Connecting Speakers for backyard system

Hi All:

I am going to be hosting a few outdoor parties this summer and wanted to have some outside music. I was able to obtain an old Sony receiver str AV-250 and a pair of Fisher speakers (80’s vintage) from my local transfer station. The price was certainly right!
The Sony receiver has spring clip speaker connections and the Fisher speakers have a single RCA female marked 8 ohm. I had a pair of RCA speaker cables about 25’ hanging around which seem to be perfect. I cut the female ends off, stripped the wires and connected to the receiver. The other male ends I connected to each speaker. Everything works fine. A few questions:
1) My old RCA speaker cables seem to be about 20 GA. Is that ok? IF not is it possible to obtain RCA male termination to upgrade to say 16 ga? Monoprice?
2) Does polarity matter when connecting the speaker or am I ok as long as I stay consistent with each channel? What I did was make the center connector of my RCA connection positive for both channels.
Thanks Bob

Gauge could matter if you drive the speakers really hard but for an outdoor party it will probably be fine. You are correct that you have to stay consistent with the polarity but it doesn't matter which lead you choose as positive/red. Another cheap option is to get some 14 gauge lamp cord from Home Depot or Lowe's. The RCA connector are fine for what you want to do.

<Another cheap option is to get some 14 gauge lamp cord from Home Depot or Lowe's. The RCA connector are fine for what you want to do.<
I have some 16Ga speaker wire hanging around, my problem is how to put RCA termination on it? Thanks Bob

Sounds like a tripp to Radioshack might be in order. You could go into the back of the speaker and convert them or probably find an adapter.

"You could go into the back of the speaker and convert them"

Yes, new posts for the speakers. Excellent idea. Bob

It wouldn't have to be posts just a coouple of wires connected to the right spots.

Yes, but posts are more fun. thanks Bob