Williams AV FM 557-12 PRO D – FM+ PRO System with Dante, 12 R37 Receivers

Product Overview

The Williams AV FM 557-12 PRO D is a turnkey FM+ assistive listening package for mid-size venues that combines a Dante-enabled dual FM and Wi-Fi transmitter with 12 PPA R37N receivers and the rack-installation accessories a professional deployment requires. Audiences listen through the supplied body-pack FM receivers or stream the broadcast to their smartphones over the facility's Wi-Fi network. With charging hardware, antenna, rack kit, and ADA signage in the box, this system gives integrators a single line item for hearing assistance in a networked commercial AV project.

Product Description

The heart of the package is the FM+ T55 D transmitter. Its Dante port pulls program audio directly from the venue's audio-over-IP network, so the assistive listening feed originates at the same DSP that drives the loudspeaker system — no analog breakout needed. A combination XLR/1/4-inch jack still handles balanced or unbalanced mic and line-level sources with selectable phantom power when an analog feed is preferred. The transmitter's DSP audio processor offers 1:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1 compression plus adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters, settings that matter when the priority is intelligible speech for hearing-impaired listeners rather than flat program reproduction. The half-rack chassis mounts in a standard 19-inch rack with the included RPK 005 panel kit and presents a 3.12-inch OLED display for local setup; a hosted web page and Telnet control over Ethernet handle remote management and control-system integration. On the listening side, each PPA R37N receiver accesses 17 wideband channels from 72.1 to 75.9 MHz through a seek button, ships with an EAR 022 surround earphone, and recharges in the included CHG 3512 12-bay charger using the supplied NiMH batteries. Three NKL 001 neckloops serve telecoil hearing aid users, and the ANT 005 remote antenna pushes coverage out to 1,000 feet. The FCC mandates professional installation with a compliant antenna. Compare receiver counts across the family in our Williams AV collection, or step up to the FM 557-24 PRO D for larger venues.

Key Features

• Dante-Enabled Transmitter — The T55 D receives program audio over the Dante network, keeping the assistive listening system inside the venue's digital audio infrastructure.
• Simultaneous FM and Wi-Fi Output — Hardware receivers and smartphone listeners hear the same broadcast at the same time from one transmitter.
• Twelve Receivers with Earphones — PPA R37N body-packs with EAR 022 surround earphones cover the ADA receiver counts typical of mid-size assembly rooms.
• Centralized Charging — A CHG 3512 12-bay drop-in charger and twelve NiMH battery sets keep the whole receiver fleet event-ready.
• Third-Party Control Support — Telnet over Ethernet and a hosted web page integrate the transmitter with room control and monitoring platforms.
• 17-Channel Frequency Agility — Selectable wideband channels between 72.1 and 75.9 MHz prevent interference in multi-system facilities.
• Large-Area Antenna Included — The ANT 005 remote coaxial antenna extends transmission range up to 1,000 feet.
• Complete ADA Package — Neckloops for telecoil users and the IDP 008 wall plaque support compliance with 2010 ADA hearing assistance guidelines.
• Scales with the Venue — The FM broadcast serves unlimited listeners, so receivers can be added without touching the head end.

Typical Applications

• House of worship
• Government space
• Auditorium
• Training room
• Multi-purpose room
• All-hands room

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this system connect to a Dante audio network?

The T55 D transmitter joins the Dante network through standard network cabling and is routed like any Dante receive device, so the assistive listening feed can be assigned from Dante Controller alongside the rest of the venue's audio routing.

Does Wi-Fi streaming replace the FM receivers?

No — the two run in parallel. The 12 R37 receivers guarantee ADA-required hardware availability, while the Wi-Fi stream lets additional attendees listen on their own smartphones using the venue's existing wireless network.

What is involved in mounting the transmitter?

The transmitter is one EIA rack unit high and half a rack space wide; the included RPK 005 panel kit secures it in a standard 19-inch rack. An optional RPK 006 kit mounts two half-rack units side by side.

How are the receivers maintained between events?

Receivers drop into the included CHG 3512 12-bay charger with their NiMH batteries installed. A full charge yields roughly 32 hours of listening; alkaline AAs can substitute in a pinch for about 50 hours.

Is this system FCC compliant out of the box?

The hardware is FCC approved, but the FCC requires professional installation with an approved FCC 15.203-compliant antenna. The included ANT 005 is compliant; the Williams AV Antenna Selection Install Guide covers alternatives such as the ANT 021, ANT 024, and ANT 025.

What warranty backs this package?

Williams AV covers the transmitter with a two-year parts and labor warranty and the R37 receivers with a Lifetime PLUS limited warranty (earphones, headphones, and batteries excluded).