brand new caps and different solders. the top end is much more open and airy. very pristine, delicate, smooth, no harshness at all and more extended. the mids are oh so natural with great resolution,clarity and smoothness.they are neither recessed or forward sounding. just plain right. the bottom end is more solid, has better definition and again is more open and natural and is bigger sounding and deeper. the whole speaker from top to bottom is much more continuous sounding , very relaxed sounding and never bites back in anyway. the soundstage is bigger, has more height and depth. this is a speaker that must be heard. check out the merlin web site for more details.