Are different earpods wires made of different materials?

My old earpods (which I got with my iPhone 5) got destroyed recently. I went out today to buy new ones, and when I opened them I noticed that the wires on my old ones and the new ones are totally different! The old ones were more flexible, thicker and felt more "expensive", if you know what I mean. The new ones on the other hand were thinner, harder and felt relly plastic. The sound didn't differ much, though. Is this how it's supposed to be, and why? I thought they would all be alike... Kinda dissapointed. 😟