is there a way to get the glossy black finish of some home stereo speakers (i think AR makes em) with wood (theres is plastic i believe)

 

sand it smooth. prime it with a couple coats. paint it gloss black with a few coats. clear coat it with a few coats. wax it.

take your time and use good quality paint and it should come out nice.

 

Go to a hardware/home store and they have things like a polyurethane that if you apply many coats over several days you can get a nice shine. This way you can keep the wood look if you choose or do it over paint. Make sure that it will adhere to a glossy paint if that's what you use.