Can someone give me some help on the best way to build some built-in stereo shelves in my basement? I've made a sketch in Paintbrush of what I had in mind but I was thinking of using a good grade of plywood and routering out the sides to fit the shelves but I don't want the plywood edges visible from the front. I thought of painting the inside flat black possibly. I left a space in the framing and drywall 30 1/2" x 37 1/2" for the shelves to be built into so I'll need to frame the shelves with some trim too. Any help would be appreciated.

Geeez, those drawings turned out big. Sorry

I kind of like them, good job. You sure can do what you have outlined but there are better materials than plywood, especially if you are going to paint. I'd use a faced MDF, Anderson lumber calls theirs Kronospan Melamine Faced MDF, you can learn more by googling their site. The face edges can be covered with the same material almost like applying formica to a counter top and edge. You could get the Melamine in colors including black, kind of setting it off or just paint. I like you idea and would add the fascia trim using lumber stained like other features in the room.

I wonder if I can get a faced MDF locally like Lowe's or HD. Does it router well?

I like the idea of staining the fascia trim on the shelves but what's the best way to trim around the outside? I don't think casing would look right. I guess I could find a decorative 3" wide moulding and use the rosettes on the corners.