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including Play, Pause, Preset Up/Down, Track Skip Up/Down, Chapter
Next/Previous and Disc Skip.

For more sophisticated control, aim a properly programmed remote control, such
as the second-zone remote included with an A-BUS-equipped Harman Kardon
receiver, at the IR Receiver on the AB 1 or AB 2 (or other A-BUS module if so
equipped), and control commands will be passed directly to the source device.

Volume Control

Volume is controlled locally for each room of each zone using its A-BUS module.
On the AB 1, tap the Volume Down Button to temporarily mute the audio, and
tap the Volume Up Button to restore audio. For the AB 2, each short press of 
the Power Off Button toggles between the muted and unmuted modes.

NOTE:

When the system is turned off, all modules will reset to their minimum

volume.

Powering the System Off

Press and hold the Power Button on an AB 2 to turn off the ABH 4000 and 
the entire system, if the Harman Kardon A-BUS-equipped receiver is in tuner
mode. If another source is playing, the AVR will remain on – for example, if 
someone is watching a DVD in the main listening room. However, the ABH 4000
will turn off, which terminates the trigger signal and thus turns off any sources
connected to the Trigger Output.

NOTES:

• 

If you wish to fully power down the system, select the tuner as the source 
just before pressing and holding the Off Button.

• If you only wish to power down the ABH 4000, make sure that any sources

being used by others are not connected to the Trigger Output, or they will 
turn off.

LED Indicators

The three LED indicators on the ABH 4000 signify the following operational modes:

• The Status Indicator lights when the system is activated either by connection 

to an A-BUS-equipped product that is turned on, when a source is selected,
or when the system is turned on from a remote zone. This light also indicates
that the Trigger Output is active.

• The Power Indicators light when an AC Power Supply is connected to either

power input on the ABH 4000 (for Bank A or B) and/or when a connection 
is made between the ABH 4000 and an A-BUS-equipped product. This light
does not indicate that the system is powered on; that is indicated by the
Status Indicator.

• The IR Talk Indicator flashes whenever an IR command is transmitted through

the system.

Troubleshooting Guide

If the remote A-BUS modules do not operate at all:

• Verify all connections between the remote modules and the ABH 4000.

• Check the RJ-45 connection between the ABH 4000 and the host product.

• Check the AC power connection at both the ABH 4000’s Power Jacks and 

on the Power Supplies.

If the remote module’s status LED is lit but there is no sound:

• Make certain that an active source has been selected on the host receiver.

• Check the RJ-45 connection between the ABH 4000 and the A-BUS-

equipped host product.

• Check the audio connections between the ABH 4000 and the non-A-BUS

host product.

• When the ABH 4000 remote or the AB 2 keypad is in use and the CD player

or The Bridge has been selected, repeat the command, as it issues Play and
Pause and depends on the current status of the source.

For additional troubleshooting information and updated operational and 
installation hints, please visit the Product Support section of the Harman Kardon
Web site at www.harmankardon.com.

Specifications

ABH 4000 Dimensions (D x W x H):

3-5/16" x 7-3/16" x 1-3/16" (83mm x 184mm x 30mm)

Weight: 0.9 lb (410g)

Power Supply Dimensions (D x W x H):

2-13/16" x 5-15/16" x 1-7/16" (70mm x 151mm x 36mm)

Weight: 1 lb (450g)

Power Supply Input: 108V – 264V AC, 115 watts

Power Supply Output: 24-volt, 4-amp supply included

Trigger Output: 12 volts, 100ma

Wiring protocol for A-BUS connections: TIA wiring specification for TIA 568A 

Figure 4 –

AB 2 module

Figure 5 –

ABR remote (included with AB 2)

The AB 2 keypad is operated using “long” and “short” button presses to activate
different commands using the same button. A short press is released quickly. For a
long press, continue to hold the button for about three seconds before releasing it.

Function Table

Source Selection

When an AB 2 is present or using the ABR remote, press any of its four source
buttons to select that source. If the AB 2 and the ABH 4000 are turned off, they
will turn on, and if the source is connected to the Trigger Output, it will be activated
and play will begin. The AB 2’s power indicator LED will light to indicate that the
system is turned on, and the LED indicator for the selected source will light on
the AB 2.

To select The Bridge as the source on an A-BUS-equipped Harman Kardon
product when The Bridge is connected, press and hold the AVR Button on the 
AB 2, or press the appropriate source selector on the second-zone remote
included with the AVR.

NOTES:

• 

The functions selecting The Bridge or a CD player as the source issue the
Play/Pause command. However, the source’s status is not communicated back
to the AB 2, which always issues the same command when the button is
pressed. If the source is selected and no audio is heard, press the button again.

• 

Some older CD players and other source devices require separate commands
for the Play and Pause functions. These devices may not operate as described
when connected to Source 2.

• It is preferable to connect all of the sources to an A-BUS-equipped Harman Kardon

product, and select and operate them using the second-zone remote included
with the product.

Source Control

If the source is an A-BUS-equipped product, or if it is connected to the Routed 
or Common IR Outputs using either a wired connection or an IR emitter, the AB 2
or its remote will provide simple control functions as described in the table above,

Operation

There are no user controls on the ABH 4000; it is controlled using an AB 2 
keypad or the remote suppled with the AB 2.

