Daphoid, the gold 5 way binding posts on my Axioms are just fine. I use most of them with banana plugs, others with bare wire. Not only never had an issue, but thought of the binding posts as top quality. So has every reviewer I've read.

As to the speaker grills, they are also fine. All of mine are sitting in the closet, safely wrapped. They are not flimsy, they are nicely framed and use what appears to be high quality whatever grills are made of.

First thing I do when I get some Axioms set up is discard the grills. the speakers look and sound better without them.

Daph, don't let the little stuff put you off.

Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.