Can't connect speaker wire

I must be missing something, but I can't connect my speaker wire to my new receiver. I'm trying to connect my 20 year old Bose Acoustimass Speakers to my Onkyo TX-8050 receiver. My old receiver had spring clips. My new receiver has binding posts where you thread the speaker wire through the center and then tighten. However, the wires just fall out. Do I need thicker wire?

Hi mambee,

Are you following the instruction on page 10 of the manual?

I thought I was. The wire is already 5/8" exposed. I loosened the terminal as far it went, inserted the tip of the speaker wire in the middle, and tightened. It is not grabbing the wire at all. I had my neighbor try too. I must be missing something obvious.

Looking at it again, it doesn't go in the middle but in the slot.

D'oh!

Hi mambee,

It is a common question we get a lot. No worries..