Calling all Dahlquist owners
- Thread starter mcgarick
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
jazzrhodes10
Member
I have the DQM-9's. A well balanced speaker, great mid-range. Decent sound-stage. Definitely more of a west coast sound, but not as fatiguing as that sound can often get. Although they aren't technically west coast, they remind of the Polk sound, with really clear and transparent midrange. They are also pretty efficient. I'd imagine they'd sound good on tubes, though I can't say for sure out of experience. Bass is good, although they're ported, so they can get a little boomy if you're into having the bass cranked. I augmented the low end with a tight subwoofer and it tightened things up nicely, but it definitely wasn't necessary. They really shine in the mid range great with vocals. All in all an extremely flexible speaker. Great dynamics.
I'd be still using them if I hadn't fallen in love with some Magnepans. I'd think that the DQ series would be a great compromise. Of course I can't say that I'd even bother. I still miss them though for their dynamics; really feeling the music deep in your chest.
I'd be still using them if I hadn't fallen in love with some Magnepans. I'd think that the DQ series would be a great compromise. Of course I can't say that I'd even bother. I still miss them though for their dynamics; really feeling the music deep in your chest.
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
DQ-20s are pretty special.
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
I'm owner and fan of DQ-10s- it's just the original poster didn't ask about that model. 
Arkay
Lunatic Member
I'm a fan of DQ 10s and DQ 12s. Those, and the rare DQ 6 and 3 or 4 (I forget which it was; I think 3) are the only ones I've seen and heard, and the 10s and 12s were the best of that bunch. The 12s are the only ones I own. The 10s are every bit as good, possibly better (more full-range, slightly bigger soundstage) but too big for my place; my wife would very possibly kill me if I brought home another pair as big as the Gradient subs or as wide as the RS IIs, even though the 10s are shorter. I wouldn't know where to put them, anyway!
Never heard any DQMs, and I'd be surprised if they were as good as the DQs, given how much less they are discussed online. Of course, it's possible. I think the AR 12s are better than the AR 3as, but they are hardly ever mentioned, anywhere. Rarity is probably the cause; perhaps that applies here, too?
Just speculation; would love to hear the opinions of anyone who has owned all the relevant models and compared them. Would a DQM-9 really be better than a DQ-10 or DQ-20?
Never heard any DQMs, and I'd be surprised if they were as good as the DQs, given how much less they are discussed online. Of course, it's possible. I think the AR 12s are better than the AR 3as, but they are hardly ever mentioned, anywhere. Rarity is probably the cause; perhaps that applies here, too?
Just speculation; would love to hear the opinions of anyone who has owned all the relevant models and compared them. Would a DQM-9 really be better than a DQ-10 or DQ-20?
jazzrhodes10
Member
I'm sure the DQ's are far better than the DQM's but since I haven't heard them, I couldn't really comment on them.
I suppose compromise wasn't exactly a great word to use. I meant that they must have a great soundstage like a planar speaker, because of the time aligned drivers, and have the power and dynamics of the smaller DQM series, but I'm sure much better.
Either way its tough to go wrong with any Dahlquist, some are good (DQM), others are great (DQ)
I suppose compromise wasn't exactly a great word to use. I meant that they must have a great soundstage like a planar speaker, because of the time aligned drivers, and have the power and dynamics of the smaller DQM series, but I'm sure much better.
Either way its tough to go wrong with any Dahlquist, some are good (DQM), others are great (DQ)
mcgarick
Super Member
What got me thinking about the DMQ9, is a pair of DMQ5's I picked up,they are really,really good.......
It makes me wonder about others....
I'm wondering about the treble extension on the DQ-20's????????
These DQM5's have one of the better tweeters Ive heard in awhile,ever so slighty hot,but my tubes make it sound really fun,smooth.
I like.
Thats a silk dome,and it has bite(ONLY in the most positive way)
It makes me wonder about others....
I'm wondering about the treble extension on the DQ-20's????????
These DQM5's have one of the better tweeters Ive heard in awhile,ever so slighty hot,but my tubes make it sound really fun,smooth.
I like.
Thats a silk dome,and it has bite(ONLY in the most positive way)
Attachments
Last edited:
DQ 20 was good enough for Saul
I was just reading an old interview with Saul Marantz (co-developer of Daulquist speakers among other things) and his home system consisted of Marantz (duh) Model 7C pre, 2 model 8 amps...and DQ 20 speakers.
