Hi All -
Time for my $0.02...
The MDS1 and 409N capsules are IDENTICAL - I just disassembled 3 409Ns and a fresh, never opened, MDS1.
The holes on the reflectors are exactly the same size (on the mics I have).
My questions are about foam on the 409N.
It appears that two different styles of suspension/support and foam were used in the 409Ns I disassembled. Both capsules have some old foam residue on the top front (the reflector), and I cannot tell what is original, but my experience is that most 409Ns and some 409U3s I've seen have had pretty serious foam rot.
Example One: (one 409N)
The capsule is isolated and held via rubber pads on three plastic semicircles that are screwed to small ears on the gold grille. There is a small hollow circle of foam glued on the reflector around the little hole on the capsules front, and a larger hollow circle of foam glued on the aluminum capsule housing on the back. There is also a silk-like screen on the inside of the gold grille. The front pictures posted by J.J. Blair are just like this 409N, except his 409N appears to also have a cork-like ring on the outside top front of the capsule. The back pictures posted by J.J. Blair do not show the foam ring on the capsule back mine has...
Example Two (two 409Ns):
The capsule is isolated via a foam pad about the depth of the capsule with a cutout for the capsule. The three gold ears are still on the gold grill, but are flat to the grille - apparently not used anymore, and never used. There are also thinner (about 1/4") foam pads inside the black and gold grilles - a foam support system like all my 409U3s, and 609s.
My questions are: Am I missing any foam pieces in example one? It has less bass, but sounds "rounder", maybe even better, even when I switch the capsules, or use MDS1 capsules - so apparently the way the support and foam is configured is affecting the sound of the mic.
And...
Does anyone else have 409Ns using the suspension/support I described in example two? Just foam pads - like a 409U3 or a 609...
And...
I have the terminal on the right as my Tuchel pin 1 (positive) - how's your phasing?? (-:
I was able to obtain 609/906 foam rebuild kits from Sennheiser - I have yet a few more 409Ns that need foam, and apparently never used example one's suspension/support system, so I would like to rebuild them as example two 409Ns.
I'll post some photos if anyone is interested.
Thanks -