Complete Newbie Setup Question (4 speakers)..

[Adam]

I believe that you do indeed need to switch those jumpers so that they match the picture, just like you said.

 

[MeanWeen]

10-4

awesome. Trying now.

 

[MeanWeen]

Success!

That was it.
Wow man....I really appreciate your help. You've made our house very happy.
In fact, this probably the happiest I've been since this photo:

(I'm also pumped that I learned how to post pictures)

At the risk of nagging, can you give me a quick tutorial on what I just did, or what exactly amps/receivers do? Or point me the direction of something I could read? If not.....NO WORRIES!!!

Good people. Thanks to everyone else too!

 

[Adam]

Excellent!

Woohoo!!! Always happy to help when I can. I'm very glad that it was such an easy fix (and wasn't something broken in the receiver).

There are some good articles on receivers and amps. I'll have to track them down, but I think that there are some on the main Audioholics site under either the "AV University" menu or the "Tips & Tricks" menu. You can also do a Google search and find some good stuff (I think).

As for what you did, that's not necessary on any receiver that I've owned (or most that I've seen/researched). Some receivers, perhaps only older ones, have those jumpers. I can't say why, but they do. The receivers that I've owned can output a pre-amp signal and power speakers at the same time. Your receiver can't do that. You need to (as strange as it sounds) send the audio signal for the main speakers out the pre-amp outputs and then feed them back into the main inputs using those jumpers. Odd, I know. I've seen a member named "TLS Guy" discuss those connections before, but I don't recall any details.

 

[MeanWeen]

I'll check those out.

Thanks again Adam.
Because of you, I now move forward with a renewed appreciation for humanity...and a kick a*s stereo-system! (to me ).

 

[Adam]

Some more details on amps/receivers.

Let's talk about analog signals to start (the ones that are transmitted over the red/white RCA jacks) because your speakers take an analog signal.

Components like CD players and DVD players generate a very low level electrical signal that contains the audio information. That electrical signal isn't powerful enough to generate audible sound from your speakers, so it needs to be amplified.

In comes the amplifier. An amp simply takes the weak electrical signal and increases the power so that there's enough power to cause the cones in your speakers to move enough for you to hear them. How much the signal is amplified is controlled by a volume (or "gain") control. So, when you turn the volume knob, you are controlling how much amplification is being applied to the original signal.

A pre-amplifier allows you to connect multiple signals to an amplifier, such as connecting a CD player, a DVD player, a radio tuner, and a TV. A pre-amplifier will let you select which source you want to listen to. These days, pre-amplifiers also often contain digital-to-analog converters to allow you to connect digital audio signals (like an optical cable or HDMI), and it will then convert that digital signal to an analog one that can then be amplified.

A receiver is typically a single box that contains a pre-amplifier, one or more amplifiers (for multiple sets of speakers), and a radio tuner.

 

[MeanWeen]

Learning is fun...

...awesome info.

I was gonna drop it before, but if I had asked you one specific question before it would have been the difference btwn an amp, receiver, etc.

Real quick: any experience with exterior speakers? They say "weather resistant" but I imagine I needn't worry about them getting rained on etc..should I? Afterall, they are advertised as "Exterior Speakers"!

Much appreciated Adam.
Enjoy your night,...but anytime you feel like dropping little bits of knowledge like this....feel free to use this thread! I like to learn and I probably know more about every other aspect of home-maintence/construction than I do about home audio.

Cheers!

 

[Adam]

Thanks, and enjoy your night, too!

I don't have any experience with exterior speakers, but a number of members here do. Hopefully one of them will see this thread and chime in. You can also search the forum for that.

I'm with you - I would assume that precipitation wouldn't be a problem. The speaker manuals (or dealers) should have specific information about that, though.

 

[deedubb]

...awesome info.

I was gonna drop it before, but if I had asked you one specific question before it would have been the difference btwn an amp, receiver, etc.

Real quick: any experience with exterior speakers? They say "weather resistant" but I imagine I needn't worry about them getting rained on etc..should I? Afterall, they are advertised as "Exterior Speakers"!

Much appreciated Adam.
Enjoy your night,...but anytime you feel like dropping little bits of knowledge like this....feel free to use this thread! I like to learn and I probably know more about every other aspect of home-maintence/construction than I do about home audio.

Cheers!

Glad you got your problem solved. Props to Adam...probably one of the most helpful members on this forum.

As for exterior speakers, they term them weather resistant because technically, they are not water proof. I have a pair of Mirage ones, 10 years old now. The first 2 years or so, I brought them in during the winter but since then, they've sat outside year round...through humidity, rain, wind, snow. They still work like a champ.

 

[MeanWeen]

Glad to hear that...

...and thank you again for your help.

I worked outside in the backyard today, extremely happy to be listening to good music. All the while my mother in law was inside watching TV.

Technology can be pretty cool.