Thanks for the input guys. I think I can manage to rig up a test speaker and power resistor like you described.
Although it does sound like fun, I'm no carpenter and don't have the tools anyway so I'll have to farm out the task of fabricating new legs.
Here's a little video I made while polishing up that cadmium.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n8-vY7OBaQ