[spamiam]

I have speakers built into the ceilings at home. They were working in the past but I don't know what was connected to them. There are 4 volume controls each controlling 3-4 speakers in different rooms. They are all in neighboring rooms, so I don't need them to play different music. I'm just not sure what I need to get them working again (reciever, amp, both?).

 

[jdsmoothie]

Depends on whether you're only interested in providing audio to just these speakers or if you also want to put together a 5.1/7.1 system in the main TV room as well. If the former, then likely all you need is a stereo receiver with the source inputs you plan on using (eg. HDMI, USB, analog, networking). Identify how many wires must be connected to the receiver as the other room speakers are likely wired in series/parallel so you won't have a separate set of wires from each speaker to connect to the receiver.