is the cabinet dull, mottled, pealing or literally rubbing off?

(choose for a closer look)
	cabinet is dull and sticky to the touch
	cabinet finish is peeling or rubbing off

is the cabinet expanding and pulling itself apart? separating at the seams?

cabinet corner is crumbling and separating at the seams

Expansion usually signals dampness or water damage. But separation without expansion could mean bass sounds are literally shaking your speakers apart.

Due to the high cost of wood, some manufacturers have substituted cheap particle board in order to reduce the costs of production. inexpensive particle board absorbs moisture easily and may be the cause of veneer or cabinet separation.

Another widely used manufacturing cost reduction tactic is the use of inexpensive veneer (a thin layer of wood or adhesive paper printed to resemble wood grain) to cover speaker cabinets. Cheap veneer behaves a lot like contact paper. Over time, both may become tacky or literally separate from the wood.

Treatment

If you send your old speakers to AME, we'll give you $40 off a replacement set of AME speakers! they're covered by a lifetime warranty because they're manufactured with the best parts and high quality cabinetry.

...or, visit sound medic for more advice.