Sennheiser md421 vs md421 mkII ??

[mslim]

I am going to look at used black body Senn MD421 that the seller says was made in the '80's. I have an older gray tuchel plug European model that I like, that sounds different from the newer models.

What is the sonic difference between the older 421's and the newer MkII's? Is there a physical difference that would delineate an older black body 421 from the MkII's?

[The True Buck]

The mkII has hyped highs and is brighter than the previous versions, something I personally don't like very much. The grey one is still the king imo.

[Doublehelix]

I used to hear a lot that the older MD421s were so much better than the new ones, so I bought a couple of the older U5 models, and had them refurbished by Sennheiser. I love them!

But... now I have heard a lot of folks say that the difference between the older ones and the MKIIs are really not noticeable, but I have never actually used one of the newer ones, so I cannot comment.

I guess my point is that it is really easy to get caught up in all the internet gossip and rumor mills, and then make decisions without knowing the *real* facts and who is giving you the advice, and what their *real* experience with said product is.

I am not saying that The True Buck doesn't have the experience, just that you need to make decisions on your own. I wish I had before I spent the big bucks on the U5s and then the cost to refurbish them. Maybe I would have made the same decision, but I did so on rumor, not any real facts, and now I hear those same "facts" contradicted a lot. So what is real???

[warhead]

The newer models have a peak around 3k that is noticeable, and are somewhat brighter. The originals had a smoother overall sound to them. Both sound ballpark overall, but for a smoother response I'd check out an older one.

War

[mslim]

There is a difference between the old and new. I just did a session w/ the mkII's on rack toms and my old gray one on the floor toms. The old one did sound better to my old ears.

[Han]

This has been discussed a number of times before, search and you'll find.

The MK2 sounds brighter because it has an aluminium coil where the MK1 has a copper coil. There are more differences tho.

[mslim]

What about visible differences in the older black bodies vs. the newer MKII's? Do the older black bodies have the M/S switch?

[BLueROom]

If there is anyone who prefers the new one to the older one for the 3-4k bump, I'll trade you!

[lakeshorephatty]

old all the way.. was night and day difference to my ears. Its sort of a real vs hyped kind of thing. I'm glad i have a pair of the older style!

Russell