Which speakers should I keep?

Gavin.Wright

I'm torn - I currently have a nice pair of DQ-10's setup in my listening room with a bit of a custom B&W sub to attempt to fill in the low end, I love the way the Dahlquists sound, so "in focus", natural and airy, but I am not happy with their bass output, and subs don't seem to integrate well with my setup. I am thinking about moving my SDA-2's into my listening room with the recently upgrated tweeters (RDO-194's). I love the bass the SDA's put out, it seems very natural, not overdone, but effortlessly there but I don't want to end up missing the airy and open sound of the DQ-10's down the road. Has anyone lived with either of these speakers longer than I have and could perhaps give me some "longterm" listening impressions that might help me come to a decision? My other option is to simply put the DQ's back in their boxes and stash them in the closet, but that seems like a waste to me... what do you guys think?

decal

You really should make up your own mind on this. It's not what we think, it's what you think. You are the one that has to listen to them.

Timothy Smith

I would keep them both but then again I am a speaker "Ho".

The DQ-10's are true audio classics and will probably only go up in value, especially after we get out of this economic downturn.

You can find the original DQ passive subwoofer and external crossover that was made for the DQ-10 that adds some extension to the bottom end, or add a "musical" woofer like a HSU (I have a STF-2 that integrates pretty well).

I also had SDA 2's. Sold them and wish I still had them.

They are not making any more of this stuff, so if you have something in good condition keep them or pass them on to a friend or family member so you can get visitation rights.

cnh

Closet? Do you realize how many of 'us' have speakers in our closets? "Rotation", rotation, rotation...change the speakers out as your mood changes and you'll find that you'll 'need' more than one, two, or even three sets of speakers. Each has a character, a 'personality', and you can hang out with more than one person and usually do?

Keep them both and add a set of new 'LSI-Ms' perhaps!

What's in my closet right now: SDA-2Bs, Monitor 5s and EPI-100Vs. But they won't be there for too long...

cnh

Gavin.Wright

CNH - love your suggestion. I ask what I should keep and you suggest I buy more gear!

newrival

Timothy Smith wrote: »

I would keep them both but then again I am a speaker "Ho".

The DQ-10's are true audio classics and will probably only go up in value, especially after we get out of this economic downturn.

You can find the original DQ passive subwoofer and external crossover that was made for the DQ-10 that adds some extension to the bottom end, or add a "musical" woofer like a HSU (I have a STF-2 that integrates pretty well).

I also had SDA 2's. Sold them and wish I still had them.

They are not making any more of this stuff, so if you have something in good condition keep them or pass them on to a friend or family member so you can get visitation rights.

Very good advice. I was going to make he same suggestion on the Dahlquist sub and x-over. Not easy to find, but they show up regularly enough. Or get 2 "subs": one for mid-bass and one for sub-bass. I've heard very good things about the HSU mid-bass driver. Oh and then get a good speaker/bass management device

Gavin.Wright

Thanks guys - you've got me convinced to keep both! I spent this evening finding space to setup both sets of speakers at once - turns out I have just enough space on a 13ft wall in my listening room. Perfect! Now to find that sub and x-over...

heiney9

Apples and Oranges comparing the two. If you can, keep them both. If I had to personally choose I'd choose SDA's. IMO, the SDA's have the best balance and will sound best with all types of music vs. the DQ's with the DQ's winning with simpler music like vocal or acoustic type.

A friend has had several pairs over the years, most rebuilt to very high standards. I've spent time listening and for simpler music, like vocals or acoustic music, they absolutely shine, with more complex passages and pop, rock, classic rock, etc., not so much.

H9

codyc1ark

cnh wrote: »

What's in my closet right now: SDA-2Bs, Monitor 5s and EPI-100Vs. But they won't be there for too long...

cnh

You must have a very large closet!

I can agree with that statement, somedays I really wish I still had my CRS's to sit down too, but I'm a one speaker kind of guy right now... :cool:

xoaphexox

All things equal, I keep the speakers with the surrounds that won't deteriorate. Butyl, doped cloth, etc - keepers in my book.