[khighly]

  I have the Pros, they're miles ahead from ZST in terms of sound and comfort. I'm not sure though if i've got a defective ZST but it is very dull and lifeless. 

Sounds like you have a defective pair. The ZST's are amazing.

 

[CoiL]

  I notice something new with my pair of ATRs. They are good in low to moderate volume, but when the volume is at a head-banging level. They are sooooo screw**** excellent. Absolutely sublime, The ZSTs are also excellent even at moderate volume. I also notice that ATRs are a little harder to drive compared to the ZSTs. These pair pretty well with the Fiio Q1 by the way. 

I too noticed this.  Not sure if it's just because it's louder, but there's seems to be a threshold where the sound goes from okay to full and super enjoyable.  Bass really comes out with nice texture after a little bit of added volume.

Originally Posted by Euljiro /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Yeah, the bass man. At full blast, the bass is so satisfying. I just have to say to those who have not tried the ATRs, you have not seen the light. Everyone just seen some ATRs in their lives. Ignore the form factor, the comfort and all that. Judging only from the sound, I would definitely pick the $8 ATRs over my $300 Fidelio X2s anyday. All future KZs will be judged against the ATRs for me.

 
Yes, agree, ATR improve with amping or enough juice is needed to get out their best. I probably forgot to mention that I use my modded ATR (starline tips) with HW modified DX50 (changed opamps etc.) @ high gain @ 186-188 vol level.  
 
But at the same time, they do okay with every source I`ve tried - they are just ~15.8 Ohm anyway (without cable).
Cable itself is quite bad 1 Ohm. 
 
About Your Fidelio X2`s - I have X1 and while ATR sound very good, they do not come close to my X1`s in terms of soundstage, transparency, layering and full sounding mids. My modded ATE FF-mod is closer to X1 than ATR.
Maybe it is Your source gear matchup with X2`s that doesn`t give out their full potential or maybe it is just Your personal sound signature preference?
 

  I have the Pros, they're miles ahead from ZST in terms of sound and comfort. I'm not sure though if i've got a defective ZST but it is very dull and lifeless. 

Sounds like you have a defective pair. The ZST's are amazing.

I forgot to ask and I haven`t seen You mention it - what is Your source gear (DAC and/or amp), file quality and genre You listen? 
Also, what was Your previous "best" IEM You came from to ZST?
Anyway, maybe You do have "perfect" pair of ZST but seems then that ZST has BIG QC issues, there are many reports that they sound "dull and lifeless". 

 

[jmwreck]

 
Sounds like you have a defective pair. The ZST's are amazing.

hopefully, coz I have tried several KZs (ED9, ED10, ED11, & ED02) and they all sounded great to me.
 
Actually, when I first listened to my ZST, I thought it was ok coz I haven't been wearing iems for almost month while waiting for the ZST to arrive, but I always find it lacking and congested, mid bass is everywhere and the treble seems too rolled off. I have tried boosting the highs with an eq and it became very thin and (for the lack of word) compressed, I remembered that I used flat eq on my ED9 and my old Vsonic GR02. 

 

[jmwreck]

I forgot to ask and I haven`t seen You mention it - what is Your source gear (DAC and/or amp), file quality and genre You listen? 
Also, what was Your previous "best" IEM You came from to ZST?
Anyway, maybe You do have "perfect" pair of ZST but seems then that ZST has BIG QC issues, there are many reports that they sound "dull and lifeless". 

My source is Fiio X1, X1ii, Benjie S5 and Fiio E10k plug into my laptop. I also have an ED12 which sounds the same as my ZST, so now I'm giving up both. 

 

[khighly]

  My source is Fiio X1, X1ii, Benjie S5 and Fiio E10k plug into my laptop. I also have an ED12 which sounds the same as my ZST, so now I'm giving up both. 

ED12 is hot garbage and is missing anything above 8k. If the ZST sounds like the ED12, you have a defective pair.

