help with speakers,

[DCMagnuson at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/26/00 9:31:12 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
ElmacacoX at aol.com writes:

> I got a pair of car audio speakers from the salvation army for $5,  and I 
>  want to put them to good use.  they are about 8 inches in diameter,  but 
it'
> s 
>  just the cones and the cage,  no amp,  no instructions,  just the lugs for 
>  two wires.  so how do I get these things running?  Can I test them off a 
>  stereo with rca cables going to bare wires?  or do they need a separate 
>  amplifier?  and how do I find out how many watts the amp should be?
>  since I don't know if they work, I'd like to do it on the cheap,  at least 
>  just to test them.

Simply connect the speaker outputs of your stereo to the speakers.  To get 
the best sound, make sure you observe the polarity marked on the speaker.  
You won't damage the speakers if they're backwards, but they won't sound 
right (especially if only one is reversed and the other is connected 
correctly)

If the speaker polarity isn't marked, you may test it with a small (C or D 
cell) battery.  *QUICKLY* apply the battery to the terminals.  If the cone 
pushes outwards, then the + terminal of the battery is correctly hooked to 
the + terminal of the speaker.  If the cone pulls inwards, you have the 
polarity reversed.  DO NOT leave the battery connected for more than an 
instant.  You can cook the coils inside.

I've had good luck with my local surplus store... I bought 3 pairs of fairly 
high-end MB Quart speakers for $21.  Not bad for speakers that usually cost 
$50+ each ;)

While testing my speakers, I thought they sounded rather poor at first.  They 
were in the open air with no cabinet.  I found that by simulating the front 
baffle board, they sound much better.  I do this by taking a piece of 
cardboard and cutting a hole in it and placing it over the speaker.  The 
differnce in sound was incredible.  

Dave Magnuson

(As I type this, I'm wondering how the Swedish members of the list like the 
American b at stardization of our family name Magnusson... A special "gift" from 
the US Immigration and Naturalization department,  I suppose)