I guess measuring it's weight would be one of the answers, but it doesn't seem practical because wood of a same type can probably fluctuate in it's density enough to make measurement unreliable in 10-20% moisture range. Are there any specific tips for wood like ash, beech or oak?
Wood – How to tell if wood is properly dried
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Staining can be a very fussy process. It's not as easy as they make it look in the commercials or on those DIY shows (if you want it to look good). Preparation is key. Any defects in the wood like knots, checks, sanding marks, etc. will only be exaggerated by the stain. You should sand to at least 220. Keep in mind that some woods, like pine, just don't take a liquid stain well at all. For those, a gel stain would be better. In general, a gel stain is a lot more forgiving for an even color appearance.
This is an example of a typical framing of the wall you describe
The drywall covers the framing and the white areas in between.
In general, when mounting anything on the wall (other than the lightest of pictures), it is better if you can attach to a stud (one of the framing members, usually wood, but sometimes thin steel).
To find out where the studs are, you can use a stud finder.
Or you can poke a series of holes until you find where the hollow (drywall) ends and the solid (stud) begins. To poke the holes, you can use an awl or a very small drill bit.
In your particular case, figure out where you want your speakers. Then check to see if there are studs in the immediate vicinity or close. sometimes it's worth shifting an inch or three to get a solid mount.
If there are studs within reach, use wood screws to attach to the studs. If there are not, use drywall mounts.
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Best Answer
Your best bet is to get a moisture meter, like this one: Amazon link to one meter. Moisture meters come various ranges: you want one that measures in the 6-14% range or so. Anything above 14% is not useful for woodworking as it will shrink too much.
Meters come in two varieties, pinned and pinless. The pinned meters measure stick two electrodes into the wood about 1/4" and measure the electrical resistance. You tell the meter what species you're measuring, and it uses an internal table to tell you the moisture content.
The pinless variety won't mar your wood, but they're quite a bit more expensive. They use induction or ESP or fairy dust or something to read the moisture level.
If your wallet is glued shut, you can use weight to measure the moisture content. Have a look here.