stereo speakers hissing and whining

[CatsinQ]

Hi, I hope this is the right place to post this. It's not really a current tech Q. as much as a vintage tech Q ...but maybe it's simple enough that someone here will be able to help.

I have two old JBL speakers and they are connected to a receiver. No matter what I am listening to (TV, CD's, radio) both speakers hiss and whine and make static-y noises. When I disconnect the red wire from the back of the right it stops, and the same on the left. Since it is both coming from the red wire, does that mean the issue is in my receiver?

Thanks and Happy Holidays everyone!

 

[popatim]

Red wire? Oh I think I know what you mean.
Speakers use a + and a - normally. Speaker Wire is either color coded too (sometimes a silver wire on one side and a brass color on the other, Or a white stripe on one wire and none on the other... Pick a wire color to represent - (or black) and then make sure all speakers and the receiver are wired using that color as - (black)

See if that clears up the issue.