IEC 63296-2:2023

IEC 63296-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2023-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Portable multimedia equipment – Determination of battery duration –
Part 2: Headphones and earphones with active noise-cancelling functions

Matériel multimédia portable – Détermination de la durée des batteries –
Partie 2: Casques et écouteurs avec fonctions de réduction de bruit active
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et
les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc

If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Recherche de publications IEC -  IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Découvrez notre puissant moteur de recherche et consultez
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC gratuitement tous les aperçus des publications. Avec un
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, abonnement, vous aurez toujours accès à un contenu à jour
comité d’études, …). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les adapté à vos besoins.
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Le premier dictionnaire d'électrotechnologie en ligne au monde,
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
avec plus de 22 300 articles terminologiques en anglais et en
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues.
français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans 19 langues
Disponible en ligne et une fois par mois par email.
additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire

Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc

Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
sales@iec.ch.
IEC 63296-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2023-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Portable multimedia equipment – Determination of battery duration –

Part 2: Headphones and earphones with active noise-cancelling functions

Matériel multimédia portable – Détermination de la durée des batteries –

Partie 2: Casques et écouteurs avec fonctions de réduction de bruit active

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.160.50  ISBN 978-2-8322-7956-4

– 2 – IEC 63296-2:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Measuring method of battery duration . 8
4.1 General . 8
4.2 Test signal . 8
4.3 Ambient noise signal . 8
4.4 Standard conditions for measurement . 9
4.4.1 General conditions for measurement . 9
4.4.2 Test site . 9
4.5 Test equipment . 9
4.6 Preparation of headphones . 9
4.6.1 Battery to be measured . 9
4.6.2 Input setting. 9
4.7 Test procedure for measurement of battery duration . 10
4.7.1 Adjustment of test signal level . 10
4.7.2 Adjustment of loudness of ambient noise signal . 10
4.7.3 Measurement of battery duration . 10
5 Characteristics to be specified . 10
Annex A (informative) Verification procedure . 11
A.1 General . 11
A.2 Verification procedure . 11
Bibliography . 12

Figure 1 – Example of a battery duration measurement system . 9
Figure A.1 – Flowchart, verification procedure . 11

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PORTABLE MULTIMEDIA EQUIPMENT –
DETERMINATION OF BATTERY DURATION –

Part 2: Headphones and earphones with
active noise-cancelling functions

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 63296-2 has been prepared by technical area 19: Environmental and energy aspects for
multimedia systems and equipment, of IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and
multimedia systems and equipment. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
100/4049/FDIS 100/4080/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
– 4 – IEC 63296-2:2023 © IEC 2023
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 63296 series, published under the general title Portable multimedia
equipment – Determination of battery duration, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
INTRODUCTION
This document specifies a measurement method for battery duration on active acoustic noise-
cancelling headphones and earphones. Active acoustic noise-cancelling headphones and
earphones are commonly used to reduce the ambient acoustic noise to which the ear is exposed.
However, there is no International Standard for a battery duration measurement method of
active acoustic noise-cancelling headphones and earphones. Until now, each company has
evaluated the performance using its own method, and the evaluation values are not uniform.
This document for the measurement of the battery duration and the notation of measured value
allows the comparison of performance data obtained in different locations.
The IEC 63296 series currently consists of the following parts:
– Part 1: Powered loudspeaker equipment
– Part 2: Headphones and earphones with active noise-cancelling functions

