Here is a question for a real expert. The 500H seems to have come with two different surface finishes for the metal oval grille. One is smooth metal and the second has a horizontally oriented fabric-like texture. What determined which went where? The date of production? The color of the plastic case?

Thanks

I am not an expert on zenith, although I own a 500H, but I am a good guesser. I would say the shiny grill was first, but shiny metal collects finger prints and small scuffs would easily be noticeable, even during the manufacturing process. so they might have changed it to a semi matte pattern to reduce the rejects from the QC department. Just my 2 cents worth, Logan