You could hide them by topping them with a round piece of wood and a table cloth.

Are you actually using them as speakers, too? Not that it really matters here.

You could take lengths of fabric (could use sheets, curtains, fabric, etc) and wrap them like a present and add tempered glass tops.
You could use a good primer and paint them. Pop out the speaker fronts and replace w/ painted homosote. Or cover the speaker mesh w/ fabric or decorative paper.

You could cover them w/ wallpaper and add the glass tops.

The big box home stores have very nice wood tops in both round and square sizes all w/ nice edges and ready to stain or paint or do other decorative things to.

Clever of you to realize they made great bedside tables!

I used Minwax polyshades on two well-used nightstands, and it really improved them!

Here is a link that might be useful: Minwax Polyshades

Actually we do use them and they sound great! Our bedroom is small, too small for the speakers and nightstands. Since we don't actually have nightstands I thought these could maybe sort of serve that purpose, since they were in our room anyway. Actually, the main reason I thought of it is b/c yesterday I found (and bought) a great set of lamps on CL (two table lamps and a floor lamp) and I decided we needed to improvise some nightstands so I could get those lamps! :-)

Because we use them I don't really want to cover them w/cloth. They are just huge Altec-Lansing speakers with nice sound and I don't want to replace them w/something smaller (for various reasons, mainly that we won't be able to get comparable sound w/o spending a LOT and I think they're attractive, overall, just need some TLC). I can post a photo tonight.

What I was trying to ask was, is there something I can oil them with that will make the wood look less dry, not necessarily shiny, and remove the stains or help to minimize the stains/marks? I don't want to put any polyurethane on them if I can avoid it. Maybe I should ask on the woodworking forum. Thanks all!

Depends on what the original finish is. Is it the plastic veneer that was used in the 70's? Not much you can do w/ this other than paint it.

If it is wood or wood veneer then you can try a wood polishing wax or oil (NOT Pledge!). Sometimes you can get rid of water marks w/ or a bit of mineral oil or even toothpaste. The sticker stuff will come off w/ WD40 or Goo-Be-Gone.

The speaker boxes are not plastic, they are either solid wood or have a thick wood veneer. I like the wood, actually, it has minimal grain and low sheen. How do you use mineral oil or toothpaste to take out water marks?

As for the adhesive mark, it's not sticky it just left a dark mark in the shape of a label that was on it (the price tag from an old garage sale--no one bought the speakers).

I don't think putting a light weight table cloth on them would have any effect on the sound at all.

Can't help with the finish issue, but if you're using them for sound, placing them on either side of the headboard isn't the optimum location.

I'd be willing to bet they are solid not veneered and most likely oiled walnut - I know because I had the same speakers! I'd use a good wood cleaner on them and see where that get you. If it doesn't remove all the adhesive from the stickers you may need to try denatured alsohol. Then they'll need a good oiling after but should glow when you're done. How is the fabric covering the speakers? Chances are it's pretty dirty and could use cleaning if not replacing. The sound on those old speakers is not replacable with the new minis - we still have ours in our basement and our kids are fighting about who gets them!

My DH who is an audiovisual fanatic says those were and still are high end speakers. So his guess is that they didn't use cheap wood. I just saw a product in an antique store specifically for water rings. I don't remember what it was called but it definitely exists. It may even be worth a call to the company to ask them about the material. Maybe their retro look could be your guide for the style of your bedroom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Altec Lansing

Darn, link doesn't go to the speakers. I have this brand of speakers in my car!

Are they anything like this:

Here is a link that might be useful: Speakers

There are several products you can use. One is Restore. It lifts old shellac and redistributes it around; you use it on old wood and it really does restore it. Another is Old English Scratchcoat (sp?) that stains blond scratches and dry places darker so they blend in. Another is Formby's Tung Oil. That is a "watered down" varnish that restores a lovely gentle shine. I wouldn't paint speakers that you use as they're engineered to be good sound the way they are.

Not to highjack the original post, but can Restore be used on oak kitchen caibinets that need a "face lift?"

Wow so many responses!

First, since we use the speakers only for the stereo (no tv in our room) and I only have the stereo when I'm working in there (ironing or whatever, on the side of the room opposite our bed) they are actually in a pretty good spot. They face into the room in the non-sleeping area, if that makes sense. Our room is probably 12x12 so it's cozy--especially w/giant speakers in there! :-) Oh, and we don't have a headboard b/c our bed is up against the window. The room is rather pitiful compared to many bedrooms I've seen here.

They are Altec Lansing Model 14 studio monitors and I did a quick Google search, apparently some people think they're worth a bit!

They are not solid wood :-( I found a spot where a small piece of veneer has chipped off and there's particle board under. Oh well, minor detail! The veneer is pretty thick though, and I think it chipped b/c it's so dry (and DH is not gentle).

Oceanna I will look into those products. I have Formbys and I like it for the items I've used it on. However, it does add a polyurethane finish and I don't want that. I'll also look for "wood cleaner" and see what it says. I didn't know wood cleaner existed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Model 14s on CL!!!

You could try to re-veneer them. I love the look of burled wood. It is getting more and more rare all the time, and its gorgeous. A few years ago, I had the idea to do some dog crates when we were remodeling to use for end tables. I didn't actually DO it, but I did research it a lot. You can find some lovely veneers and its not as difficult a job as you'd imagine. I would google how to veneer and "book veneer" (a specific veneering term).

You can order beautiful wood veneers online or on ebay or even find some at hobby lobby.

I hadn't thought of re-veneering. I might try that with the chip, but not both speakers! I have too many other things going on right now to try to deal w/that, even if it's easier than I think. ;-)

I was just hoping someone could tell me "this is how to clean off water marks and other spots" and "this is what you use to oil wood". Most of my wood furniture is stained and poly'd so wood maintenance is not something I'm familiar with.

I'm starting to think that the dark spots where the labels used to be are just areas where the wood is less dried out (since they were covered). The speaker specs I found online indicate the speakers are covered in "hand rubbed oiled walnut" so I'm going to try to clean the wood and re-oil and leave it at that. I will give DH a coaster for his speaker/table since he leaves drinks there a lot. :-0!!!

Thanks everyone!