I've been known to do what you did, pull minor things like speakers from stuff, but when I got rid of the 22 YO Mitsu, I didn't even to that, just took it to the recyclers and paid whatever the fee was, I think it was $15-20 or some such and it was gone.

Once I put in a "better" speaker in an inexpensive Soundesign clock radio with tape player that I got for my birthday in the early 90's so it would be clearer and somewhat improved sounding. I still have that damned clock radio, but the tape transport is on the slow side and I don't use it anymore. The radio still works pretty well tho.