superior time alignment, enormous ambience

limited bass, ineficient

When I asked Jon Dahlquist what amplifier he used to drive his DQ-10's, he told me "an Ampzilla II by Great American Sound Co." When I asked Jim Bongiorno of G.A.S. what speaker he used to evaluate the Apmpzilla amplifier, he told me "I used Dahlquist's Dq-10". After I read in The Absolute Sound that these two product seemed to be designed for each other, I laughed because I learned this information first hand! There is no question about the synergy between the two products. The famous ineficiency of the accoustic suspension woofer in the DQ-10 is not a problem at all when driven by the Ampzilla IIa, and the teriffic time alignment of the speaker with all its ambience is fantastic. Since Dq-10 speakers are mirror image, sold only in matched pairs, you can expect spectacular sound. If you can find a pair of stands made for the DQ-10's, use them to elevate the speaker so the mid/tweeter array is at ear level. Put spikes on the stand and place on a 1+" of granite...major improvement! The optimum, Class A sound from these phased array speakers is relized when they are bi-amplified with a high end subwoofer like a Janis W1. The DQ-10's woofer's foam surround will have deteriorated by now, but it can be replaced/repaired by anyone. Several companies advertising in the back of Stereo Review and AUDIO magazines sell kits for this purpose. The woofer is the same unit that was made for the legendary, original, ADVENT Speaker. Another amplifier that drives DQ-10's with no effort is the Bryston 4B. There has never been another time-aligned, phased array speaker that can quite match this speaker which was the best-selling audiophile speaker until Jon Dahlquist was in a serious accident and hospitalized for a long time. The next owners of the company found the DQ-10 too costly to make and tried to capture some of the fame by introducing the DQ-20. This is not anything like the DQ-10 and shares none of the sophisticated time alignment or multi-driver compliment of the famous predecessor.

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Vandersteins

My DQ-10's are a legend by now, and STILL a living legend. I remember buying this pair (with distinct right and left channels) at an audio shop in Portland, Oregon (in late 1979) where I lived at the time. I knew that these speakers did require a subwoofer (the base of the DQ-10 is a weak point). Some people do not like the tweeters in these units... I love them.
Along with my Haffler and the MK woofer, the old faithfuls (DQ-10's) have by now given me 20 years of great listening pleasure.

Advantages: Great, natural sound reproduction, and high reliability!

Disadvantages: Weak base (use of a sub-woofer is a MUST), and dont look for much image outside the plane of the speakers. These speakeres are highly directional. These babies are power hungry and do require a strong amp! Oh, and my wife does not like the amount of floor space that these units take up (she would prefer Bose accoustamatics - but they do not fit into my ear and I'd rather wear headphones if I have to go this small).

At a $1,000 initial price, 20 years ago, the DQ-10's cost me $50 per year thus far (about $1.00) per week, and they represent the best audio investment I have ever made. Hence, despite the above listed disadvantages, these babies do deserve the 5 speaker (5-star) rating that I am giving them today. I have no intention to let them go, and now plan to procure two smaller speakers (perhaps bookshelf size) and a center channel speaker as the family is ready for a home theater. I do not doubt that the DQ-10's will remain the outstanding center piece of our audio system.

none

Zingy tonal character; low-efficiency and difficult to drive

This was a ground-breaking product two decades ago. However, compared to the current state-of-the-art offerings (from Magnepan, B&W, Wilson, etc.), these pups are laughably colored. Modeled after the great Quad ESL, the tonal character of this speaker is zingy and hollow (thank you, Mr. Piezo). Imaging is far from being realistic (whould would you expect from a speaker that isn't electrically time-aligned)? The DQ-10 might be a good buy if you already have a great, high-powered amp and can only afford to spend $200 for a set of used speakers.

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Magnepan, Spica, B&W

Unbelieveable imaging

Power hungry, they need a minimum of 100 real watts. They get happy at about 200+

Back in the late 70's I was looking for the system that would last me until I completed my college years. Four degrees later I wish I had bought the DQ 10's I auditioned at the time. Instead I went with a Yamaha system which I loved. But in the back of my mind, like the girl of your high school dreams I always felt the Dahlquists were the one that got away. I am currently looking to upgrade my current system and can't get the DQ 10's out of my mind. Like others, my wife would love to get rid of my existing speakers with something smaller, but the DQ 10's keep calling my name. I still remember how the sound stage reminded me of a live performance, revealing little things good and bad which I never noticed before. Maybe I'll buy a set for my den and tell my wife they were a gift. Any one out there know what Regnar is charging for a used set or their new recreated DQ 10?

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Yamaha NS 1000

Midrange accuracy, stunning imaging, warm detailed bass.

These babies need POWER!!!!!!!!!!

