Dahlquist DQ-10s

concealer404

A set of these in GREAT shape just popped up on CL for $450.

Run towards or away?

After researching, my biggest concern is that i may not have the space necessary for these things. My room is about 12x16, and they would be going against the long wall, and my couch is on the opposite long wall. Figure that i have about 8-9' between my sitting position and the opposite wall.

They're original owner speakers, owner has the reciept and literature.

Do i NEED these?

kawizx9r

I never heard a pair, are they really that sought after? Wonder if it's the same pair that appeared about a month ago in my CL. It had a few remarks such as "if you're an amateur audiophile, don't bother..." lol

concealer404

It's these:

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1410528856.html

There's some weird stuff popping up on CL here...

AR9LSs...

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1409301068.html


The Dahlquists seem to be good speakers, from everything that i've been able to find, just old. But these have been re-foamed, so i'm not real worried from that aspect. I'm just unsure if they're worth the asking price.

kawizx9r

Same here! lol

If you think that's something, check these out - http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/1407863377.html

concealer404

OH wtf.... 16 tweeters each? A McIntosh line array. Interesting.... I wonder if they're truly worth that price. Why would anyone paint the tweeter column matte black? That would piss me off.

But those ARE strange... I think you win.

Although it's a toss-up between the McIntoshes and the Dahlquists as to which would look more bizarre in my living room. Which of course, is half of the appeal to me...

concealer404

Well, while we're waiting for someone with input on the Dahlquists... i'll start listing the stuff i don't normally see on CL..

Monitor Audio RS6s:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1409809656.html

Bose 901s:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1409669825.html

Mission 734s:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1408766161.html

Polk Monitor 10Bs:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1407645192.html

M&K 1B Satellites:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1406986583.html

Onix Electrostat Super Tweeters:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1406424806.html

B&W 604S3s:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1404552470.html

Magnepan Tympani 1Ds:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1399342015.html

Polk S6s:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1395132515.html

JBL Towers:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1392917407.html

Klipsch CF-2s:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1392504291.html

Kenwood MV-9Ds:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1373253954.html



Hrmmm.... i may need those S6s for $40...

kawizx9r

Hmm, I like those Monitor 10B's but they're overpriced imo.

Here's a pair of B&W's I auditioned - http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/1403581373.html
Didn't like the metal tweeter they employ, but that doesn't mean I won't take B&W into consideration if I move up to music-only speakers.

There are a ton of maggies as well ranging from 250-600. I have to ask, why are they...."affordable" I know that you'd have to look for bad tweeters/etc cuz those could run you alot of $ to replace but if they're in perfect working condition with no tears to the sock and stands/bases included is there a catch? I ask cause I heard a pair in a smaller room (yes I know they need alot of room) but damn they sounded nice and it makes me want a pair.

heiney9

A buddy of mine had 2prs and sold 1. He upgraded the x-overs and mirror imaged them and built some beuatiful stands for them. Also had a new Regnar woofer added. They are a unique speaker (in a positive way) they need some breathing room, they won't play terribly loud before the super tweeter starts to break up badly. They don't have a lot of bass, but a decent amount. They image fantastically and make recordings come alive..........that's their thing. Vocal's, acoustic, jazz, etc they sound absolutely wonderful. They won;t play Ac/Dc with any kind of conviction and they won't achieve high levels of spl.

There is lots and lots of info about the DQ-10's as they have reached cult status. $450 for a pair that's in good shape and has been refreshed is right in the ball park.

IMO, everyone should experience these in their audio journey.

