Ive used the Partsexpress veneer before on a pair of speakers. It looks alright I suppose, but If you want something really nice looking, I would say to go with the veneer.Interestingly enough, my friend and I are finishing our speakers this week, (I have the theater 3pis and he has the theater 4pis) and we are using 1/4" thick birch plywood. Hopefully it will turn out ok, and we will post pictures when we finish.