Gurus,

My only interest in the ICBM is its Stereo Subs option in the HT 5.1

The ICBM manual shows a 5 channel amp for the 5.1 HT set up with a 5 pre out receiver such as mine, my receiver doesn’t have “amp in’. I need separate amps.

Let’s take stock of my gear to get acquainted: Soon to arrive, 2 Mackie’s HR 824 powered monitors, AudioSource stereo amp EITHER for rears OR in mono for center, seems I’m missing an amp with this configuration.

Since the purpose of the ICBM is to better accommodate the “Stereo Subs” crossovers and to eliminate the now used fixed high pass.Will I only need the “Stereo Subs” portion of the ICBM in my 5.1 set up?

The other confusion I’m having is with the Mackie’s various crossover settings, how will the ICBM handle these OR will it bypass the Mackie’s controls?

Do I need another amp to configure the ICBM for its true intent, even though the real goal is to accomplish Stereo Subs in a 5.1 set up?

If so, I need another AudioSource amp for center or rears!!

What is the correct configuration for my purposes?

If all you want to do is have stereo subs supporting your left and right channels (no LFE, no crossover of data from other channels to the subs), you could simply connect the left and right pre-amp outputs to the ICBM, then connect the Mackies and subs to the ICBM. The only settings that would be relevant on the ICBM would then be the front crossover and the sub controls. In this case (and in any case with the ICBM upsteam of the Mackies), I would recommend bypassing crossover controls at the Mackies.

If you want to have stereo subs that also get LFE data from the .1 subwoofer output of your receiver and low frequency data from the center and surrounds, you will need to connect all six pre-amp channels (left, right, center, both surrounds, and sub) from the receiver to the ICBM, set all speakers to "large" at the receiver, and provide amps downstream of the ICBM for the center and both surrounds.

Thanks for the reply,

Yes, Stereo Subs with the LFE from the .1 sub output is correct, a full blown 5.1 with the ADDED feature of Stereo Subs is what I'm after.

Looking at the manual pg.6 shows your description of the 5.1 set up WITHOUT the second sub, otherwise that is the configuration...yes?

In recapping: The 2 L/F powered Mackie’s, the AudioSource stereo amp for rears, so it appears I’m missing either another AudioSource amp (mono) OR a single Mackie for center.

Do I have this correct?

Please add what I may be over looking.

Thanks,

I think you've got it squared away.

Thank you for setting me straight on that configuration.

Here’s is another idea suggested to me, I wanted your opinion on and if it’s doable without any major drawbacks, keep in mind HT 5.1 only.

“You only need stereo subs for 2-channel music. Multi channel signals direct most of the bass content to the LFE channel, and that is mono. There are a few exceptions, but they are rare.

Here's my advice, use the ICBM as a crossover just for your Left & Right speakers at this time. Set the L & R speakers to "large" in your receiver and turn the LFE output off so that ALL bass is sent to the L & R outputs. That will redirect the bass from the center and surround channels through the ICBM and the main speakers."

What say you?

Thanks again.

That should work fine in most cases, actually, and depending on your source components could be very well suited to your system since it would avoid the need for an extra amp. The one case where you could run into a problem is when dealing with DVD-Audio or SACD and a player whose internal bass management is not applied to those high-res formats, in which case the LFE data stays in the sub channel all the way through the receiver.

Thanks again,

I’m not a technical person…. Connections / Configurations are problematic for yours truly, sheer lack of Peptide / Neuropeptide, The brain works on a different plane.

With that now out of the way, I’ll proceed….

It seems at this time the suggested configuration the one you also endorse will be the final configuration.

If it helps, the receiver is an Elite VSX 36 TX, subs are Velodyne’s.

I’m now reviewing Pg.9 in the manual seems befitting to the scheme and present equipment on hand.

First question: Where is the connection to the 2nd sub made?

Appears with the Mackie’s the crossover might be 60 Hz, Continuing from there, can you please explain the employment of the various features in the ICBM that this scheme mandates for successful operation within the boundaries.

In a nutshell, what controls need to be engaged?

Finally…I’m a visual learner, clear defined diagrams work best…if the need arises.

Thank You,

Diagram illustrates present configuration.

The left side of the ICBM's rear panel has two toggle switches and two outputs (labeled "R" and "L" under a heading labeled "Sub/LFE Output" - those "R" and "L" outputs are where you would connect the right and left subwoofers. The preamp connections from the receiver will of course go to the LEFT and RIGHT IN jacks, and then the LEFT and RIGHT OUT jacks will be connected to the inputs on the Mackies.

Since you will be mixing the LFE signal into the front channels at the receiver and only connecting the front channel pre-amp outputs to the ICBM's inputs, the only front panel controls that you need to worry about are the left/right crossover point and the subwoofer level. The "LFE Mix" control does not apply because you are not using the ICBM's LFE input. Since the goal here is stereo subs, you'll want to have the MODE switch set to "STEREO". The LOWPASS switch can probably be left in "NORMAL". LEFT/RIGHT RECOMBINE should be set to "OFF".

Thank You Sir,

I am truly impressed with you, not only in your promptness, but also in your style.

Yeah, that Gonk, he's a keeper alright!