A speaker system having intelligence for communication with the amplifier. The speaker system contains a communications module that transmits information across the connection between the speaker system and the amplifier with regard to the speaker characteristics. The communications module may be powered by a rectifier that derives power from a high frequency carrier signal passed to it by a high-pass filter. The method of operating the speaker generates a carrier signal and powers the communications module using the carrier signal. The communications module transmits information to the amplifier so long as the carrier signal is present and shuts down when the carrier signal is no longer present. An optional step includes allowing communication to the speaker system from the amplifier.