So now that I probably have your attention, yes, I tried to hook up a large receiver to my crappy computer speakers. I bought the receiver used and unheard (ancient Denon AVR-1500 and a Denon 5 disc changer for $75, seemed perfect for my budget build) and wanted to test them out in the dorm before I went home and lugged larger speakers back.
So I plugged my laptop into the AUX in jack, spliced my computer speaker wires, and plugged them into the center-speaker jacks. Keep in mind I don't care about the speakers being blown. Anyways, no sound at all, at any volume. Was this a futile exercise or would you guess my receiver is broken? The speakers don't have an impedance printed on them, but the channel for the receiver is 6-16 ohms.
Also, when I spliced my computer speaker cables, I had two lines, which I expected (for stereo I assume), but there was another wire wrapped in each wire, one red, and one white. Upon touching them I could only get static when I touched the red and white inner wires, not the outer wires.
I appreciate any input.