The lens I have are decent. Probably 8.5. They are black and not the gold anodized models.The cabinets are constructed out of 3/4" Baltic birch. No "timberblend" particleboard was used. I used maple where it called for pine or alder. I also used biscuit joints instead of splines and lots of glue. I call them the speakers from hell. A real love hate relationship!