So I'm guessing they're not too shabby.
I was just reading an old interview with Saul Marantz (co-developer of Daulquist speakers among other things) and his home system consisted of Marantz (duh) Model 7C pre, 2 model 8 amps...and DQ 20 speakers.
So I'm guessing they're not too shabby.
borus
Luthier tube guy
DQ 20 are better
mcgarick
The DQM's are nice speakers. Not in the same league as the DQ's. The 12's are smaller versions of the 20's which are smaller than the 30's. The DQ10 are the grandpa's of the group. They are 1970's tech. The 12, 20 are early 80's the 30 are late 80's. The DQM's are 90's and the designer had changed. The company was under control of the been-counters. I have 5 DQ10s and I would still love to have some 20's.
Borus
mcgarick
The DQM's are nice speakers. Not in the same league as the DQ's. The 12's are smaller versions of the 20's which are smaller than the 30's. The DQ10 are the grandpa's of the group. They are 1970's tech. The 12, 20 are early 80's the 30 are late 80's. The DQM's are 90's and the designer had changed. The company was under control of the been-counters. I have 5 DQ10s and I would still love to have some 20's.
Borus
Rocjr
Active Member
If you like the 5s you'll probably like the 9s alot, if your amp has some juice. The 20s have treble extension. They're tricky to get set up right though. Picky. They need space and the right amp. Not necessarily high power, just the right amp.
Rocjr
Active Member
The DQM series were box speakers designed in the early 80s. Early versions used Magnat drivers and were in some cases revised and modified Magnat designs. The cabinet material was German designed called Microspan. The density varied by layer. Those densities were revised for use at Dahlquist. The DQ-20 was the only quasi-open baffle design that used Microspan. Later box designs came out during the mid 80s- 903, 905, 907, 909, and were proprietary using a mix of Vifa and Seas drivers, some stock, some OEM. The 907 used a revised version of the 20 woofer.
The DQ-20s were released in '86
The DQ-12s were released in '89
The DQ-20s became 20i (improved) in '89
The DQ-8s were released in '90
The DQ-8s were the last speakers designed by the Dahlquist chief designer and team.
Dahlquist was sold May 1990.
The DQ-30s, 6s, etc were designed out of house in 91-92 after the original Dahlquist staff had left.
bobrown14
Super Member
I've got DQ-8s, 2 Pair of DQ-10s and a pair of DQ-12s. All sound different and good in there own way. the DQ-10s have them all beat on sound stage - no surprise there. I like the DQ-8s on my lowly MOT Sansui 771 - listen to them every day and love them, nice bass and good sound stage. DQ-12s are not bad - but I'm not driving them with very much power yet and like the mids/highs from them and use them for low level in my shop. When I want more bass I turn on my QLS-IIIs to fill out the sound. The DQ-12s get lost when I turn up the volume (again probably the amp). The DQ-10s are really the pair of Dahlquist speakers that everyone interested in Dahlquist sound need to own at least for a little while. I didn't really understand that until I refurbed a pair. After new Solen caps all around they really did start to shine. Before the re-cap they were so so and not very present, just there.
Some say the DQ-10s really start to shine with some good amount of power. I've not tried anything but a Sansui AU-719 at 90 watts per channel and they sound pretty good. I will eventually hook up more power to them but not until I need to move my system for something like my girl getting me to paint the room or something crazy like that which would require me to tear down the system and them put it back with an added high current amp, which I have waiting in the wings.
Hope that helps with some of the DQ line at least. The DQ-20s seem like a combo DQ-12 with the woofer from the DQ-10, haven't heard a set yet, but they do require a little coin to get a pair. There are allot of D-10s out there and can be had for a pair of Franklins if you watch for a while. I just got a primo pair a guy had in his basement for 10 years and never hooked them up and sold them on CL - Yay for me. The DQ-12s are a little more $ as are the DQ-8s for no good reason I can figure other than maybe more rare. No experience with the DQM-9s - not much banter about them and with a ported enclosure, I doubt they will stack up against any of the DQ line. I could be wrong tho... they do "look" nice.
Cheers,
Bob
Some say the DQ-10s really start to shine with some good amount of power. I've not tried anything but a Sansui AU-719 at 90 watts per channel and they sound pretty good. I will eventually hook up more power to them but not until I need to move my system for something like my girl getting me to paint the room or something crazy like that which would require me to tear down the system and them put it back with an added high current amp, which I have waiting in the wings.
