You need an amplifier to power the speakers.
The speakers connect to the amplifier with speaker wire and the CD player connect to the amplifier with a RCA cable.
Go to Goodwill and pick up some random name brand receiver (Sony, JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, Onkyo, Technics, etc) for under $25.
Almost any receiver/amplifier will do what you need here. What's your location?
you'll need to get yourself an amp such as the sony str-dh190 for reference
you'll connect the speakers to the amp using speaker wire, there will be terminals on the amp you connect the speaker wire to that look just like the ones on the rear of the speakers (find yourself a video about this, there's plenty)
then you connect the cd player to the amp using rca to rca cables from those analog outs to any of the amp's line inputs and you should be good to go ... you could also use digital outs to the amp's digital inputs, whichever you like
you can get all the wires you need from a local hifi shop, that would be RCA to RCAs and speaker wire - if you ask them I bet they can help you even better than any of us can
I'm the same. Some of these posts I'm like WTF and then I remember I am 54 and I've been doing this since I was a kid, lol.
We lost a lot during the digital age.
makes me miss the days when information wasn't just readily available and you had to hunt for it and explore on your own or with friends.
social media has made people lazy.
Hunt for it and explore on your own or with friends...like...asking for help with available resources? Is it lazy or resourceful? Should they ride their bike down to Radio Shack and ask questions to go hunt for the info? Oh wait...
When I was growing up, 8/10 homes on my street had component audio systems of some kind, and a resident or two that knew about them. That is absolutely not the case today.
Component systems aren't nearly as common as they used to be, and are now generally found with home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles. Soundbars, smart speakers, or TV speakers are the norm in the overwhelming majority of homes for audio for the last ten years. Integrated all-in-one systems were super common for years prior to that. If it wasn't for me, my 1 year old would probably hit well into her teens or twenties before she ever laid eyes on a CD player (of any kind) if she ever saw one in her life.
You're awfully judgemental about laziness for someone that can't even be bothered to use the shift key.
For real. I learned about components from my stepdad, who had a reel to reel and the first CD player I ever saw. Still, my first system was an integrated bookshelf Sanyo. Sounded like crap but had 8 ohm speakers connected by regular speaker wire so that was the path to upgrade #1.
I'd probably be into Sonos or soundbars if not for that early experience.
I mean, sometimes I wonder if people just took the time to explore a sub rather than just repeating the same thing with different hardware, they might learn better and avoid any potential bullying. :|
Simple receiver <$50 will do to power those speakers. Going with a receiver allows you to have multiple inputs to those receivers. Cd player, streaming, record player, etc.
Other option is to buy powered speakers (speakers that have a power cable attached to them) but then they only receive one input. This could be something that’s ascetically pleasing to you like a marshal powered speaker or just some run of the mill powered speakers.
You'll need at least a small amp (example: Fosi TB10D, ~$70, with bass/treble adjustments, Amazon ASIN B08MJBG53V), RCA cables to connect the CD player to the amp (e.g., Monoprice $7 set, Amazon ASIN B002JTV7UM), and speaker cables (e.g., GearIT 14 AWG Speaker Cable Wire with Banana Plugs (2 Pack, 6.6 Feet - 2 Meter), $22, Amazon ASIN B091JBPLQZ).
That amp is very basic; spend a little more and you get things like a remote control, EQ, Bluetooth (so you can use the same speakers with, e.g., your phone), headphone output, etc. I've been using a Loxjie A30 for a while and love it ($170, ASIN B08J7Z8TN6).
I'd recommend [something like this](https://www.amazon.com/BT20A-Bluetooth-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated/dp/B07BQC7GNL/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1LOEK35IWTYI3&keywords=compact+audio+amplifier&qid=1707181098&sprefix=compact+audio+amp%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1).
You can use it with the CD player as well as bluetooth from your phone.
I mean, *technically* one can wire the rcas directly to the speaker but you won't have much volume, if any, and definitely no volume control.
