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!
How do Dahlquist DQ10 stack up against current speakers?
I ran across a reference to the DQ10s that made me reminisce and think. These were the speakers I drooled over in the 70s/80s. But never had the money or a large enough room in my younger years to purchase a pair.
it did make me wonder how their sound held up over time. Compared to current floor standing models in their price range (let’s say under 5k - but this is just a guess) how do they stack up? Are they still pretty darn good, or has nostalgia colored my thinking? “Great condition” used pairs are available for under 2k these days.
Has anyone listened to a pair of these recently and can comment? Prefer first hand experience.
thanks, Bill
- ...
- 17 posts total
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. |
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 |
@jallan +1 Not a fair fight as driver research and improvements march on. I've four pairs of ATC, active and passive, so understand the house sound. Spent plenty of time with the DQ 10s and it was for its time something. Just not now. Definitely a decent wall of sound. Any upgrades will bring them forward, never reaching the destination. Five drivers are difficult to bring together into a cohesive sound field. Can be done, just not with that design from that era. |
- 17 posts total