How does an amplifier work with speakers?

An amplifier is the device that turns the low voltage signals from your source equipment into a signal with enough gain to be used to power a pair of speakers. The second does the heavy lifting and adds the gain to the signals in order to be used to power a pair of speakers. This is the power amplifier.

What amplifier do I need for my speakers?

Generally you should pick an amplifier that can deliver power equal to twice the speakers program/continuous power rating. This means that a speaker with a “nominal impedance” of 8 ohms and a program rating of 350 watts will require an amplifier that can produce 700 watts into an 8 ohm load.

Can I add external speakers to my TV?

No, you cannot connect speakers directly to a TV. Theres no standard set of TV audio outputs, although most have RCA (stereo) jacks, a 3.5mm jack, digital optical/coaxial jacks, or something similar. For TVs with only an HDMI output jack, its still possible to connect an external set of speakers or amp.