-1W). They are the mirror imaged version and FYI, any pair can be retrofitted to be mirror imaged.
They allow a synergy in my HT system that is really amazing.

By the experts, they are not a sonic match for the rest of my system (all Von Schweikert). BUT since they present such amazing imaging and accuracy, they are a fine complement imho. I originally intended to replace them and have a "matched" system but I never felt the need to.
In my HT, I am using a 100" screen and place the speakers just to either side of the screen. Other speakers would have a hole in their soundstage because it is very wide compared to the listening position BUT it is not too wide for the DQ-10's. I only know of the DQ's to throw such a wide soundstage.

Of course, in my HT system, they are supplemented by subs and that is where the beauty of it is. The DQ's are not called on to reproduce the sub frequencies and so the only negative bestowed on them is taken on by the subs - a beautiful marriage!

At one time I even experimented with 4 DQ-10's - two in the front and two in the rear. Again the imaging was so amazing it was holographic. It made action movie watching truly amazing. Alas, they are quite large and space constraints precluded me from keeping that setup...:-(
Imagine having 5 DQ-10's with the center channel behind an acoustically transparent screen! NOW WE'RE TALKING!!!

You are correct in noting that they like power. I'm driving them with two of the channels of a Parasound A51 - 250w/ch. Flea power need not apply here...;-)
I'm also always so impressed with the dynamic range of these speakers. Whether it is soft whisper passages or thunder claps, these speakers handle them with ease.

I heartily concur with your recommendation but don't tell anyone because if I ever get a bigger room...
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