Why does setting the specular color to white, make my model turn black?

I don't understand specular in the standard shader. When the color is set to black, the model looks normal. But when the specular color is brighter, the model gets darker. Here's a pic with the specular color set to black (the default):



And here is the same model, with the only difference being the specular color is set to white:



Obviously I'm not understanding how specular works with this new shader. I would expect the specular highlights to be brighter, but do nothing to the diffuse color...

 

Specular takes from diffuse.

http://www.rorydriscoll.com/2009/01/25/energy-conservation-in-games/

 

Or more easier to understand is this picture:

Left is nonsense right looks correct.
http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_education/energy_conservation/energy_conservation.htm

 

If you add a reflection probe it might make more sence.

 

What you did is make your character mirrory like metal. It doesn't show because you didn't use any lighprobes, so there is nothing to reflect, hence the black. Use a dark grey value for specular.

This is what I used to make the specular texture for this tile floor.



I suggest you watch the standard shader presentation: http://unity3d.com/learn/tutorials/modules/beginner/5-pre-order-beta/standard-shader