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What's next for the ultimate sound quality?

The question may be naive, but I'm not sure what's next to try in the quest for the ultimate sound. I owned the entry level magnepans mmg (didn't like them much for anything but jazz), monitor audio S6 (good all around, imho, but nothing spectacular except for the cheap price tag). Lately I built speakers myself that should supposedly rival the best in the world (ZRT 2.5 from Zaph Audio with Scanspeak drivers)

(design):
http://www.zaphaudio.com/ZRT.html

actual speakers:
http://picasaweb.google.com/grybkin/ZRTSpeakers

The question is what's next? These speakers use one of the best drivers in the world and the best I've heard to date with excellent bass and accurate sound, but soundstage and imaging could be improved (magnepans are better). Also, the sound is a little thin. Am I asking too much, though, from 2 wooden boxes with paper diaphragms in the middle? The speakers are built precisely up to spec and I'm pretty sure that's the way they should sound.

Have I reached the limit where the speakers should be left alone and improving other components can make better returns; e.g, room acoustics and/or amplifier not to mention using quality recordings?

P.S. The receiver I'm currently using is Panasonic SA57 connected to a computer via digital COAX cable and JULI@ sound card. Despite the cheap price, this receiver is great, imho, and sounds better than my NAD 754 (probably because Panasonic is on the bright side and the speakers are warm, so it pairs with them better).

Thanks!
Gleb.
asdf777

Showing 4 responses by s7horton

s7horton
1,077 posts
 
The next step is Troels Ekta Grande with the 7000 ring radiator. I'm not sure you are giving these speakers everything they deserve. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the sound quality though. There are probably not a ton of people on audiogon familiar with these speakers. I'd like to see them paired with something like the Krell 400 xi.
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
Don't confuse dollars with quality. There are some pro drivers that are better, but just because they cost several times more than the scans the OP used does not make them better. There are also much more expesive consumer drivers. Accuton, and Audio Technology to name a couple, but the general consensus is that the Scans still come out on top. My personal opinion is that there are better drivers than the Scans, but these two (8531 and 6600) are widely recognized as some of the best for home use - regardless of price.

Zaph is definitely a measurements type of guy. Which is great, I think. He designs first, then listens. Tough to listen while you are designing, that why measurements work.
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
There are many tube amps out there that will do just fine against your Panasonic. In fact, if you got sold on that one because it is "all digital" I'm afraid you've been had. It sounds like you have not had the opportunity to experiment with many different amplifiers. The Krell I spoke of was not a reciever, although they made one. It is an integrated amplifier.

The speakers you built are nice speakers. My initial hunch (now after reading all the other comments) is that you need to work on amplification, placement in room, and room treatments.

Regarding thin sounding, you can't blame that on all paper cones. I would disagree that this is why they sound thin. At least the woofer is used in many other high end audio speakers that are not thought of as "thin"
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
That's what audiogon is for. Figure out what you want, buy it used, and sell it later for small or no loss if you don't like it.

In my opinion, those speakers deserve better than a reciever. Something like a really nice integrated, or a separate pre amp and power amp.

I do not think a tube amp is the answer. I think better quality solid state along with proper placement, and room treatments is the answer.
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