AKG 451 older version vs. newer ones

[music friend]

Does anybody know if there are any differences (in terms of construction and/or sound quality) between the older 451 (the ones with the pads that you screw on) versus the newer version with the pad on the mic itself? Just knowing how the bigger mic companies are doing things these days, I wouldn't be surprised if this is now a different beast than the ones I fell in love with a few years back.
Thanks!

[Zwinter]

I know the electronics are different in the new ones, which helps the noise floor. But those older 451's, especially the ones with the omni capsule, better than the new ones. If you are looking for one I would try Ebay.

[Jim Easton]

I had a pair of the new 451. I did a recording using my friends old pair of 451. The sound of mine compared to the old... I was shocked. The new were grainy and had lots of high end, it basically sucked, sounded like a cheap pair of oktava sc.

I immediately sold the new 451.

I also have an expensive pair of akg 480 with all the caps. The old pair of 451 sound just as good.

I am entertaining selling my 480 as well and looking for a pair 451 with caps.

I am sorry but the new 451 just sound cheap-!!

You can hear the old 451 on the two jazz Christmas songs on our site. Listen to the drum overhead, if you want.

[music friend]

Bummer- seems as though my fears are turning out to be true. I overheard an engineer in a studio I used to work at say he heard a difference as well, but I guess I was hoping for the best. uggh! i hate buying on ebay!
Why do these "pro audio" companies continue to shoot themselves in the foot (in terms of build quality)? Especially in this day and age where word (i.e. modem speed) travels quite fast. The paradigm of large pro audio companies skimping on costs to meet a price point is almost becoming comical.

[aussie_techie]

Originally Posted by music friend

Bummer- seems as though my fears are turning out to be true.

same here
the new 1s are a good price if they were the same but if thet dont measure up im back to square one.
i havnt seen any on ebay here.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by music friend

Why do these "pro audio" companies continue to shoot themselves in the foot (in terms of build quality)?

I'll point out that in terms of "build quality" the new C451B is easily the equal of if not better than the original C451-EB; it's "sound quality" that most folks have an issue with.

[C/G]

Don't worry about ebay, used 451's come up used on here all the time. Do a search in the classifieds and I bet there are still one or two available.

[absrec]

I picked up a pair of C451EBs last year and I have to say after using them on overheads, acoustic guitar, top snare, bottom snare, and hi hat, they are great. They got some cool top end on them. I never heard the newer ones, but after reading all of the negative opinions of them, I'm not sure I want to.

Anyway, before I bought them I was told to make sure they have the CK1 capsules. Apparently, that's a big part of the sound. I paid $500 for the pair and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

-Aaron