Last February (2026) Sangean invited me to evaluate an upgrade to their flagship multiband portable radio ATS-909X2, a radio I have favorably reviewed, and of course I was eager to do so. They sent me an early prototype and advised it was the same as the current ATS-909X2 model but with upgraded firmware, and indeed the early prototype radio looks identical in every way. The biggest improvements aree the addition of 3 bandwidths in Single Sideband mode (the original model has only one) and the fix of the somewhat lower volume level in SSB mode.

I found they had indeed remedied the SSB volume issue and along with the addition of three SSB bandwidths the new SE version represents a worthwhile improvement. The three SSB bandwidths are 3 KHz, 2.2 KHz, 1.2 KHz. Comparing the old and new manuals I also noted that there are now 1755 memories vs 1674  on the older model, with the additions added to the FM and SW bands.

I have been advised that in addition to the new model name (adding SE for Special Edition) there will be a few additional improvements on the final production version and I will know more when I receive that…as of now Sangean US does not know exactly when the new model will actually become available.

Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Jay Allen