Hope that helps with some of the DQ line at least. The DQ-20s seem like a combo DQ-12 with the woofer from the DQ-10, haven't heard a set yet, but they do require a little coin to get a pair. There are allot of D-10s out there and can be had for a pair of Franklins if you watch for a while. I just got a primo pair a guy had in his basement for 10 years and never hooked them up and sold them on CL - Yay for me. The DQ-12s are a little more $ as are the DQ-8s for no good reason I can figure other than maybe more rare. No experience with the DQM-9s - not much banter about them and with a ported enclosure, I doubt they will stack up against any of the DQ line. I could be wrong tho... they do "look" nice.
Cheers,
Bob
Designdweeb
Super Member
I have DQM 3s, and they are very good, for rock, but sound a bit boxy and in your face when I compare them to my Vandersteen 1Bs, also, I believe, 2 way speakers.
mcgarick
Super Member
The DQM-5's are very Dynamic,detailed and seemless driver integration. Easily one of the most interesting speakers I have had for awhile,
Right now, I'm switching back and forth between them and my IMF T-line speakers.
I need a dedicated man cave............
I'm also wondering if the DQ-20's would need much space from the back wall,I need to keep my speakers no more than 12" out from the back wall.
If the DQ-20's would sound crappy 12" away from the wall,then they cant be considered in my home....The IMF's with they're Transmission line are the most flexable speakers for placement I have ever had,very cool(for my space)
The DMQ5's sound fine 12" from the back wall, they have two largish bottom rear ports.
Polk makes a great port diffuser thing, I would love to make something like them to use with my rear ported speakers that I own....
I'm really intrigued with Dahlquists now,cant wait to try more. Cheap second hand..
Right now, I'm switching back and forth between them and my IMF T-line speakers.
I need a dedicated man cave............
I'm also wondering if the DQ-20's would need much space from the back wall,I need to keep my speakers no more than 12" out from the back wall.
If the DQ-20's would sound crappy 12" away from the wall,then they cant be considered in my home....The IMF's with they're Transmission line are the most flexable speakers for placement I have ever had,very cool(for my space)
The DMQ5's sound fine 12" from the back wall, they have two largish bottom rear ports.
Polk makes a great port diffuser thing, I would love to make something like them to use with my rear ported speakers that I own....
I'm really intrigued with Dahlquists now,cant wait to try more. Cheap second hand..
I have 10s and had 30s, both very nice speakers. I traded the 30s to another AKer as I just didn't have room for them, and only keep the 10s as part of my vintage-collector disease. I like them, they sound good, but I think modern speakers do what they do with less fuss, better high end, and are often much easier to drive. If you have big amps, though, the 10s can sound really good depending on placement. The 30s were also a very nice speaker. I think they sound better than the 10s, but it comes down to personal opinion as they were very different. The tweeter could get hot depending on what you were driving them with, but they had a HUGE sound, and the image they created was very holographic. They weren't difficult to drive as long as whatever you drove them with could handle 4ohms. They sounded better with high power, though.
If I saw a pair of 20s for a reasonable price, I might pick them up. Kind of the best of both worlds between the 30 and 10.
If I saw a pair of 20s for a reasonable price, I might pick them up. Kind of the best of both worlds between the 30 and 10.
Arkay
Lunatic Member
I think you are right about the 12s being like the 20s, except the 20s have a larger woofer. Two things I'd strongly recommend for the 12s, based on my experience with them:
1. Feed them well: a powerful amp with plenty of headroom really helps "open up" their sound. It sounds to me that you are probably under-powering them. You might try bi-amping them, with a combination of tube and SS amps. Mine came apparently factory-wired for bi-amping (or else expertly modified a long time ago), and they sound great that way!
2. Recap them, too, with high-quality caps, and be prepared to grin!
:yes: Mine sounded good enough when I got them I didn't really expect much improvement from a recap... but the difference was definitely audible! Interesting that the 12s and 8s will sell for more than the 10s! I didn't realize that. I own the only 12s I've ever seen here, and they cost me a bit less than the few 10s I've seen for sale here were priced at. Then again, the 12s I bought out of the back of a white van (Literally - but not the infamous kind!
) and the 10s were in shops that had to pay higher overheads. This is also a different market, and my sample size is too small to be meaningful.
