Can't give input on old vs. new, but I will warn that the protective grille is more delicate than you might expect, being paper-like. It's not a problem most of the time, but you need to be very careful with using the wire loop end of a hearing aid cleaner to scrape out debris, as poking the grille with it is likely to end with a punctured filter and a $200 fee for a 10-cent part replacement if your unit isn't covered under warranty.

Not sure whether their new cable is different, but the case isn't an issue if you switch to a flexible third-party cable without memory wire. I use a 2-pin from DUNU, although I'm uncertain whether that model's still being sold.