Well @thyname Michael Jackson was wearing masks before it became fashionable. So there is something there.
@pesky_wabbit yeah supply chain is probably it.
Luckily I was able to use the lamp cord as the fat 4’ AQ cables that connect to the monoblocks, would not stretch out to a stereo amp that replaced the blown monoblock(s).
The OP could also get some copper bar to replace the jumper on his speakers. Which should be easier to source with the supply chain dramas.
The speakers still sound great with lamp cords, but I did bi-wire them as they seemed a bit skinny. At least the picture is a true depiction of how it sits at the moment. Maybe it sound good because the speakers are good… but the bass end of the spectrum has been a bit thin.