How do Dahlquist DQ10 stack up against current speakers?

I owned DQ10’s for 23 years. I replaced them in 2003 with ATC SCM 35’s in 2003, financially (accounting for inflation) almost an equivalent swap. The ATC’s had superior detail, imaging, sense of depth, and much tighter bass that went about as deep as. The ATC midrange dome was much superior to any of the Dahlquist drivers, and the much simpler crossover 5 way to 3 way speaker) is part of it, especially in maintaining correct phase and thus coherence. Twenty years later I swapped the SCM 35’s for the SCM 40 v. 2’s, with a far superior tweeter that isn’t hard.

 DQ10’s are a five driver loudspeaker. I had to replace drivers several times; I think maintenance of the speakers would be a chore. They were great for their time, but there are really good speakers available in the $5-6K range.

I owned them about 40 years ago. I doubt that you would go wrong giving them a try. They bested many other speakers that I have owned before and after. BTW, make sure that you get the later mirror image model !

  Dahlquist DQ‑10

One should always be wary of pronouncing “firsts,” but, appearing in the early seventies, Jon Dahlquist’s DQ‑10 was to my knowledge the first dynamic speaker to employ multiple drivers in an open-baffle configuration (except the acoustic‑suspension woofer, which was enclosed) staggered for proper time‑alignment and phase coherence, in an attempt to realize the openness and freedom from boxiness that Dahlquist prized in his beloved Quad ESL-57s—with the added advantages of deeper bass and dynamic extension well beyond the Quad. (The physical resemblance to the Quad was both mandated by the design and an intentional homage.) Far from flawless (including conceptually), the DQ-10 was nevertheless a ground-breaking design that preceded dozens of subsequent speakers (perhaps most prominent among them models from KEF, B&W, Spica, Thiel, Vandersteen, and Wilson) continuing up to the present day. Few large, full-range dynamic speakers before or for some time afterward equaled its openness. Paul Seydor

I have a nicely restored pair with custom stands I bought in 2017 for $375 from a local owner. Yes, the DQ10's are still competitive with speakers in the mid-four figures! 

Hello all.  I'm very pleased to say that I still have (and enjoy) my mirror imaged  Daulqvist DQ 10s that I purchased new in 1980.  I "retired" them and enjoyed others makes/models over the years.  But my DQ 10s kept beckoning me back. I pulled them out of storage. Then I purchased the Silver upgrade kit from Ragnar-Dahlqvist (new caps,OFC internal wiring kit, gold plated binding posts and other bits, sent the woofers to Ragnar for a proper refurb. Their openness and transparency still elevates them to a high listening experience. A pair of HSU TN1 subs helps the bottom end for both the DQ 10s and my home theater rig. I did build new stands for them because I enjoy woodworking. I primarily use the DQs for analog along with my Denon DP 51F purchased at the same time as the DQs. BTW, Jon Daulqvist partnered with Saul Marantz to design the DQ 10.  They founded the Daulqvist speaker corp. together in 1972. Oh well, enough picking and pecking on my computer keyboard as its time to spin some vinyl.

Enjoy the music.

How do Dahlquist DQ10 stack up against current speakers?

Depends on what you’re comparing to. The DQ10 still sound great compared to current speakers, but one must accept it’s frequency limitations vs a full range speaker.

So provided you have ample amplification and understand the limitations, the DQ10 is a good sonic purchase 

Hmmmm, my late brother-in-law had a pair with no audio chain. If I had more storage space, maybe I’d try to obtain.

Perhaps the OP should scratch that curiosity itch, can always sell later