After checking the connections, plug the AC power cord from the ABH 4000’s
Power Supply A into a non-switched AC outlet. If modules have been connected
to Bank B for any zone, a second power supply (sold separately) is required and
must be plugged into Power Supply B and a second non-switched AC outlet.
The power supply is designed specifically for use with the ABH 4000. Do not
substitute another power supply.

When the ABH 4000 is used with an A-BUS-equipped product, the A-BUS
modules in the remote room operate as if they were connected directly to the host
receiver. No further controls are needed. Follow the instructions included with the
A-BUS modules for operation information.

When the multiroom system of a Harman Kardon A-BUS-equipped product is
turned on or when a source is selected from one of the zones, the ABH 4000
will also be activated.

When a non-A-BUS source is used, the ABH 4000 turns on when a source is
selected from one of the zones.

The Status Indicator will light, and the Trigger Output will activate, signaling any
devices connected to it to turn on as well.

Use the second-zone remote included with an A-BUS-equipped product to 
operate the sources and the system, as described in the product’s manual. For 
simple functions, when an AB 2 keypad is installed, it may be used to operate
the sources and system as described below. The ABR remote included with the
AB 2 may also be used, as described in the Function Table.

numbered Audio Input. The ABH 4000 will route signals from any output zone
that has selected that source device directly to that device. This allows you to
use two sources with the same control code set, such as two CD players, with
control commands affecting only the desired device.

Use the Common IR Output when all devices use independent code sets 
to simplify control through a receiver or other central component. All control 
commands received from all zones are output through the single Common 
IR Output. Connect it to a receiver’s IR input, or connect an IR emitter that is 
placed over the receiver’s IR sensor, as shown in Figure 3.

Optional Step Five: System Expansion
See Optional Step Four in the Connections to an A-BUS-Equipped
Product section, to expand the system using additional hubs.

NOTE:

The following steps provide additional options that extend the flexibility of

your A-BUS system. If you are not familiar with audio/video systems installations,
you may wish to have them completed by a properly trained installer.

Optional Step Six: Trigger Connection

Connect the Trigger Output to a component or power relay that turns on in
response to a steady-state 12-volt trigger signal. When the ABH 4000 hub 
is turned on, the trigger signal will turn on any components connected to the
Trigger Output, or components that are plugged into a power strip connected 
to the Trigger Output. When the ABH 4000 is turned off, the components will
also turn off.

Optional Step Seven: Connect IR Emitters

If you are not using direct IR control connections to “IR In” jacks on non-A-BUS
products and wish to control a source product, connect an optional IR emitter 
to the 

Routed 

or

Common IR Outputs

and place it over the IR sensor on 

the front panel of the unit to be controlled.

Harman Kardon is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States 
and/or other countries. Designed to Entertain is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
A-BUS is a registered trademark of LeisureTech Electronics Pty Ltd.

All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, New York 11797 
516.255.4545   Fax: 516.682.3583
© 2008 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Part No. ABH-4000-OM

ABH 4000

4-Zone/8-Room Expansion Hub

for A-BUS

®

Applications 

A-BUS

®

 Modules (Harman Kardon AB 1 and AB 2 shown)

 Non-A-BUS Sources

ABH 4000

Button Name

ABR Remote 

Long Press on AB 2

(Short Press on AB 2)

AVR

Turns on an A-BUS-equipped  Turns on an A-BUS-equipped
product and selects tuner as 

product, selects The Bridge

source. Subsequent presses  

as source and if an iPod is

toggle tuner band.

docked in The Bridge, begins
play. If iPod was playing, it 
will pause. Press again if no 
audio is heard.

CD

Turns on CD player and 

If CD is already playing,

issues Play/Pause command.

issues Disc Skip command.

If player is paused, it will begin 
playing. If player was playing,
it will pause. Press again if no 
audio is heard.

DVD

Turns on DVD player and 

If DVD was turned on (LED

begins play.

on AUX button is lit), issues 
DVD Play command.

MP3

ABH 4000 selects Source 4.

ABH 4000 selects Source 4.

Power Off

Mutes or unmutes the AB 2;

If Source 1 is playing, turns

only that AB 2 is affected.

off an A-BUS-equipped 
product. If another source is 
playing, AVR remains on and 
ABH 4000 is turned off.

Skip (AB 2 only)

Depends on current source:

Depends on current source:

Tuner – Preset Up

Tuner – Preset Down

CD – Track Skip Up

CD – Track Skip Down

DVD – Next Chapter

DVD – Previous Chapter

Source 4 – no action

Source 4 – no action

Volume Up

Volume Up

Volume Up

Volume Down

Volume Down

Volume Down

System Off 

If Source 1 is playing, turns

Not applicable

(ABR remote

off an A-BUS-equipped

only)

product. If another source is
playing, AVR remains on and
ABH 4000 is turned off.

Figure 2 –

Connecting the ABH 4000 to a non-A-BUS-equipped product

ABH 4000

Figure 3 –

Connecting the IR outputs to non-A-BUS products

ABH 4000 OM (Large)  1/18/08  9:35 AM  Page 2

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