How to Amplify Speakers on a Bookshelf

Bookshelf speakers must be connected to a receiver or amplifier.

Most home speakers are passive--they do not have any built-in amplification and must be powered by connection to a power source, like an amplifier or receiver. Placing your speakers on a bookshelf is a good audio and decor solution in many homes, but once placed there, the speakers must be connected to your amplifier or receiver. Fortunately this is a straightforward task.

Things You'll Need

• Speaker wire
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers
• Receiver or amplifier

Instructions

1. 

   Cut your speaker wire to length with wire strippers.

   Cut two lengths of speaker wire, with each long enough to reach from a speaker to the rear panel of your receiver or amplifier. Cut the wires to length with wire cutters. Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the speaker wire leads on each end of the wires using a set of wire strippers.

2. Push in on the red tab on the back of the right speaker--that is the speaker on the right side of the bookcase as you look at it from the front. Insert a speaker wire lead into the terminal and then release the tab to hold the wire. Push in on the black tab on the back of the same speaker. Insert a speaker wire lead into the terminal and release the tab to hold the wire.

3. Push in on the red tab on the back of the left speaker--that is the speaker on the left side of the bookcase as you look at it from the front. Insert a speaker wire lead into the terminal and release the tab to hold the wire. Push in on the black tab on the back of the same speaker. Insert a speaker wire lead into the terminal and release the tab to hold the wire.

4. Push in on the tab on the back of your amplifier marked R+. Insert the other end of the speaker wire lead connected to the right speaker's red terminal. Release the tab to hold the wire. Push in on the tab on the back of your amplifier marked R-. Insert the other end of the speaker wire lead connected to the right speaker's black terminal. Release the tab to hold the wire.

5. Push in on the tab on the back of your amplifier marked L+. Insert the other end of the speaker wire lead connected to the left speaker's red terminal. Release the tab to hold the wire. Push in on the tab on the back of your amplifier marked L-. Insert the other end of the speaker wire lead connected to the left speaker's black terminal. Release the tab to hold the wire.

References

• "Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems (2010 Edition)"; Mark Fleischmann; 2009