New and Just Moved

[Lysdexic]

Hello all.

I have moved into a place that I am renting and it has speakers in the walls and the wiring was laid out on the floor. I'd like to utilize these speakers and my landlord does not know anything about it. There are two speakers in the living room and two in the bedroom. Each set of light switches have three switches, one for lights, one for fan, and I'm guessing the last one is for the speakers since I have yet to see them do anything. I'm a little confused on the wiring and what possible equipment I may need to get this to work. Below, you'll see an image of the wiring and the corresponding labels. I hope somebody can help me make sense of wiring everything. I believe I know which set of wires go to which speaker, but there is an extra set that is boggling me. I'm guessing I may need some equipment because basic wire-to-wire connection from music source is not doing anything. Anyways here is the picture: (Edit: I cannot post pictures nor links yet, so here is a URL to the image hosted on imgur.com)

imgur.com/3ZarB2W.jpg

Thank you in advance to all that reply.

Have a good day

 

[j_garcia]

You need an amplified signal for the speaker wires to do anything. Source to speaker wire is not sufficient. An A/V Receiver or stereo receiver internal amplification that are able to drive the speakers is the first step. Sources usually do not have speaker level outputs, so I'm not sure how you're attempting to connect them.

 

[Lysdexic]

Yeah I figured I needed some equipment. I literally was just twisting the wires together like I did on my computer speakers to repair them one time, but this seems a lil' bit more than that. What would be the cheapest way to go with getting this up and running?

 

[j_garcia]

Depends on how "cheap" cheap is. I'd probably grab a Denon since they are discontinuing the current ones for replacements, so now is the best time to buy the old model:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-E200-Receiver-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00B7X2OW6/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1413577580&sr=8-12&keywords=denon+receiver

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-E300-Channel-Networking-Receiver/dp/B00B7X2OV2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413577444&sr=8-1&keywords=denon+receiver

and if cheaper than that, I might look at the refurbs on Accessories4less: High End Audio at Low End Prices!

 

[Rickster71]

Hello all.

......Each set of light switches have three switches, one for lights, one for fan, and I'm guessing the last one is for the speakers since I have yet to see them do anything......

Unless that switch is a volume control, chances are it goes to a switched outlet. That's a duplex receptacle that's split and will have one of its outlets controled by a switch, while the other remains hot.

To find what wire goes to what speaker, touch a "D" size battery to each wire and have a helper listen to see what speaker cone moves. Then label the wires accordingly. (you may be able to use a 9-V battery.
Good lucl.

 

[j_garcia]

I use a AA battery, works just fine and more common Had to use that last night because I never label my surrounds so I always have to figure out which side is which.

 

[Lysdexic]

There is a twist knob next to the lights in the bedroom. There's no base heating in the house and the fan speed is controlled by the pull string. My guess is that could control volume, but i'm not 100% on that.

 

[Ponzio]

test for voltage on the wires first to make sure u don't get zapped and that they're not connected to some low voltage transformers (doorbells, etc.) and then trace the wire pairs with a tone generator on one end and detect on the other end with a wand (probe). I'm an old telephone tech and these were the tools of the trade to trace cables back to their point of termination/origin. while these aren't pro grade tools for commercial work, they are more than adequate for residential troubleshooting.
Tone Generator w/ Probe Kit - Monoprice.com