How long does it take a decent quality speaker to "wear out"?

@immatthewj 

Correction,  I did have to replace a tweeter, but that was probably my fault. 😀

I had to have the foam surrounds of my WATT/Puppy Puppies replaced after about 20 years.

Long time ago, I blew out the midrange of a Rectilinear III Highboy doing stereo wars in a dorm.  Duh.

Gradient 1.3 speakers still playing them after 27 years. I been thinking about buying a new pair of speakers,  like the Raven celesti speaker ,any opinions , I know they have 45 day trial, Like do they sound very clear on top,  like horns .I have read 2 Audiogon reviews and pt audio, and Steve Huff. My speaker are not box speakers, If this helps ,thanks,,,

I have 30 year old Legacy Focus and Signature III speakers in my listening rooms and two pairs of 1970s/1980s speakers (one being ADS L620) for my TVs and had to replace only one, non-butyl surround on my Sig IIIs (bottom woofer). They play better than new. Truly, speakers can last one’s lifetime.  In storage-Dynacos 25, 35 and 50 speakers-perfect condition.

On my circa 1982 AR-9, the smaller sheets of diffraction limiting flat acoustic panels around the tweeters and midrange drivers turned to a messy dust and need to be replaced. (These are panel around the drivers that fit inside a larger, thicker acoustic foam that has not deteriorated), not the "surrounds" that are attached to the drivers). Fortunately, I think I've found some materials that are similar and self-adhesive and will use those. Looking forward to getting another 10 to 30 years use out of these babies before I kick the bucket and they get passed on to my nephew or they end up in a yard sale for $50...Sadly, I could see that happening. 

Yes, modern speakers should sound "better" but to tell the truth, I LOVE my old AR-9.  I would only consider replacing them with something similar like the Arendal 1723 THX or maybe the lower end Polk R700 depending on my budget and 401K in this inflationary, regressive economy.