This is as everyone says, a composite fiberboard, which suffices in looks and is sturdy enough, but watch how far and hard you drill in the screws because you risk splitting the board into two. instead of using the supplied bolts to hold down the speakers, i actually went with mounting squares (think highway fast pass mounting tabs) which are quick removable, and allow for free positioning (since my surrounds are front weight biased..)

It's very dense, and quite substantial, much more so than cheap laminate particle board

Very poor materials (Super cheap particle board).

Its more like hard pressed partical board.

I saw all these complaints about splitting the particle board and knew right away people were whipping out the chordless screwdrivers and over-driving the screws

And with it being made of cheap particle board it split as soon as the screws were turned

Very poor materials (Super cheap particle board).

When you feel or see the first contact of both boards that you are screwing together - STOP - or you will split the boards

The cheap particle board will split.

If your speakers are going to be resting on the plate, this wont work as they will be resting on their own wire

These stands live in my dark media room so looks don't bother me as long as it's matte black, and these work perfect for my purpose