Dahlquist

The DQ-10 changed what a speaker could look like — and sound like

History

Dahlquist Corporation was founded in 1972 in Hauppauge, New York through a partnership between aerospace engineer Jon Dahlquist and audio legend Saul Marantz. Marantz, who had sold his namesake company to Superscope in the late 1960s, discovered Dahlquist's revolutionary speaker design and immediately purchased a 49% stake in the new venture.

The company's debut product, the DQ-10, was unveiled at the 1972 New York Audio Show. It was revolutionary—the first speaker to use time-alignment technology, ensuring that sound waves from different drivers arrived at the listener's ear simultaneously. This addressed a fundamental issue in multi-driver speaker design that had previously gone unrecognized.

Jon Dahlquist's background in aerospace engineering (he had worked on the lunar landing module) informed his analytical approach to speaker design. The DQ-10's distinctive appearance—a tall, angled baffle with drivers staggered vertically—was functionally driven by the need for proper time alignment.

The DQ-10 became an audiophile legend, remaining in production for over 15 years. Dahlquist expanded the line with various models, but the DQ-10 remained the company's signature product. The company eventually closed in the late 1980s, but the DQ-10's influence on speaker design continues today.

Key Facts

• Founded: 1972, Hauppauge, New York
• Founders: Jon Dahlquist & Saul Marantz
• Key Innovation: Time-aligned driver technology
• Debut Product: DQ-10 (1972)
• Design Philosophy: Functionally-driven aesthetics
• Status: Defunct (late 1980s)

Legendary Products

Dahlquist DQ-10 (1972-1988)

The speaker that started it all. Using a unique angled baffle with staggered drivers (tweeter at top, midrange below, woofers at bottom), the DQ-10 achieved time alignment between drivers. Its open-baffle midrange and dipole woofers created a spacious, natural soundstage that captivated audiophiles.

Dahlquist DQ-12 (1980s)

A floor-standing evolution of the DQ-10 design, featuring larger woofers and refined crossover networks. The DQ-12 offered deeper bass and higher output while maintaining the time-aligned philosophy.

Dahlquist DQ-20 (1980s)

The company's flagship speaker, featuring advanced crossover design and premium drivers. The DQ-20 represented the ultimate expression of Dahlquist's time-alignment principles.

Dahlquist Subwoofers

The company produced several active subwoofer models designed to complement their main speakers, including the DQM-9, which became popular for adding bass extension to the DQ-10.

Classic Models Reference

• DQ-10: 1972-1988, Floor, Time-aligned, open baffle
• DQ-12: 1980s, Floor, Larger version of DQ-10
• DQ-20: 1980s, Floor, Flagship model
• DQM-9: 1980s, Subwoofer, Active sub for DQ-10
• DQ-8: 1980s, Bookshelf, Compact time-aligned
• DQ-16: 1980s, Floor, Entry-level floorstander
• DQ-1W: 1980s, Woofer, Dedicated bass module

Sound Signature

Dahlquist speakers are characterized by:

• Coherent imaging - Time alignment creates precise stereo image
• Spacious soundstage - Dipole woofers create open presentation
• Natural midrange - Open-baffle midrange driver
• Accurate tonality - Proper phase relationships
• Jazz/classical focus - Designed for acoustic instruments

Collecting Dahlquist

Vintage Dahlquist speakers are valued for:

• Time-alignment heritage - Pioneer of phase-coherent design
• Saul Marantz connection - Final chapter in Marantz's career
• DQ-10 longevity - 16-year production run
• Upgradeability - Many units modified and improved
• Unique appearance - Distinctive angled baffle design

Restoration Tips

Common Dahlquist service items:

• Replace crossover capacitors (essential for sound quality)
• Refoam or replace woofer surrounds
• Check and secure driver mounting
• Verify time-alignment geometry
• Update binding posts for modern cables

Competitors & Comparisons

Dahlquist vs Magneplanar: Both dipole designs; Dahlquist dynamic drivers, Magneplanar planar magnetic

Dahlquist vs Vandersteen: Both time-alignment pioneers; similar philosophies

Dahlquist vs KEF: Different approaches; KEF coincident drivers, Dahlquist vertical alignment

All Models in Archive (29)

Speakers

• Dahlquist - Time-Aligned Pioneers

Speakers

• ALS-3 - 1978
• DQ-10 - 1974
• DQ-10A - 1978
• DQ-12 - 1977
• DQ-16 - 1977
• DQ-18 - 1978
• DQ-1W - 1974
• DQ-20 - 1977
• DQ-20I - 1978
• DQ-28 - 1975
• DQ-30 - 1978
• DQ-30I - 1978
• DQ-6C - 1978
• DQ-6CI - 1979
• DQ-8 - 1977
• DQM-3 - 1978
• DQM-5 - 1981
• DQM-7 - 1978
• DQM-7C - 1979
• DQM-9 - 1985
• DQM-9C - 1980
• M903 - 1979
• M905 - 1978
• M907 - 1979
• M907I - 1978
• M909 - 1979
• M909I - 1985
• MX1 - 1978

Turntables

• DQ-LP1 - 1978