I don't know which look better, the Spendor's or the stands they are sitting on.
As for the wood being solid all the way up I can't say, but FWIW, using a hollow center post allows you to fill it with some materials that could provide better mass and dampening properties. Kitty litter, fine sand, #8 lead shot, or Star Sound Technology Micro Bearing fill are good candidates. My stands have a combination of kitty litter and lead shot in them.
As for the wood being solid all the way up I can't say, but FWIW, using a hollow center post allows you to fill it with some materials that could provide better mass and dampening properties. Kitty litter, fine sand, #8 lead shot, or Star Sound Technology Micro Bearing fill are good candidates. My stands have a combination of kitty litter and lead shot in them.