What you don't like and normally search ?
I doubt the price is a problem, drops are normal, especially on Gearbest. I found them a lot source and EQ sensitive, on the warm side, without sibilance, more congested than more expensive KZ models ( if we can say that ) and with a very microphonic cable. For the price they have a good potential, try messing with the EQ.
You mean like the cheaper/more expensive they are, the better/worse they sound or something?
I'm not sure I follow.
No, I bought them on pre sale/flash sale when they were initially released. The price was too good to pass, especially considering it was a dual driver and that the prices go up once the earphones are released.
I have the first gen ATEs and Zircons.
The ATE was a huge surprise considering that it was my first Chinese IEM. For that price you could only get junk at the local store. They had a strong bass but then I read that they come from the factory with glue on the breathing holes and that they sound much better if you remove it. After struggling to remove the soft glue from the holes, the sound changed so much that I thought I damaged the driver. Almost zero bass and much more "airy" with a bigger sound stage.
The Zircons are my go to IEM. Great price and build quality, good sound insolation but they can be too bassy at times.
Now the ZSE..
I was watching a movie with them and I just couldn't take it. During a driving scene the engine noise and bass were close while the voices were recessed and distant to the point that I couldn't make out what they were saying.
Same thing with music. They sound dark. The bass is strong, not too precise, vocals way behind, probably outside in the yard behind the shed.
I did burn them in and I used only them for a couple of days. They are not terrible, you can get used to them and they don't sound too bad, but when I switch to the other two it's night and day difference. The ZSE sound cheap compared to them. That's why I asked if that's price related.
One more thing, I've read that they are airy because they have an open back, but mine don't feel like that and they don't leak sound. Could it be that they also glued shut? lol