– 6 – IEC 63296-2:2023 © IEC 2023
PORTABLE MULTIMEDIA EQUIPMENT –
DETERMINATION OF BATTERY DURATION –

Part 2: Headphones and earphones with
active noise-cancelling functions

1 Scope
This document is applicable to active acoustic noise-cancelling headphones and earphones
that have the function of reducing the ambient noise heard by the user by the level of the output
sound from the transducer, which is generated by the ambient noise detection microphone and
the noise reduction signal processing circuit.
This document covers headphones and earphones to be worn over-the-ear or in-ear, all of which
are referred to as "headphones" in this document.
This document specifies the terms and definitions relating to battery duration of this type of
headphones and the measurement and evaluation methods.
The noise detection microphones are mounted in the body, on the surface, or on an accessory
of the headphones. Signal-processing circuits are analogue and digital electronic circuits.
This document does not deal with equipment intended for hearing protection. It is also not
applicable to music players, recorders, etc. that have a noise-cancelling function.
The battery duration measurement methods can be applied to headphones having no active
noise-cancelling function.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60268-1, Sound system equipment – Part 1: General
IEC 60268-7:2010, Sound system equipment – Part 7: Headphones and earphones
IEC 60268-24:2023, Sound system equipment – Part 24: Headphones and earphones – Active
acoustic noise cancelling characteristics
IEC 60318-4, Electroacoustics – Simulators of human head and ear – Part 4: Occluded-ear
simulator for the measurement of earphones coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts
IEC 60318-7, Electroacoustics – Simulators of human head and ear – Part 7: Head and torso
simulator for the measurement of sound sources close to the ear

3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions including those of
IEC 60268-7, IEC 60318-4, IEC 60318-7 and IEC 60268-24 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
earphone
electroacoustic transducer by which acoustic oscillations are obtained from electric signals and
intended to be closely coupled acoustically to the ear
Note 1 to entry: For the purposes of the normative part of this document, the term "headphones" comprises the
concept of earphones.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-801:1994, 801-27-18, modified – Note to entry added.]
3.2
headphone
assembly of one or two earphones on a headband or chinband
Note 1 to entry: The earphone can be worn either over-the-ear (circum-aural, supra-aural or supra-concha) or in-
ear (intra-concha, insert and insert with sound tube).
Note 2 to entry: The use of a headband or chinband can be optional with intra-concha earphones
Note 3 to entry: The audio signals can be provided either wireless or via cable.
Note 4 to entry: For the purposes of the normative part of this document, the term "headphones" comprises the
concept of earphones.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-801:1994, 801-27-20, modified – Notes 1 to 4 to entry have been added;
"or chinband" added to the definition.]
3.3
ANC
active noise-cancellation
characteristic that reduces the ambient noise level in the user’s ear canal by the level of the
sound output of the transducer, which is generated by the noise detection microphone and the
signal processing circuit
3.4
pink noise
noise whose power spectral density is inversely proportional to frequency
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-801:1994, 801-21-11]
3.5
HATS
head and torso simulator
simulator of a median adult human head and part of the torso, extending in total from the top of
the head to the waist, and designed to simulate the sound pick-up characteristics and acoustic
diffraction
– 8 – IEC 63296-2:2023 © IEC 2023
3.6
ATF
acoustic test fixture
inanimate device that approximates certain physical characteristics and dimensions of a
representative human head, pinnae, and ear canal and is used for measuring the insertion loss
of ambient noise by a headphone
[SOURCE: ANSI/ASA S12.42, modified – In the definition, "of a hearing protection device" has
been replaced with "of ambient noise by a headphone".]
3.7
input terminal
terminal for audio signal input
3.8
receiver
device for detecting radio-frequency radiation and extracting certain characteristics
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-713:1998, 713-10-02]
3.9
operating time
duration for which the headphone is in an operating state until the sound is interrupted, or
abnormal operation is performed
Note 1 to entry: The state where the sound is interrupted is a state where the sound output from the speaker is
stopped and does not include a state where the sound is distorted, or the sound pressure is low.
Note 2 to entry: An example of abnormal operation includes when the ANC stops working.
4 Measuring method of battery duration
4.1 General
The battery duration on the noise-cancelling headphones and earphones to be worn over-the-
ear or in-ear (hereafter "headphones") is specified by measuring the operating time.
4.2 Test signal
The programme simulation noise specified in IEC 60268-1 is used as a signal equivalent to a
music playback signal. The crest factor of the programme simulation noise shall be ranged
between 1,8 and 2,2.
4.3 Ambient noise signal
One of the following three simulated ambient noises specified in IEC 60268-24:2023, 4.2.2:
a) simulated aircraft cabin noise;
b) simulated train compartment noise;
c) simulated cafeteria noise;
or the pink noise shall be used. It is recommended to select the ambient noise according to the
assumed use case.
4.4 Standard conditions for measurement
4.4.1 General conditions for measurement
a) Temperature of 15 to 35 °C, preferably at 20 °C
b) Relative humidity of 25 to 75 %
c) Atmospheric pressure of 86 to 106 kPa
If the ambient conditions are outside these ranges, this shall be stated, and the actual conditions
shall be specified (see IEC 60068-1:2013, 4.3).
4.4.2 Test site
Test site is specified in IEC 60268-24:2023, 4.3.1. An example of a battery duration
measurement system is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Example of a battery duration measurement system
4.5 Test equipment
Play back equipment for ambient noise signals, HATS or ATF and analysis equipment are
specified in IEC 60268-24:2023, 4.4.
4.6 Preparation of headphones
4.6.1 Battery to be measured
Primary batteries shall be unused with the standard capacity of the type specified by the
manufacturer. Secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) shall be those attached to the
equipment or activated with a standard capacity of the type specified by the manufacturer (e.g.
in the instruction manual). It shall be fully charged in accordance with the instruction manual of
the equipment.
4.6.2 Input setting
For ANC headphones with an analogue wired connection, connect the cable to the input terminal
and measure the battery duration as described in 4.7. Digital wired connections are not covered
by this document. For ANC headphones providing a wireless connection, connect it to the
receiver and measure as described in 4.7.
The battery duration of ANC headphones that support both analogue wired and wireless input
shall be measured and documented in both conditions.

