Yes they are rubbery and are a very inferior choice for these great sounding speakers, pots wear out and they are dated technology. I would like to see something like a digital gain used in future models. I set mine at 1:00 and LEAVE IT and use my volume slider on my soundcard to avoid wearing them out, go down to your local Best Buys or Comp USA and bend the knobs around like your going to break them off and you will start to hear static. *laughs* as for the control pod being remounted like under your desk or what not.. it can be done but it may affect your warranty =( I always buy the newest speakers from Klipsch every time they introduce a new product, so again im not concerned with the warranty i just swap mine out at the store.