I've owned the Dahlquist's for over 20 years and they have never let me down. Once you've heard the qurity from a baffleless speaker it is very difficult to listen to box speakers without hearing coloration. You know that "upgrade" bug we all get a few times a year? Well I have listened to MANY different speakers over the years and to get anything better you are looking at spending many many thousands of dollars.
To address the bass shortcomings, the biggest problem people have is using too little power. This is a five way design and needs a minimum 100 GOOD watts per channel. 200 + and they start to really come to life. I get good inroom response to 32HZ and more importantly it's fast and tuneful bass.
On another note it appears more people are becoming aware of the Dahlquist's as the Orion Bluebook has increased by $100 in the last year and used pairs are going way up as well. Might be the time to buy a pair while they're still around $500 a pair. I have a feeling that price is going to keep going up over time.
In short if you have the room, and the power and accuracy is a high priority for you...you OWE it to yourself to audition these.

Abilitly to give music a life like quality. Find them realistic. Sharp and clear

inefficiency. Extremely large. Must have large room for proper placement of them.

I picked up these speakers second or third hand after requesting to hear them. It was like name that tune. My ears demand that speaker in less than ten notes. It was audio love at first listen.
I consider myself an audio enthusiast with audiophile wants and desires. Like some audiophiles I can also be quite fussy. In extensive listening to almost all types of music I have found no fault with the DQ-10s. To say these speakers lack bass is to admit that your present amplifier can't handle them. Besides bass enjoyment is a relatiave term depending on what music you're listening to at the time. I was impressed with the bass for the music I listened to (classical, jazz, and rock). As a matter of fact I had just purchased a CD of Handel's Messiah. I popped it into a T-1000 audiophile CD transport with California Audio Labs SIGMA tube analog processor. Because I was distracted by something, I forgot I was listening to a CD. Suddenly I heard thunder comming from outside my soundroom window. The sky was gloomy and I didn't think anymore of it. Next I heard crickets from outside the window. I got up from my cushioned lazy-boy and asked my wife how long the thunderstom had been going on for. My soundroom is practically sound proof. She responded by telling me that there wasn't a storm. All of a sudden I realized it was the unfamilier CD which had been playing that I had heard. I was truly impressed. Both the bass of the thunderstorm and the sound of the crickets comming from the DQ-10s sounded incredibly life like. I have listened to organ music through these speakers and could feel the bass deep within my stomach. I have never heard a more musical speaker at any price. I'm sure one exists, but even if I found it, I know I couldn't afford it. For all the strides in speaker technology, I can hardly believe I'm still quite happy with 1979 speaker technology.
Although these speakers are quite inefficient, a good amplifier will still drive them well. I have had them hooked up to a Marantz SR-96 and a Threshold amplifier, Model 400A. Both amplifiers drive the DQ-10s, but they sound much better hooked up to the Threshold with Audio Research preamp LS3.
I can't see getting rid of them for any reason. I will retire soon and I look foward to spending many years of listening to pure music from a speaker that delivers that music so well.
If you can find and afford a speaker that will out do the DQ-10s, by all means buy it. But if you're want to listen to music in such detail that it puts some $5,000.00 speakers to shame, buy a pair of DQ-10s and a good amp. It doesn't get much better.

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None.

Top to bottom musicality

Need power

These are an absolutely stunning speakers. They seems to slowly be being discovered here in Europe too. I have friends with Magnepan, Apogee and Sonus costing much much more than these and they are so jealous. The sell for the equivelance of only $1500US and if they're cheaper in the States they are a steal. If you know what music sounds like these are the real deal.

Fantastic imaging and sound stage. Very sweet mid and highs.

Lack dynamic range. Weak base for modern CD recordings.

I have owned these since I purchased them new in 1980. They are still fantastic. The soundstage and imaging are unreal and I still have not found another speaker that can duplicate that effect. The speaker sounds best with a high current amplifier such as an Aragon 8008BB. I have used five amplifiers with this speaker and the Aragon is by far the best. This comparison includes a Krell, an SAE, a Carver, and a Yamaha. You will really see the speaker come to life with a high current amplifier that can produce dynamic range. After many years have the surrounds rebuilt locally or send them off to Regnar. I have also used a Velodyne HGS 15 inch sub woofer with this speaker and find that it is a good addition. Remember when these speakers were designed most records were unable to produce low frequencies that the Dalhquist is now criticized for being unable to produce accurately. For it's day, it was either the DQ-10 or the Magnapans. If you have a pair of 1980 Magnapans they are dried up while the DQ-10s still have a loyal following. If you come across a late manufacture matched pair on the used market grab them! Best with jazz and classical music. Vocals are fantastic.

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There are none!

Quality and imaging of sound

hard to power

What a great set of speakers. If you can get an amp to power them, go for it. You won't get anything better for the buck!

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Apogee Centaur Minor

Clarity, Soundstaging, Imaging, Frequency Response

Bass, Size

I bought these around 1980. I had been an audio enthusiast for sometime and was studying acoustics and Electrical engineering. I used to spend hours visiting stores listening to different equipment. I could quote the annual Audio Equipment review.

I will never forget the first day I heard these amazing speakers. The only thing that comes close was the first CD I heard.

For the money these are prbably the best speakers in the world today. The young audio sales people don't believe it when they hear them either.

They were manufactured with Magnat drivers and are very reliable. Mine have been in storage for a few years and am thinking of sending them to Regnar for a rebuild.

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