Here's a story to make you feel better.
I got my M22s from the outlet for $360. When I got them, they were externally flawless. The only problem I could find with them was that the vortex port on one (currently the right speaker) was glued together incorrectly.
The vortex port is made from two parts that are glued together to form a long continuous port. If you stick your finger into the port and feel along a few inches in (not unlike a prostate exam, I hear...!) you should find a seam. On my speaker, the vortex ribs are not lined up at this seam. but skewed so that the peak on one outermost part lines up with the valley on the inner part.
I've always had a nagging suspicion that this affects the sound to a small degree. I know the outlet items are supposed to be acoustically perfect, but still...