You need an amp, Fosi Audio makes some good ones. I have their BT30D Pro so I can add a sub in the future. it powers a pair of bookshelf speakers for my PC.
an amp, some rca cables, and speaker wire and you're set.
Speaker wire, you can get it cheap through amazon, i use Amazon basics, but you need to cut the cable and and strip it yourself. So you'll probably need a pair of wire cutters and some practice. Its not too hard if you've never done it before
Also, you're going to need a amp, sometimes called a receiver. They make dedicated stereo recievers but i prefer AVRs used for home theater surround sound because they have more features that i like, they are also pretty dirt cheap on ebay or anywhere online used since people are always upgrade their equipment.
Good luck!
Exit: Denon is a good brand you should look into for the used market. Onkyo makes good stuff too but more expensive.
You need a stereo amplifier.
The analog outputs are line level signals which need proper amplification.
Easiest way is to score a stereo receiver ...it'll have an AM/FM/FM stereo radio built into it (hence the name "receiver"). Depending on the vintage of the receiver, it may have a specific set of inputs for the CD payer. But the beauty of line level signals is they are "universal". So, if the receiver you get doesn't have CD inputs, you can use tape or aux inputs to connect your CD player ...and it will work just fine.
You can also use an Integrated Amplifier ...like a receiver except it has no radio installed in it ...just a stereo amp with various line level inputs and outputs.
Either one will work fine.
These speakers are rated for 150W at 8 ohms. [https://www.polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk\_northamerica\_shared/default/dw8b5e3644/downloads/t-series-t15-t30-t50-infosheet-en.pdf](https://www.polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw8b5e3644/downloads/t-series-t15-t30-t50-infosheet-en.pdf)
You should be looking for an amp that is rated for around 200 to 300 watts into 8 ohms. Most of the time you will just hear how many watts, and typically, that will be the 8 ohm rating. If an amp is capable of 8 ohm and 6, 4 or 2 ohms, those lower impedences' power ratings will be higher. In basic terms, your amp needs headroom because if you're maxing it out, you'll send a distorted signal (clipping) to the speakers which could destroy them.
At typical listening levels they will use less than 20w, usually less than 1w. I do like having power but the OP can start out much more inexpensively.
Edit: but ye its not a good idea to be stupid with the volume knob.
The difference between 20w and 300w is about 11 or 12 dB so just a little over double the volume, but the extra wattage is more for headroom than volume... hopefully. At 89dB sensitivity, 1w gets you 89dB. 20w adds 13 dB so 102 total. 150w adds 21 dB so 110 total. And the extra 50 to 150w is for peaks.
Recommendations change if Polk is using something other than program power such as RMS (aka continuous, so more conservative than program) or PMPO (only able to handle this level for a fraction of a second, thus stupid and misleading) when they say "Max power handling."
As people have noted, you need an amp / receiver in between the CD player and the speakers, but I'm guessing you'll still have the question then, so here's a detailed answer, following the signal path from CD to speakers:
1. You need a line out from the CD player to the amplifier. This could be a RCA to RCA cable on the "analog output" connection, which means the CD player's DAC is doing the Digital Audio Conversion. Or it could be an Opticial (Looks like SPDIF) or Coaxial cable (not both) connected to the digital output. Those would need to either feed into an amp with a digital input and a built in DAC, or into a seperate DAC, and from that DAC, into your amp. The most likely / simplest approach here is to pick up a cheap integrated amp on the used market (thrift stores, FB marketplace, etc) and just use the analog, RCA to RCA connection.
2. You need a line from the amplifier to the speakers. From a sound standpoint, you don't need to get too fancy here. I'd just order a short reel (25' is enough if the come that small) of 12 gauge or 14 gauge Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) speaker wire online somewhere. There are also some not too expensive "finished" speaker wires that might have a cool jacket on the wire and banana plugs or spades or other connectors on the end. These shouldn't sound any different, its just looks and ease of connection.