H9

Phil Dawson

I owned a pair of the DQ-10 for a year or so a while back. They are very power hungry. Even with a HK Citation amp at 200WPC and 100 amps in high current mode I couldn't get them to play loud. They had a good clean sound but they didn't seem to breath or have an airy feel. I traded them off for a McIntosh 2100 to run my sub and I've been very happy. They do represent a bit of audio history but I sure wouldn't give very much for another pair of them. For that kind of money you can get far better sound (IMHO) from Polk, AR JBL, maybe even Bose (shudder). Let us know how you like them if you buy them.
Good Luck, Phil




SRS-SDA Front
2 cs400i Center
SRS-SDA Rear
Shure 12in sub
B&K ref 10 pre-pro upgr to ref 50
Techniques 1200 TT
Mac MR71 Tuna
Lexicon rt-20 uni player
HK citation pre for TT
2 PSE Studio Mono Blocks
4 PSE Studio Stereo Amps
1 Mac 2100 Amp for sub

TroyD

My first 'real' pair of speaks were DQ-10's....properly driven, they sound amazing. 450 for a pair in good shape, with stands is a good price. Not a steal but not bad, either.

BDT

concealer404

Hrmmm... so basically, probably not great for half of what i listen to, and will probably need a sub for my tastes.

I think i'll probably have to pass on these for now. Maybe another day when i have the luxury of having room for another setup.

Thanks guys!

Guess i'll try to pick up those S6s and see what the fuss is all about with those.

Phil Dawson

What did you drive them with? How big was your listening room? I had a large romm (1100 square feet) and didn't have enough amp-see above.
Thanks, Phil

concealer404

Phil Dawson wrote: »

What did you drive them with? How big was your listening room? I had a large romm (1100 square feet) and didn't have enough amp-see above.
Thanks, Phil

Oh i didn't pick them up... this thread pretty much turned me off to them in my current situation. I doubt i have QUITE enough amp right now, a 12x16 room, and they probably won't be the best idea for what i normally listen to.

TroyD

I had them in a small 11x12 room....nothing spectacular on the gear....but I absolutely loved them. Kinda wish that I still had them

BDT

heiney9

They are fabulous. Very open, airy, and they sort of disappear. My only point is they aren't headbanging speakers. Sure they'll play Metallica, Ac/Dc, Tool, Rage, etc....just not how most headbangers are accustomed to hearing the music.

Too bad you passed on them.

concealer404

I dunno... we'll see how long they stick around and if i can move this Klipsch sub i have. I'm interested in trying them for sure, just not sure HOW interested with the mixed reviews in this thread.

Phil Dawson

It sounds like the problem I had may have been with the size of the room I had them in. I listened mostly to Jazz and other acoustic type music and they always sounded pretty good it's just that they didn't fill up the large space very well. I also like the occasional large orchestra and rock band cranked up too. I would up with SRS-SDAs and I don't think that the DQ-10s are even in the same league. Just my 2 cents. There are many speakers that don't sound as good as the DQ-10s.
Good Luck, Phil

F1nut

IMO, everyone should experience these in their audio journey.

Agreed and then sell them.

McLoki

I remeber hearing these in a couple of local shops early in my audio journey... Even then, they had a near fanatic following and to be honest, I never really understood why. I remember the sound as decent but not awesome. Not sure what they were driven with and like I said, it was early in my journey - but they did not demo in a way that made me ask more questions about them (except why).

Just as an FYI - things I listened to at the time that did make me ask questions and want more were Vandersteen, Carver Amazings, Mangnepan and Polk Audio. (ended up with the Polk SDA's)

Michael

Ron Temple

I heard a pair at fredv's powered by his tube gear. It was impressive for detail and imaging, not much bass. It was a nice sound. Then he hooked up his Carver ALIIIs and I forgot all about them. The Carvers offered even better detail and astounding bass...dominated them in every way.

heiney9

Ron Temple wrote: »

I heard a pair at fredv's powered by his tube gear. It was impressive for detail and imaging, not much bass. It was a nice sound. Then he hooked up his Carver ALIIIs and I forgot all about them. The Carvers offered even better detail and astounding bass...dominated them in every way.

That's like comparing a pair of Monitor 5B's with SDA SRS's . The Dahlquists when set-up properly and with modern caps in a more intimate setting sound excellent for vocal, jazz, acoustic, etc........

They need to be experienced just once in your audio journey. Certainly not the one's last speaker but unique in it's own way and can sound excellent

H9

BIZILL

i heard a set that looked sadly neglected but they still sang out loud and clear. very "clean" sound to the set i heard is the only way i can think to describe them.