Step 1: Check what's in the box
- ✔️ 1 WM-8D 8", 2-way wall mounted PoE powered Dante speaker
- ✔️ 1 Silicon cap
- ✔️ 1 EasyMount mounting bracket
- ✔️ 2 bracket screws
- ✔️ 1 L-Shaped Allen key (M6)
- ✔️ 1 Quick start guide
Step 2: Get to know your WM-8D
Diagram of the Kramer WM-8D speaker components. Number 1 points to the Speaker body. Number 2 indicates the EasyMount Bracket. Number 3 shows Mounting bracket screws. Number 4 is the Factory Reset button. Number 5 is the RJ45 connector. Number 6 highlights the 75mm VESA mounting threads. Number 7 is the Speaker grill. Number 8 marks the Safety anchor point.
| # | Feature | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speaker | Speaker body |
| 2 | EasyMount Bracket | For mounting the bracket in horizontal or vertical position as well as in corners |
| 3 | Mounting bracket screws | For securing the EasyMount bracket to the speaker and adjusting the angle |
| 4 | Factory Reset button | For resetting the DSP to default values |
| 5 | RJ45 connector | PoE Ethernet connector |
| 6 | 75mm VESA mounting threads | Standard 75mm VESA mounting threads for alternative mounting options |
| 7 | Speaker grill | Speaker's grill |
| 8 | Safety anchor point | Secondary safety anchor point for securing a seismic restraint cable |
Step 3: Key Features
- Supports PoE++/PoE+/PoE (auto-negotiate)
- Built-in mixer, DSP, and amplifier for two-channel mixing, parametric EQ, High pass and low pass filters, input compressor, output limiter and advanced power settings
- Features a built-in "Find Me" tone, making it easy to identify and locate individual speakers during installation or maintenance.
- Power handling: 10W continuous / 30W peak
- Sound Pressure Level (SPL):
- Sensitivity (1W@1m, free field): 90dB SPL
- Maximum SPL: Continuous: 100dB SPL / Peak: 105dB SPL
Regulatory Compliance
- UL1480A Certified
- IEC62368(CB) / CE LVD, UL62368-1
- FCC/IC, BIS, RCM
- RoHS, REACH, WEEE
Step 4: Achieving the Best Performance
For optimal performance, audio quality, and reliability of the Kramer WM-8D PoE Dante speaker, follow these cabling guidelines:
Ethernet Cable Requirements
Use high-quality CAT6A or higher, S/FTP or U/FTP shielded, 23 AWG (or thicker) conductors for long runs, rated 60°C+, and Low Smoke Halogen Free (for plenum/in-wall).
Recommended Kramer Cables
- PC6A-LS508 CAT6A S/FTP Patch Cord (0.15–30m)
- BC-DGKat7a23 CAT7a S/FTP Bulk Cable (23AWG, 100/305m)
- BC-UNIKAT CAT6A U/FTP Bulk Cable, Low Smoke & Halogen Free
Installation Best Practices
- Keep cable length <100m
- Avoid tight bundling or coiling
- Route away from power lines, dimmers, ballasts
- Ensure proper termination and grounding for shielded cables
Step 5: Choosing the Best Location
- Plan the location of the speakers based on the designated listening area, the height of the ceiling and dispersion angle of the speakers.
- Wall Type Suitability: Ensure the wall is appropriate for supporting the speaker's weight.
- Obstruction Check: Verify the mounting location is free of obstructions like electrical piping, AC ducts, or water lines.
- Ceiling Clearance: Avoid placing speakers too close to the ceiling to prevent sound distortion.
- Avoid Reflective Surfaces: Minimize placement near glass, tiles, or other reflective materials to reduce unwanted echo or reverb.
Step 6: Unpacking
- Carefully remove the speaker and bracket from the packaging.
- Inspect all components for damage before proceeding.
- Dispose of the packaging materials according to regulations.
Step 7: Mounting the Speaker
- Prepare the speaker cable – Route the cable from behind and slightly below the RJ-45 connector (angled at 45°) for easier connection.
- Install the EasyMount bracket - Mount in the designated wall location. Use the marked holes for either horizontal, vertical or corner installation.
- Attach the speaker - Secure it to the EasyMount bracket using the supplied screws (3).