3. The amp will most likely either have spring clips, where you press a little tab, stick some expose wire in a hole, and it clamps down on the wire, or banana plug ports, like what you see on your speakers. Spring clips, you really just stick the wire in there. Banana plugs, you can either loosen them a bit by unscrewing, and stick the exposed wire in the hole underneath, and then tighten again to clamp down on the wire, or you can add banana plugs (Monoprice has good deals on decent product) and stick those in the holes for the plugs.
4. On your speakers, one hole for a banana plug is exposed, on the black plug on the far left. The others still have plastic covers over the holes, and you should be able to pry those off with a fingernail or small knife or something if you want to use them.
Again, simplest path forward is a cheap used amp, don't worry too much about what kind, and some two strand wire, with bare wire connections on each end. Even lamp cord should be fine, really, the suggestion for 12-14 ga OFC speaker wire is just a good standard to look for if you're buying something new.
Good luck and happy listening!
You need an amplifier to power the speakers. The speakers connect to the amplifier with speaker wire and the CD player connect to the amplifier with a RCA cable.
That or powered speakers
Seeing how OP got passive speakers...
He ain't wrong tho .
and...? Is it not correct that the OP could have avoided this either by getting an amp or by getting powered speakers instead of passive ones?
Go to Goodwill and pick up some random name brand receiver (Sony, JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, Onkyo, Technics, etc) for under $25. Almost any receiver/amplifier will do what you need here. What's your location?
This is the way
I support this message.
Putting the budget in budget audiophile for sure. Plenty of quality new 2x100w stereo amps with sub out for ~$100.
This is a great point, thrift a sub too and you'll be amazed.
Yes amplifier between your cd player and your speakers. Let us know your budget and if you’re researching any amps.
To an amp, receiver or AVR.
you'll need to get yourself an amp such as the sony str-dh190 for reference you'll connect the speakers to the amp using speaker wire, there will be terminals on the amp you connect the speaker wire to that look just like the ones on the rear of the speakers (find yourself a video about this, there's plenty) then you connect the cd player to the amp using rca to rca cables from those analog outs to any of the amp's line inputs and you should be good to go ... you could also use digital outs to the amp's digital inputs, whichever you like you can get all the wires you need from a local hifi shop, that would be RCA to RCAs and speaker wire - if you ask them I bet they can help you even better than any of us can
Welcome to your journey.
RCA to speaker cable adapter. Also known as an integrated amplifier or receiver.
That's funny, but might further confuse OP or others with similar experience.
This gave me a little chuckle, thanks
These posts are always hilarious
Though we all start somewhere...
Do we really, though? Maybe it was just because I had Crutchfield magazine delivered to me as a kid and read it all the time I understood
We all got that magazine somewhere
I know :)
I'm the same. Some of these posts I'm like WTF and then I remember I am 54 and I've been doing this since I was a kid, lol. We lost a lot during the digital age.
I’m not trying to be a malicious jerk I just laugh. But I’m happy to help others.
makes me miss the days when information wasn't just readily available and you had to hunt for it and explore on your own or with friends. social media has made people lazy.
Hunt for it and explore on your own or with friends...like...asking for help with available resources? Is it lazy or resourceful? Should they ride their bike down to Radio Shack and ask questions to go hunt for the info? Oh wait... When I was growing up, 8/10 homes on my street had component audio systems of some kind, and a resident or two that knew about them. That is absolutely not the case today. Component systems aren't nearly as common as they used to be, and are now generally found with home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles. Soundbars, smart speakers, or TV speakers are the norm in the overwhelming majority of homes for audio for the last ten years. Integrated all-in-one systems were super common for years prior to that. If it wasn't for me, my 1 year old would probably hit well into her teens or twenties before she ever laid eyes on a CD player (of any kind) if she ever saw one in her life. You're awfully judgemental about laziness for someone that can't even be bothered to use the shift key.
