Question 1

Do I need to connect these to a receiver? (I don't own one.) Can I connect them directly to my laptop computer via 1/8" plug?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately you will need a receiver, speaker wire, and a 1/8-inch to RCA cable to work these speakers. I run them through a lepai-2020A + amp, and though it is underpowered for these speakers, they sound great and fill a medium size room quite nicely.

Question 2

Same novice from earlier: I take it I cannot direct connect to my HDTV's audio outs, L and R? Correct path is TV to Amp to Speakers?

Accepted Answer

You are correct. The correct path is TV to amp to speakers.

If you want to go from the HDTV's audio output to speakers, you'll need to get a pair of active (also called powered) speakers that have an amp built into the speakers. There are computer speakers and studio monitor speakers that have an amp built into the speakers.

By the way, at $99.99, these are GREAT speakers! I bought a pair from Newegg a few months ago.

Question 3

Are these speakers wired or wireless?

Accepted Answer

The Pioneer SP-BS41-LR 2 CH Bookshelf Loudspeakers are NOT wireless -- you will need speaker wires.  BTW I am very impressed with the little speakers.  I bought them for a small office because 1) good reviews and specs and 2) they had a shape similar to Krell Resolution 1s and 2s (I own a set of each) and love them.  The little Pioneer speakers are great (Not Krells but not ~$9K either).

Question 4

Are these speakers magnetically shielded? I have found websites that say both "yes" and "no."

Accepted Answer

No.

From the owner's manual:

"If the speaker system is installed too close to the screen of a television set, color distortion may occur. If this happens, turn off the power switch of the television set, and turn it on after 15 to 30 minutes. If the problem persists, place the speaker system away from the television set."

Question 5

How do they connect to sound source? Why 6 9?) ohms?

Accepted Answer

They connect via 5-way binding posts located on the rear surface - same as most high-end speakers. This allows you to use spades, bare wire, rings or bananas.
6-9 ohms should be great for virtually any amplifier. Ohm ratings need not be a concern unless the nominal rating begins to approach zero, i.e., less than 2 Ohms. In other words, the higher the ohm rating the more stable the amplifier load and less chance of damaging an amp.

BTW - these are really nice speakers - great for bedrooms coupled to a restored/recapped vintage Marantz receiver.

Question 6

is the speaker easily mounted to wall? or modification of the real portion is needed. thanks

Accepted Answer

not easy to mount based on the look of the back (no hooks or anything to help you hook into the wall) , the port hole would be in the way.. you would need to put on shelf that was built into the wall to make this work.. ..

Question 7

Will these work with Yamaha AS300 amplifier?  The RMS output for the amp is 120 W.  The max RMS for these speakers it 130W.

Accepted Answer

You'll have to check the speaker impedance to be sure. In terms of power you should be ok, but from a quick search I found that this receiver supports either 4 or 8 ohm speakers, where these are 6. But like I said, do some more research into it whether they have to match exactly. Excellent speakers btw.

Question 8

I have 8 ohm front and center channel speakers. I want to use these 6 ohm speakers as rear channel speakers. The manual for my Yamaha HTR-5940 says "CAUTION  If you are to use 4 or 6 ohm speakers, set 'SP IMP.' to '6ohmMIN' as follows BEFORE using this unit." However, it appears that there's only one setting, not separate settings for separate speakers. Can I mix 8 ohm and 6 ohm speakers with this amplifier?

Accepted Answer

Since you are using them in a rear surround and they will not receive power demands like the main fronts do, I think you will have no problem powering these speakers. Also they are an easy load for any amp. 
     Joe

Question 9

what are to measurements?

Accepted Answer

power input 120 or 240V

Questions & Answers