Need help - how do i connect bookshelves to my desktop computer, etc.

These are bi-amped speakers.  You will need an amp that can drive two separate speakers.  The labels will usually look like "HF or Tweeter" and "LF or Woofer".  This amplifier should also have an aux input so you can run your iPod off of it as well as any other equipment such as a CD player or phono.

Otherwise you can leave the bridge brackets on each speaker and drive them just like normal speakers.

I do not see any outputs on your amp besides the two headphones jacks in the front.

Here is a helpful video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWGTnpj0Ixo

Also from http://www.arcam.co.uk/advice-and-support/technical-articles/bi-amping.htm

"

How should I connect my system for Bi-Amping?

1. Firstly, remove the linking bars from the back of your speakers. Normally these will consist of two metal bars or wires, one between the two positive terminals and another between the two negative ones.
2. Next take an analog interconnect cable and connect the "pre-amp outputs" of a source to the "power amp inputs" of the power amplifier taking care to keep the left and right polarity correct.
3. Now take one set of conventional speaker cables (two plugs on each end) and connect the speaker’s terminals of the Integrated amp to the "HF" or "Treble" terminals or your speakers (one each, left and right).
4. Now repeat step 3, connecting the Power amplifiers speaker terminals to the "LF" or "Bass" terminals of each speaker.
5. Finally, switch on the system and enjoy your music!

"

I dont think he wants to bi-amp, just to amp. Buy a cheap stereo receiver and depending on what type of outputs your soundcard has you can hook up the receiver to it with the 3.5mm output jack or say a digital out like I have.

here is some stuff you could check out for reference.....

http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX-4105-Stereo-Receiver-Black/dp/B0002EPWC0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315370467&sr=8-1

If you only have that green 3.5mm output on the soundcard get one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Male-3-5mm-Stereo-Female-Y-Cable/dp/B000I23TTE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315370569&sr=1-1

and to use Ipod or any AUX since not all receivers have them get one of these http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315370636&sr=1-1

and plug it into the other inputs in the receiver 

+1 cheap beefy stereo amp/receiver or if space an issue T-amps works extremely well for near field listening/PC Audio too 

TA2020 based or

TK2050 if u need more beef 

I have my mac mini hooked to my receiver the cheapest way possible, with one of these(if my receiver had an optical in, Id use an optical 3.5 to toslink)

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315550698&sr=8-1

I then have my ipod hooked to my mac with something slightly nicer but still cheap, one of these(i didnt pay $40 for it, i paid something like $15)

http://www.amazon.com/Nyko-Stereo-Link-for-iPod/dp/B0007LI13U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315550688&sr=8-2

Then your all set, it would be ideal if your PC had a line out from the MoBo, but you can get by with just the headphone jack. My receiver was pulled out a dumpster a few years ago, its a pile,its mated to a pair of these

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-RB-51-channel-speakers/dp/B000NGYLVA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315550973&sr=8-2

Sound is good, could be better, but for what I paid for the receiver $0.00 I cant ask for much.

Oh snaps I have RB61ii... 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by randerson07 

I have my mac mini hooked to my receiver the cheapest way possible, with one of these(if my receiver had an optical in, Id use an optical 3.5 to toslink)

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315550698&sr=8-1

 

I then have my ipod hooked to my mac with something slightly nicer but still cheap, one of these(i didnt pay $40 for it, i paid something like $15)

http://www.amazon.com/Nyko-Stereo-Link-for-iPod/dp/B0007LI13U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315550688&sr=8-2

 

Then your all set, it would be ideal if your PC had a line out from the MoBo, but you can get by with just the headphone jack. My receiver was pulled out a dumpster a few years ago, its a pile,its mated to a pair of these

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-RB-51-channel-speakers/dp/B000NGYLVA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315550973&sr=8-2

Sound is good, could be better, but for what I paid for the receiver $0.00 I cant ask for much.

 

 

To OP my bad my second link is no good for your application. If you want to go cheap just buy 2 of my 3rd link and use one going from the 3.5mm jack on the computer to one of the RCA inputs on the receiver, then use the other from your ipod to one of the other RCA inputs on the receiver.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by will75 

First of, thanks to all of you for the great help!  I've been away from this place for a while but nothing has changed :)

 

I like the idea of getting a cheap stereo receiver so it can handle letting my use these nicer speakers with both my pc and my ipod.  Is that correct? Is it basically serving as a way to get them all to communicate? 

 

Please note, I no longer have an amp at all (just edited my sig). 

 

So, if I get a stereo receiver I will plug that into my computer via the 2nd link in the post I copied here?  Then I power on the receiver and I can play itunes on my computer and the receiver will send the audio to the speakers?  I have no soundcard but there is a green 3.5mm out on the back of the computer so I'm assuming it comes straight from the motherboard.  How do I connect the thing you sent in the link since the 3.5mm part is female and so is the one on the computer?

 

Thanks!
 

 

Err this may be stating the obvious but since it was yet to be mentioned go get some speaker wires to hook up those speakers to any amp you eventually nab 

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=109-040

What is this "speaker wire" you speak of?

Quote:

Originally Posted by trog 

Err this may be stating the obvious but since it was yet to be mentioned go get some speaker wires to hook up those speakers to any amp you eventually nab 

 

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=109-040

To connect the speakers to the amp, also some info on why you shouldn't bi-wire http://www.achievum.eu/bi-wiring.html, to connect a speaker amp to your pc/ipod your need a 3.5mm to stereo rca cable , id would recommend getting a soundcard or dac with a proper 2vrms line out and for the ipod I reccomend getting a line-out dock, headphone sockets are not designed to provide a good signal for a speaker amp.

Woo lucky it was brought up - observe polarity yada yada and it's all good  Example video/tutorial