- Adjust and lock – Set the desired angle and tighten the screws using the L-shaped Allen key that is supplied with the speaker.
Step 8: Wiring the Speaker
Your speaker connects to a PoE/PoE+/PoE++ switch using a CAT cable for both network connectivity and power. Connect the CAT cable to the appropriate port on the switch and the RJ-45 connector on the speaker. Once connected, the LEDs on the RJ-45 connector will begin to blink, indicating an active connection.
❗ Ensure the total power draw of all connected speakers stays within the PoE budget of the switch. Log in to the switch's management interface to confirm the available PoE capacity.
Step 9: Speaker setup
Your Dante speaker has a built-in DSP, mixer and amplifier. The speaker works out of the box without requiring any configuration. However, by using the Kramer Speaker Manager you can fine tune the configuration of the speaker (EQ, Low Pass Filter, High Pass Filter, Mixer and more).
The Dante speaker supports input from two channels and mixes them internally. By default, the speaker is configured to channel 1.
Please see this link for downloading the application (applicable for Windows only): Kramer Speaker Manager Setup
❗ When launched with an active Internet connection, Kramer Speaker Manager automatically checks for updates and prompts you to install the latest version if available.
Kramer Speaker Manager enables you to automatically discover Kramer PoE-powered Dante speakers and configure their DSP settings.
Ensure the following network settings are in place:
- 239.254.50.213:52123 – Multicast IP and port for speaker discovery
- 7000 – UDP port for device communication
- 22222 - Client port used by Kramer Speaker Manager
- Multicast traffic enabled in your network/switch configuration
Screenshot of the Kramer Speaker Manager application. The interface features sections for Output Volume, Parametric EQ (with adjustable frequency, gain, and Q factor), Input Match Gain, Compressor (with Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Hold, Release, Knee settings), and Routing. Options for saving and uploading presets are also visible.
For detailed instructions on the Kramer Speaker Manager, please refer to the WM-8D user's manual.
Step 10: Connecting to Dante Network
To integrate your Dante-enabled speaker into a Dante audio-over-IP system, follow these basic connection steps:
Minimum Requirements
Before connecting, ensure the following:
- Dante-compatible network switch (Gigabit Ethernet recommended)
- CAT5e or higher Ethernet cable
- Dante-enabled audio source or transmitter (e.g., Dante audio interface, DSP, or mixing console)
- Dante Controller software installed on a PC/Mac (free download from Audinate: Audinate Dante Controller)
For Dante Network requirements refer to Audinate WEB site: Audinate Dante Network Ports FAQ
Network Switch Settings
Make sure your switch settings meet the following criteria:
- Gigabit (1000 Mbps) speed - Dante requires high bandwidth for low-latency, uncompressed audio.
- Support for IGMP Snooping - Essential for efficient multicast traffic handling, especially in larger systems.
- Quality of Service (QoS) – Helps prioritize Dante clock and audio traffic over other network traffic.
- Non-blocking architecture - Ensures full bandwidth on all ports simultaneously.
- Fan-less or low-noise operation (optional) - Recommended for noise-sensitive environments like meeting rooms or classrooms.
❗ Avoid using unmanaged or low-cost consumer switches, as they may introduce latency or fail to route multicast Dante streams correctly.
Connecting Your Speaker
- Connect the Ethernet cable from the switch to the RJ-45 connector in the speaker.
- Make sure the speaker is powered (LED in the RJ-45 will start blinking).
- Launch Dante Controller on your PC/Mac connected to the same network.
- Locate the speaker under the "Receivers" section. It will appear as WM-8D-XXXXXX (based on its device name).
- Patch one or two Dante channels from a source device to the speaker.
The speaker's default routing is to Channel 1, but you can assign Channel 2 or mix both using the Kramer Speaker Utility.
Screenshot of the Dante Controller software's Network View. The display shows a list of Transmitters and Receivers. The WM-8D speaker is listed under Receivers. A routing matrix allows patching audio channels from transmitters to receivers. Device Info, Clock Status, and Network Status indicators are present.
Once connected and routed, audio will start streaming instantly with near-zero latency.
ℹ️ Tip: Rename the speaker in Dante Controller for easier system identification.
ℹ️ Tip: To find the speaker in the room, click the "Find Me" icon in Kramer Speaker Manager. The speaker will play a series of beeps to help you locate it.
