I have a couple of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers that I'm trying to use with a new Onkyo TX-SR504 receiver. When I try to play a DVD or a CD after a while the speakers cut out.

Onkyo tech support said either my speaker wire or my speakers have a short. After trying new speaker wire, and connecting the speakers individually, the sound still cuts off after anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. So, I guess the speakers have shorted...

I'm not very savvy with...

A: Perhaps someone can correct me if I am wrong but although it is common to experience a short circuit in speaker wire it is not very common to have a short circuit in the speakers themselves. A short circuit occurs in an audio system when positive and negative charges meet, interrupting the way the current was supposed to flow and causing an undesirably high current flow from the amplifier. This usually happens when the positive and negative wires touch at either speaker or amplifier...

the speaker looks like it can take the bare copper cable or the banana plug .. i want to know the kind of cable or adapter i need to buy...any picture illustration appreciated.

link for speaker: http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Two-way-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B00006I5O4/sr=8-1/qid=1162520640/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0186384-6979909?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

A: You should try a stereo mini-plug 'Y' with RCA male ends, red and black usually. From these you can get extension RCA cables. Unless the speakers are self powered, you will need a small stereo power amp. They will have female jacks, plug in the 'Y's, and connect your speakers to the amp. Or, you can cut off the RCA jacks, strip the wires, attach directly to the speaker leads if they are powered.
All of the above parts can be found at your local radio shack. Banana plugs...

I have 2 old Polk Audio bookshelf speakers and I want to get a center channel speaker for them.

Should I be buying Polk again?

A: Yes, you should.