 

[SjaakTrekhaak]

I just want to say I am amazed by the KZ ATR. Such a rich and detailed sound, with really impressive bass for only a few bucks. Especially if you crank the volume up, they really immerse you and seem to be able to handle every type of music really well. Been enjoying them for the last week and recommend them to everyone I know.
 
Also got the KZ ED2 and ZS3 at the same time, but the ATRs are in a whole different league.
 
Is there anything from KZ that tops the ATRs in soundstage and detail?

 

[mebaali]

   
How did you get the LZ A2S for 18.5 USD!?

It was the result of a pricing error (few sellers who got old stocks of A2S mistaking them for LZ02A and priced accordingly) in AliEx 2 months back.
 
Few of us took the chance, it was a real deal in the end. 

 

[Djsenjaya]

Ordered kz Ate, ATR, zst, and zs3.
Have received ate and initial impression was this iem sounds really depend on how we insert to the ear. And I think for the price it was really worth, even better than "shure se215" kudos kz. Now I'm waiting for air, zs3 and zst.

Using zte axon 7 and fiio x5 II as the player

 

[khighly]

  I forgot to ask and I haven`t seen You mention it - what is Your source gear (DAC and/or amp), file quality and genre You listen? 
Also, what was Your previous "best" IEM You came from to ZST?
Anyway, maybe You do have "perfect" pair of ZST but seems then that ZST has BIG QC issues, there are many reports that they sound "dull and lifeless". 

Setup:
Modi 2
Magni 2
Source is PBTHAL vinyl in 24/6 FLAC, some 320k MP3.
 
Previous IEM's
ER4P
HF5
SE315
SE846
And my cheap trusty SHE3590's.

I would order another pair. It sounds like yours came broken.

 

[gemmoglock]

 
Nop, no tricks. ATR does sound very good. Though, it can`t reach close on soundstage of B3P1. 
 

 
Woops I should clarify, I only cancelled ZST so I have ATR still coming
 
Thankfully I already bought and received separate starline tips which I'm already using on my ZS3.

 

[Griffith]

  I put in a ticket to GearBest on November 24th about my order for two pairs of KZ ZST's that I had placed on November 10th (two pairs so hubby can have a pair too)...  They responded first thing November 25th, and told me it would be another 7 days, which would be December 2nd, so hopefully we start seeing some shipping notices then ^_^

 
They replied to me today saying they are expecting to receive stock on the 28th, yesterday. I told them if they are expecting to receive stock this week to ship it as soon as possible.

 

[CoiL]

Edit: misread the answer.

 
Is there anything from KZ that tops the ATRs in soundstage and detail?

Only 2nd gen ATE FF-mod 

 

 

[Shadowsora]

  Only 2nd gen ATE FF-mod 

 

On details as well? I tried open back ATEs back then I wasn't really that impressed(Great but not really that much "Better", different is the right word to use for my case) but then again I don't have the same setup as yours, I got 2 pairs this time probably will try the FF-mod on 1 pair, and depending my impressions I may as well stock 5-6 pairs for future proofing at 4$ xD.
 
I don't know what to except with ATRs, ATE had a really pleasant sound signature, buttery smooth and forward mids were their pros as I remember them.
 
P.S FF-mod as open back hole, don't have the option to use wood.

 

[chompchomps]

  It was the result of a pricing error (few sellers who got old stocks of A2S mistaking them for LZ02A and priced accordingly) in AliEx 2 months back.
 
Few of us took the chance, it was a real deal in the end. 

 
Wow Amazing! Lucky you i guess

 

[Shawn71]

Nop, no tricks. ATR does sound very good. Though, it can`t reach close on soundstage of B3P1.
Maybe Your source is the "limit" and reason why they sound close? Btw, try KZ "starline" tips with ATR too

Yeah coil, I ordered the westone style kz's starline tips on 11:11 and in transit they are.......