6 September 2007
WOODBURY, NY — Recognizing the growing consumer demand for home entertainment systems and custom installations with multizone audio/video capabilities, Harman Kardon, Inc., is exhibiting a wide range of solutions for multiroom applications at CEDIA Expo 2007.
In addition to the DMC 1000 digital media center, which serves as a four-zone playback source,
and the AVR Series audio/video receivers, which incorporate extensive multizone features, the company offers a versatile lineup of multiroom products, on exhibit at the Colorado Convention Center, Booth 580, (September 6 — 9, 2007).
ABH 4000 and AB 2: Providing Extended A-BUS Multiroom Functionality
The Harman Kardon ABH 4000 four-zone/eight-room A-BUS expansion hub distributes two-channel audio, power and control signals from up to four audio source components to up to four zones and eight room locations. The AB 2 in-wall A-BUS keypad controller operates in conjunction with the ABH 4000 to provide source selection and control functions from a remote room location, and features a built-in two-channel amplifier to power a pair of speakers in the remote zone.
The ABH 4000 provides an easy-to-install, cost-effective means of creating a multizone audio system that may be implemented using just source components, an ABH 4000 and AB 2 modules and loudspeakers located in the remote zones. The ABH 4000 can also add A-BUS multizone capability to any receiver or directly to any analog audio source via its loop-through RCA-jack audio connections, or expand the capabilities of Harman Kardon A-BUS multiroom receivers. Multiple ABH 4000’s can be linked together for larger multizone systems.
The ABH 4000 includes four pairs of two-channel audio inputs that accept the audio output from up to four independent program sources. It uses standard Cat. 5 cable to feed the AB 2 modules. Two AB 2 or AB 1 modules can be connected in each zone, for a total of eight separate remote-room locations. The audio from the program sources can be sent to each of the four zones, simultaneously and independently. The ABH 4000 utilizes fully buffered A-BUS outputs to provide superior sound quality even when using extremely long cable runs, and includes five IR emitter outputs, enabling IR control of connected source components in remote locations, as well as an IR receiver input. With its four routed IR outputs, an installation may use more than one source device of the same type, each controlled independently by the zone that selected it.
The AB 2 in-wall keypad controller incorporates a built-in two-channel digital amplifier, and includes buttons to directly select any of the four source components, and to control volume and other functions, including A-BUS system commands. It may also be connected directly to a Harman Kardon AVR 347 audio/video receiver for source selection without the need for a remote control. It fits into a standard electrical J-Box or plaster ring, and accepts a Decora cover plate to match other in-wall devices. In addition, the AB 2 includes an integrated IR sensor that relays commands from Harman Kardon Zone II remotes to the connected receiver or component via its A-BUS connection, without the need for additional devices or wires.
The Harman Kardon ABH 4000 four-zone/eight-room A-BUS expansion hub will be available in fall 2007 at a suggested retail price of $599. The AB 2 in-wall A-BUS keypad controller will be available in fall 2007 at a suggested retail price of $249.
ABH 4 A-BUS Expansion Hub: Whole-House Audio Distribution Made Easy
The ABH 4 A-BUS expansion hub increases the multiroom capability of any Harman Kardon A-BUS receiver. It connects to the A-BUS output of a receiver and distributes, via Cat. 5 cable, two-channel audio, power and control signals to up to four AB 2 or AB 1 in-wall modules in remote zones. The ABH 4 (SRP: $219) also includes two-channel audio inputs to enable any receiver with RCA-jack line-level multiroom audio outputs to interface with the ABH 4 and deliver audio to connected AB 2 or AB 1 modules, and provides four IR emitter outputs for IR control of connected source components in remote locations.
AB 1 In-Wall Amplified Module: Ultracompact for Custom-Installation Convenience
Designed for easy installation in multiroom audio systems, the AB 1 amplified in-wall module is a highly compact, in-wall-mountable two-channel amplifier module for A-BUS applications. The AB 1 (SRP: $149) connects to a compatible Harman Kardon A/V receiver or other A-BUS component via a Cat. 5 cable, and features a built-in two-channel amplifier to power a pair of speakers without the need for additional equipment. Like the AB 2, the AB 1 has an integrated IR sensor that delivers the flexibility of system control, fits into a standard electrical J-Box or plaster ring, and accepts a Decora cover plate. The AB 1 is also suitable for use in secondary rooms within a zone, where only volume controls are needed.
