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dahlquist dq20's vs dcm timewindows 3

geph0007 said:
DQ 20 verses a Vandersteen 2c??
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FWIW, I have Vandersteen 2ce speakers right next to DQ-20s. Both have been gently massaged for better performance. They are very close in performance, as they came from the same era and same design ethos. The biggest differences are in the crossover (1st order (V) vs. 2nd order (DQ)), tweeter (AL dome (V) vs. silk dome (DQ)), and bass alignment (passive radiator (V) vs. sealed (DQ)). The similarities are 3-way, minimal baffle, midrange and tweeter separated from the woofer, and time aligned drivers.

Performance wise, they are very similar. Bass depth goes to the Vandersteens, I think because of the passive (actually quasi-passive) radiator alignment. It is very sophisticated, with the passive having its own circuitry included in the crossover. I can hear a 30Hz tone, but not from the DQ-20s. They do play into the mid-30's though. The quality of bass is very similar from both speakers. Their nonlinearities are largely a result of the room they're in. Midrange and treble goes to the DQ-20's, again by a hair. The Vandersteens sound great in this regard by themselves, but against the DQs a bit of harshness is revealed.

I suspect that against modern speakers of similar price and design ethos both of these speakers would have their shortcomings revealed. But for what they are, you really can't go wrong with either. And I agree that they both are in a league above any DCM speaker.
 
jhoyt said:
I suspect that against modern speakers of similar price and design ethos both of these speakers would have their shortcomings revealed.
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Thanks for your review, it does detail the expectations for these speakers.

I don't think that a similar price today could come close to these two speakers. Maybe something at about 1.5 times their cost as the 2CE Sig II is 3k today might be closer. It is still thought of as a pretty good speaker.
 
The DQ-20s were close to $2K new, 25 years ago. I think the Vandersteen 2ce's were a bit less, but close.
 
I believe when my brother bought the 2CE in about 91 they were $1995, but the orion guide has em at 1295 in 92.
 
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Searching on info about DCM TW3 brought me here, and I have to say, I auditioned a pair of DQ20 a guy was selling. Set up in listening room, gobs of high end power, and I think they were horrible. Had volume, but no musicality, no passion to them. They look expensive, and exude quality, but I left very disappointed, and with my money in my pocket. (As a reference, I've heard DQ10s but only with tv broadcast, but I thought they sounded much better!)
 
VBB said:
Searching on info about DCM TW3 brought me here, and I have to say, I auditioned a pair of DQ20 a guy was selling. Set up in listening room, gobs of high end power, and I think they were horrible. Had volume, but no musicality, no passion to them. They look expensive, and exude quality, but I left very disappointed, and with my money in my pocket. (As a reference, I've heard DQ10s but only with tv broadcast, but I thought they sounded much better!)
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Were they recapped? Night and day difference when I did mine.
 
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