How can I hook up these speakers to my iMac?

[AlmightyG5]

Is it possible to take a speaker box that has the terminal type output that connects with bare wires and hook them up to an iMac? The box I have has two L & R outputs so IDK if that will work...I Can't use a reciever or anything but is there a converter box or something that can connect to the iMac with optical maybe?

The plugs look like these:

 

[EricNau]

Any receiver with a TOSlink input should work. However, I think these can be expensive.

 

[decksnap]

Why can't you use a receiver? Don't call me stupid - just asking. That's what I use.

 

[Mord]

are they powered? if so just get a 3.5mm jack to 4x bare wires and wire it in.

 

[Sesshi]

They're speaker terminals. They require an amplified output. You will need a receiver or an integrated / power amp. No powered speaker has bare-wire terminals these days.

 

[Mord]

i have a pair of powered speakers with terminals.

 

[Sesshi]

i have a pair of powered speakers with terminals.

That's rare. Linky?

 

[Collin973]

are they powered? if so just get a 3.5mm jack to 4x bare wires and wire it in.

That's what I would suggest. Shouldn't be too hard and you might be able to find something on the internet about doing it.

 

[FullmetalZ26]

Is space an issue with the receiver, or something else? If it's price, you can generally pick up a decent stereo receiver (often with multiple sets of speaker outputs) on craigslist for less than $50. Increases sound quality noticeably, and pumps out a lot more sound even on smaller speakers. I've got a Pioneer digital 5.1 receiver hooked up to my Mini, and using it makes the mini+amplified speakers sound like AM radio by comparison. Granted, the receiver is about 15 times the size of the Mini, but so are most of my other peripherals...