DMC 1000 Digital Media Center and AVR Series Receivers: Ideal for Multiroom Home Entertainment
Thanks to their two-channel audio inputs and IR outputs, the ABH 4000 and AB 2 can be used with the Harman Kardon DMC 1000 digital media center, a hard drive-based media server that provides a host of advanced media-storage and playback capabilities, including playback of up to four audio streams in four separate zones, playback of music or video/still images from an iPod* when a compatible iPod (not included) is connected via The Bridge** iPod docking station from Harman Kardon (sold separately). The DMC 1000’s many additional features include HDMI output with video upscaling to 1080p. The combination of the DMC 1000, ABH 4000 and AB 2 constitutes a cost-effective whole-house music-playback system with additional, highly versatile video and home entertainment functionality.
The Harman Kardon AVR 745, AVR 347 and AVR 247 audio/video receivers offer exceptional audio and video performance, features and multiroom flexibility. All can be used in used in 7.1-channel mode (except the AVR 247) or switched to 5.1-plus-stereo dual-zone configuration, and all incorporate the A-BUS Ready system (except the AVR 247) for easy multizone audio connectivity, without the need for external amplifiers, using a single Cat. 5 cable to connect a receiver in one room to a Harman Kardon AB 2 or AB 1 amplified in-wall control/amplifier module in a second room.
In addition, when used with an ABH 4000, the receiver’s FM/AM tuner, an iPod that is connected to the receivers via The Bridge iPod docking station from Harman Kardon, and XM Satellite Radio*** can also be enjoyed through the multiroom system. (An XM Satellite Radio antenna module, not included with the receiver, and an XM subscription is required for XM Radio reception.)
Following is an outline of selected ABH 4000, ABH 4, AB 2 and AB 1 features.
ABH 4000
• Distributes up to four audio sources to up to four zones and eight rooms
• Connects to AB 2 or AB 1 amplified in-wall module or compatible A-BUS products
• Multiple ABH 4000’s can be cascaded for larger multiroom installations; may also be cascaded with ABH 4 hubs
• Four RCA two-channel audio inputs and four two-channel audio outputs
• Can be used with any A/V or stereo receiver to add multiroom A-BUS functionality
• Provides expanded multiroom capabilities when used with Harman Kardon A-BUS receivers, including FM/AM, iPod and XM Satellite Radio playback
• Includes 4 IR emitter outputs and IR input
• Fully buffered A-BUS outputs for superior sound quality over long cable runs
ABH 4
• Distributes audio to up to four zones
• Connects to AB 2 or AB 1 amplified in-wall module or compatible A-BUS products
• Multiple ABH 4’s can be cascaded for larger multiroom installations; may also be cascaded from an ABH 4000 hub
• RCA two-channel audio input for connection to a receiver’s line-level multiroom audio output
• Includes 4 IR emitter outputs
• Local IR input, compatible with standard IR remote sensors
• Fully buffered A-BUS outputs for superior sound quality over long cable runs
AB 2
• Compact, amplified in-wall module for A-BUS applications
• For use with ABH 4000 or ABH 4 expansion hub or compatible A-BUS components
• Built-in two-channel amplifier
• Includes buttons to select any of four source components, and to control volume and other functions, including system control of an ABH 4000 or an AVR 347 receiver
• Fits into a standard electrical J-Box or plaster ring; accepts a Decora cover plate
• Includes integrated IR sensor that relays commands from Harman Kardon Zone II remotes to the connected receiver or component via its A-BUS connection
AB 1
• Compact, amplified in-wall module for A-BUS applications
• For use with ABH 4000 or ABH 4 expansion hub or compatible A-BUS components
• Built-in two-channel amplifier
• Includes up/down volume and mute controls
• Fits into a standard electrical J-Box or plaster ring; accepts a Decora cover plate
• Includes integrated IR sensor that relays commands from Harman Kardon Zone II remotes to the connected receiver or component via its A-BUS connection The Harman Consumer Group (HCG), Inc., is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com) is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”
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For additional information, contact:
Frank Doris
FM Public Relations
631-385-1304 ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
Harman Kardon, JBL, Infinity, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon are registered trademarks, and is a trademark, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
A-BUS is a registered trademark of LeisureTech Electronics Pty Ltd.
Decora is a registered trademark of Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
XM and XM Ready are registered trademarks of XM Satellite Radio.
*Compatible with iPod models with docking connector; includes all Click Wheel models.
***The Bridge is compatible with the DMC 1000 digital media center and Harman Kardon AVR 47 Series, AVR 146, 45 Series and 40 Series receivers; not compatible with earlier Harman Kardon products, or with other brands of audio/video equipment.
***Optional XM antenna module and subscription to XM service required. Hardware and service sold separately. XM service is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
© 2007 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