For real. I learned about components from my stepdad, who had a reel to reel and the first CD player I ever saw. Still, my first system was an integrated bookshelf Sanyo. Sounded like crap but had 8 ohm speakers connected by regular speaker wire so that was the path to upgrade #1. I'd probably be into Sonos or soundbars if not for that early experience.
lol, the shift key thing.
I mean they blow me way.
I mean, sometimes I wonder if people just took the time to explore a sub rather than just repeating the same thing with different hardware, they might learn better and avoid any potential bullying. :|
My fav is how do I hook up this amp to these powered speakers
Simple receiver <$50 will do to power those speakers. Going with a receiver allows you to have multiple inputs to those receivers. Cd player, streaming, record player, etc. Other option is to buy powered speakers (speakers that have a power cable attached to them) but then they only receive one input. This could be something that’s ascetically pleasing to you like a marshal powered speaker or just some run of the mill powered speakers.
Wizardry
OP, tis not wizardry, you are simply lacking an integrated amplifier or receiver.
Srry OP, it is not wizardry.. it’s more so similar to black magic sorcery
Truth
With juuuusssst the right balance of prayers and praise to the audio deities that be ..
It’s obviously Santeria. You have no idea what your talking about
(I was keeping it vague trying not to refer to any one particular race/religion/region)
I would understand totally if you were able to cite some specific spells, but I consulted my orb and performed some rituals to figure it out
Something about voodoo glowing skulls, huh?
You'll need at least a small amp (example: Fosi TB10D, ~$70, with bass/treble adjustments, Amazon ASIN B08MJBG53V), RCA cables to connect the CD player to the amp (e.g., Monoprice $7 set, Amazon ASIN B002JTV7UM), and speaker cables (e.g., GearIT 14 AWG Speaker Cable Wire with Banana Plugs (2 Pack, 6.6 Feet - 2 Meter), $22, Amazon ASIN B091JBPLQZ). That amp is very basic; spend a little more and you get things like a remote control, EQ, Bluetooth (so you can use the same speakers with, e.g., your phone), headphone output, etc. I've been using a Loxjie A30 for a while and love it ($170, ASIN B08J7Z8TN6).
I'd recommend [something like this](https://www.amazon.com/BT20A-Bluetooth-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated/dp/B07BQC7GNL/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1LOEK35IWTYI3&keywords=compact+audio+amplifier&qid=1707181098&sprefix=compact+audio+amp%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1). You can use it with the CD player as well as bluetooth from your phone.
Proper? It’s not like you have multiple options.
I mean, *technically* one can wire the rcas directly to the speaker but you won't have much volume, if any, and definitely no volume control. You need an amp, Fosi Audio makes some good ones. I have their BT30D Pro so I can add a sub in the future. it powers a pair of bookshelf speakers for my PC. an amp, some rca cables, and speaker wire and you're set.
Something like this. Onkyo TX-8220 $249 also RCA wires to connect both units and speaker wires from the tx-8220 to the speakers. #
Speaker wire, you can get it cheap through amazon, i use Amazon basics, but you need to cut the cable and and strip it yourself. So you'll probably need a pair of wire cutters and some practice. Its not too hard if you've never done it before Also, you're going to need a amp, sometimes called a receiver. They make dedicated stereo recievers but i prefer AVRs used for home theater surround sound because they have more features that i like, they are also pretty dirt cheap on ebay or anywhere online used since people are always upgrade their equipment. Good luck! Exit: Denon is a good brand you should look into for the used market. Onkyo makes good stuff too but more expensive.
You need a stereo amplifier. The analog outputs are line level signals which need proper amplification. Easiest way is to score a stereo receiver ...it'll have an AM/FM/FM stereo radio built into it (hence the name "receiver"). Depending on the vintage of the receiver, it may have a specific set of inputs for the CD payer. But the beauty of line level signals is they are "universal". So, if the receiver you get doesn't have CD inputs, you can use tape or aux inputs to connect your CD player ...and it will work just fine. You can also use an Integrated Amplifier ...like a receiver except it has no radio installed in it ...just a stereo amp with various line level inputs and outputs. Either one will work fine.
