Which FM Receiver is Ideal for You?
Single-Channel, Multi-Channel; Field-Tunable, User-Tunable: in the world of FM hearing assistance receivers, it’s easy to get lost in the options.
Industry-leading hearing assistance manufacturer Williams Sound recently introduced their newest receiver: The R37.
Unlike its predecessor, the R35, the R37 features push-button tuning to automatically zero in on the correct transmission.
But despite this capability, the R37 doesn’t quite qualify as a true multi-channel receiver like the Williams Sound R35-8N.
What exactly are the differences between these receivers? Here are 3 applications you might encounter for your FM hearing assistance system- and advice on which receiver is best for each application.
1. Single-Channel Receivers for Small Tours
Tour guide systems with portable transmitters are a great way to make sure everyone hears what the tour leader has to say. Tour leaders simply put on a belt-pack transmitter, plug in a mic, and tour members listen to the presentation on their personal headphones.
For indoor and outdoor tours with a single guide – or for small venues like churches using fixed-transmitter hearing systems- you can save money by using a single-channel receiver like the Williams Sound R35.
Although the R35 is discontinued, it’s compatible with any transmitter broadcasting on the correct frequency, including those currently available from Williams Sound.
The R35 is tunable, but requires a special tool to do so. This makes it easy to use a tuning tool to set the receivers to the correct frequency and forget about it (and not worry about tour members accidentally resetting the frequency).
On the other hand, manually setting a large number of receivers can get tedious. As your group of listeners expands, consider a receiver with push-button tuning.
2. Tunable Receivers for Multiple Transmissions
FM receivers like the Williams Sound R37 include a single push-button tuner inside their battery case, which greatly simplifies tuning while still preventing accidental channel changing.
To tune into the closest transmitter, users simply press the button, and it automatically selects the correct frequency.
This feature is especially handy for tour groups that may switch guides mid-tour, or for tours moving through a permanent installation that may have transmitters at different locations constantly broadcasting an audio signal, such as a museum with a different program in each room.
In these situations, users can hop to the next transmitter just by pushing the button on the R37 receiver.
But what if your tour or presentation features simultaneous audio programs (such as multiple language transmissions or multiple presenters in a single room)?
3. 8-Channel Receivers for Simultaneous Presentations
For events such as conventions where multiple presentations may be taking place in a large area, users may need to switch between different channels while they’re in range of multiple transmitters.
In these cases, a multi-channel receiver like the Williams Sound R35-8 is the best choice.
These receivers are also a handy way to provide hearing assistance to listeners who don’t speak the same language. At the push of a button, the listener can switch to whatever program he or she wants to hear.
What uses have you found for your hearing assistance systems? Which receivers work best for you? Leave a comment and let us know!
