Update / 2/20/2014:
These are both still in use as speaker stands and they may have been moved or handled a total of 3 or 4 times since I assembled them. They could be from a bad factory batch, but they are rapidly changing in both fit and finish since they were put into use. The wood is actually Rubberwood and the tops are constructed of several joined boards. Both tables are now showing a distinct warping where each of these top boards is beginning to cup along its entire length. i.e., too much moisture from improper drying, or green wood being used. In some areas the finish is also separating from the wooden top itself and looking like blotches of spilled milk thats become trapped underneath.
These were incredibly cheap to buy and I wasnt expecting them to be heirloom quality tables, but I was expecting something more than 2 months. Neither one requires a replacement just yet and I might be able to replace the tops with something suitable / assuming the rest of the wood holds up / but I wont be buying more or recommending them to anyone else.
I ordered a pair, and both arrived without any cosmetic issues or broken pieces / although the boxes looked a bit rough. They were both a bit darker than the color shown, like more of a darkened reddish mahogany than a medium coffee. These are indeed solid wood, but definitely not an american/type hardwood and lighter in weight than I would have guessed for their size. The finish is pretty good, but who knows how theyll look or hold up over time.
The biggest issue in my case was the poor choice for some of the included and ill/fitting assembly hardware. The holes for all of the circular lock pieces used on the lower shelf were considerably bigger than the hardware they held, plus those pieces were poorly made molded pot metal and I had almost all of them deform when tightening and never really locked anything in place / and / 1 busted in half with only the moderate pressure I used on all of them. Id suggest you only use non/powered screwdrivers to assemble these, or risk everything crumbling or breaking.
The good news is that the screws holding the legs to the top almost lock the lower shelf in place, despite the flaky hold from the other problem pieces. Not a real issue for me, but they arent terribly steady when assembled and you place any kind of heavy weighted stuff on them. I use them as stands for 16lb front surround speakers, so they wont move or be used daily as regular tables. Great for my use and at the price offered, but not for high traffic areas, holding table lamps or breakable things like big vases.
Looks good, but be prepared for surprises
Update / 2/20/2014: These are both still in use as speaker stands and they may have been moved or handled a total of 3 or 4 times since I assembled them. They could be from a bad factory batch, but they are rapidly changing in both fit and finish since they were put into use. The wood is actually Rubberwood and the tops are constructed of several joined boards. Both tables are now showing a distinct warping where each of these top boards is beginning to cup along its entire length. i.e., too much moisture from improper drying, or green wood being used. In some areas the finish is also separating from the wooden top itself and looking like blotches of spilled milk thats become trapped underneath. These were incredibly cheap to buy and I wasnt expecting them to be heirloom quality tables, but I was expecting something more than 2 months. Neither one requires a replacement just yet and I might be able to replace the tops with something suitable / assuming the rest of the wood holds up / but I wont be buying more or recommending them to anyone else. I ordered a pair, and both arrived without any cosmetic issues or broken pieces / although the boxes looked a bit rough. They were both a bit darker than the color shown, like more of a darkened reddish mahogany than a medium coffee. These are indeed solid wood, but definitely not an american/type hardwood and lighter in weight than I would have guessed for their size. The finish is pretty good, but who knows how theyll look or hold up over time. The biggest issue in my case was the poor choice for some of the included and ill/fitting assembly hardware. The holes for all of the circular lock pieces used on the lower shelf were considerably bigger than the hardware they held, plus those pieces were poorly made molded pot metal and I had almost all of them deform when tightening and never really locked anything in place / and / 1 busted in half with only the moderate pressure I used on all of them. Id suggest you only use non/powered screwdrivers to assemble these, or risk everything crumbling or breaking. The good news is that the screws holding the legs to the top almost lock the lower shelf in place, despite the flaky hold from the other problem pieces. Not a real issue for me, but they arent terribly steady when assembled and you place any kind of heavy weighted stuff on them. I use them as stands for 16lb front surround speakers, so they wont move or be used daily as regular tables. Great for my use and at the price offered, but not for high traffic areas, holding table lamps or breakable things like big vases.