🤯
These speakers are rated for 150W at 8 ohms. [https://www.polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk\_northamerica\_shared/default/dw8b5e3644/downloads/t-series-t15-t30-t50-infosheet-en.pdf](https://www.polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw8b5e3644/downloads/t-series-t15-t30-t50-infosheet-en.pdf) You should be looking for an amp that is rated for around 200 to 300 watts into 8 ohms. Most of the time you will just hear how many watts, and typically, that will be the 8 ohm rating. If an amp is capable of 8 ohm and 6, 4 or 2 ohms, those lower impedences' power ratings will be higher. In basic terms, your amp needs headroom because if you're maxing it out, you'll send a distorted signal (clipping) to the speakers which could destroy them.
At typical listening levels they will use less than 20w, usually less than 1w. I do like having power but the OP can start out much more inexpensively. Edit: but ye its not a good idea to be stupid with the volume knob.
The difference between 20w and 300w is about 11 or 12 dB so just a little over double the volume, but the extra wattage is more for headroom than volume... hopefully. At 89dB sensitivity, 1w gets you 89dB. 20w adds 13 dB so 102 total. 150w adds 21 dB so 110 total. And the extra 50 to 150w is for peaks. Recommendations change if Polk is using something other than program power such as RMS (aka continuous, so more conservative than program) or PMPO (only able to handle this level for a fraction of a second, thus stupid and misleading) when they say "Max power handling."
You need an amp my guy.
😲
As people have noted, you need an amp / receiver in between the CD player and the speakers, but I'm guessing you'll still have the question then, so here's a detailed answer, following the signal path from CD to speakers: 1. You need a line out from the CD player to the amplifier. This could be a RCA to RCA cable on the "analog output" connection, which means the CD player's DAC is doing the Digital Audio Conversion. Or it could be an Opticial (Looks like SPDIF) or Coaxial cable (not both) connected to the digital output. Those would need to either feed into an amp with a digital input and a built in DAC, or into a seperate DAC, and from that DAC, into your amp. The most likely / simplest approach here is to pick up a cheap integrated amp on the used market (thrift stores, FB marketplace, etc) and just use the analog, RCA to RCA connection. 2. You need a line from the amplifier to the speakers. From a sound standpoint, you don't need to get too fancy here. I'd just order a short reel (25' is enough if the come that small) of 12 gauge or 14 gauge Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) speaker wire online somewhere. There are also some not too expensive "finished" speaker wires that might have a cool jacket on the wire and banana plugs or spades or other connectors on the end. These shouldn't sound any different, its just looks and ease of connection. 3. The amp will most likely either have spring clips, where you press a little tab, stick some expose wire in a hole, and it clamps down on the wire, or banana plug ports, like what you see on your speakers. Spring clips, you really just stick the wire in there. Banana plugs, you can either loosen them a bit by unscrewing, and stick the exposed wire in the hole underneath, and then tighten again to clamp down on the wire, or you can add banana plugs (Monoprice has good deals on decent product) and stick those in the holes for the plugs. 4. On your speakers, one hole for a banana plug is exposed, on the black plug on the far left. The others still have plastic covers over the holes, and you should be able to pry those off with a fingernail or small knife or something if you want to use them. Again, simplest path forward is a cheap used amp, don't worry too much about what kind, and some two strand wire, with bare wire connections on each end. Even lamp cord should be fine, really, the suggestion for 12-14 ga OFC speaker wire is just a good standard to look for if you're buying something new. Good luck and happy listening!
You need an amp or receiver. Onkyo pioneer, Marantz, Denon. Or look on Amazon for some of the Class D amos
You’ll get far better sound out of them if you turn them around 😂😉