Thanks, guys.
And Peter - to answer your question - the wires coming out of the bookshelf speakers are color coded. One is blue and the other is blue/black. But the center and surround speakers are black and gray/black. They do not terminate in any "connectors" on the back of the speakers, but rather come straight out of the back of the speakers...
Anyway - it's a temporary fix until the big dogs come in the mail....the long 13 week wait is almost over (of course, after I wait for 9 weeks, the wait goes down to 7) /murphy's law rant
But thanks you guys for the info on polarity. I appreciate the info
