Ozzy, Thanks a lot for the website links. Indeed it was too bad @ the local home improvement stores.
Undertow, thanks for the detailed explanation - looks like a 1-3/8" reducer to 1-1/4" will do the job. I do have a local ACE hardware store that I can try. I will take my IEC along.
Rx8man, thanks for your kind words re. the Scintillas! They sound as good as they look but need a brute of an amp to do the job. These speakers belong in the "Society for Cruelty to Amplifiers"!! ;)
Yes, I did discover McMaster-Carr. If my local ACE store does not work out, I'll order online. Thanks for the M-C suggestion.