@CoiL what are the characteristics of uneven bass that you mentioned with the ATE? To my ears the ATE sound balanced though the Bass seems refrained, but I don't notice any Bass emphasis on any particular frequency range. I hope you don't mistake this for criticism, I just want to understand how to characterise what I hear better.
I wouldn`t call 2nd gen bass "uneven" like You said (and I didn`t say it like that) - 2nd gen ATE bass in stock is just a tad uncontrolled or sometimes even slightly "boomy" sounding but not in regular way due it sounds more like "laid back/distant".
Now, what interests me is when did You buy Your ATE and what package it did come with?
I`m asking because I got my new ATE from gearbest (non-S version).
The
old 2nd gen ATE had also same driver color, same port holes, same weights but came with silver/gold cable "reliefs" and in
"shield" looking plastic case and had following
code on shells: RQ: 016N8M.
The
new 5th gen ATE I got today from gearbest came with same
carton+thin plastic cover box like ATR comes with and has following
code on shells: RQ: 018NBM.
It is with golden metal weights, red driver shells, black/golden cable "reliefs" with color markings, port holes on lower nozzle necks).
Also cable seems less springy and rubbery than old one and shell are slightly more see-through.
And right OOTB the soundstage is noticeably more open and "surround" like with slightly more distant/out of the headstage imaging than ATR. Difference is not big though. Seems I got myself 5th (?) gen ATE ?
Anyway, seems they have "re-tuned" them slightly
again and it sounds much closer to my 2nd gen ATE FF-mod than old stock 2nd gen ATE - which is great news for me! I really like how it sounds (with starline tips, haven`t tried other tips yet)!
From what You said about Your ATE, it seems to me that You also have the newer version than my old 2nd gen ATE (which I bought right after translucent ATE first appeared).
Since I`m quite a junkie for large/open soundstage - I think I like them even more than stock ATR. Yes, they are not so "in your face" with details but pretty similar detail (if not same good) with just little different soundstage presentation and imaging.
Now, if someone wishes a tad more openness and larger soundstage, with slightly more distant/out of the headstage presentation than ATR - then new ATE is highly recommended by me, though, my impressions come just with brief OOTB listening.
I think I will try to make full-wood custom shells "hybrid" dual dynamic modification from ATR+ATE drivers soon (no idea about sound outcome and maybe needs some crossover testing).
And just a little dig from the past about earlier iterations of ATE:
There are at least 4 different versions of ATE:
1) Silver ATE
with vent holes and with
black/gold metal cable "reliefs".
Driver inside has red plastic housing.
This is my first version:
2) Translucent black ATE
with vent holes and with
silver/gold metal cable "reliefs".
Driver inside has red plastic housing.
This is my second version:
3) Translucent black ATE
without vent holes and with
black/gold metal cable "reliefs".
Driver inside should have blue plastic housing (not 100% sure).
4) Translucent black ATE-S with
black memory wires and with red plastic cable "reliefs".
1st and 2nd generation ATE should be using same drivers and difference in sound basically came only from different housing material.
3rd generation ATE should have blue housing drivers inside and don`t have vent holes on housing - this is where ATE got different feedback from several ppl as I remember.
4th generation ATE-S looks clearly different by cables and should have bassier sound according to many ppl. Information about driver housing colour is missing to me and vent holes seems also to be a mixed bag - some have them some don`t, at least I know so.
Hope this makes clearer which ATE to get. From my personal experience and others impressions 2nd generation ATE seems to be best. Idk if there still are any available though. Maybe ask seller before buying?
Seems like this newer 5th gen ATE has "returned" to mix of 2nd & 3rd gen - 2nd gen red shells drivers + 3rd gen black/gold metal reliefs.
The sound field of the ZST is not as wide as the XE800 and the instrument separation is not as good.
This and earlier mentioner very foward mid-bass and bass makes me think thay are not for my taste. More I read about them the more I suspect they are something like A2S.
Gotta wait for more impressions and then decide if I will try them or not. Atm I`m holding back.
