Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

The DQ-12s were auditioned with Audio Research SP14 and Classé Audio DR-5 preamps, VTL 225W Deluxe monoblocks, an Adcom GFA-555 power amplifier, and a VPI HW-19 Jr. turntable with an AudioQuest PT-5 tonearm and Sumiko Boron cartridge. Digital playback was from a Wadia 2000 driven by a Marantz CD-94. Speaker cables were AudioQuest Clear Hyperlitz, and interconnects were Expressive Technologies IC-1s. The VTLs were also driven by the Wadia 2000 outputs through Electronic Visionary Systems' Ultimate Attenuators, a stepped volume control. The GFA-555 was used briefly to see how the DQ-12s performed with solid-state amplification, because it is an amplifier very likely to be used with DQ-12s, given their similar price category.

My dedicated listening room has optimal dimensional ratios, and Phantom Acoustics Shadows, an active low-frequency control system, are employed in the corners behind the loudspeakers.—Robert Harley