– 10 – IEC 63296-2:2023 © IEC 2023
4.7 Test procedure for measurement of battery duration
4.7.1 Adjustment of test signal level
In the case of wired ANC headphones, input the test signal to the music signal input terminal
of the ANC headphones. The input voltage shall be the voltage equivalent to 80 ± 2 dBA (ref
20 μPa) in the A-weighted, diffuse sound field corrected sound pressure level at the HATS or
ATF.
In the case of wireless ANC headphones, input the test signal to the receiver of the ANC
headphones. The input volume setting shall be the volume equivalent to 80 ± 2 dBA (ref 20 μPa)
in the A-weighted, diffuse sound field corrected sound pressure level at the HATS or ATF.
Measurements methods with a crest factor of 1,8 to 2,2 are specified in IEC 60268-7.
4.7.2 Adjustment of loudness of ambient noise signal
Using the test site and the test equipment, adjust the gain of the power amplifier so that the
loudness of ambient noise at the HATS or ATF installation point is 40 ± 2 sone, when the
simulated aircraft cabin noise, the simulated train compartment noise or the pink noise is used.
The gain of the power amplifier is adjusted so that the loudness at the HATS or ATF installation
point is 34 ± 2 sone, when the simulated cafeteria noise is used. The loudness levels specified
for the ambient noise signals were selected to be representative for typical real-world situations.
In consequence, only test results using the same ambient noise signal shall be compared.
The detailed test procedure for measurement of noise suppression loudness is specified in
IEC 60268-24:2023, 4.6.
4.7.3 Measurement of battery duration
Battery duration shall be measured with headphones attached to the HATS or the ATF. During
the measurement, the test signal shall be applied to the headphone and the ANC function is
turned on. The HATS or the ATF is installed in the adjusted sound field where the ambient noise
signal is reproduced, and the ANC headphones are attached to the HATS or the ATF.
Continuing to apply the ambient noise signal and the test signal, the operating time shall be
measured as battery duration.
The operating time is specified as the time until the sound is interrupted, or abnormal operation
occurs. The state where the sound is interrupted is a state where the sound output from the
speaker is stopped and does not include a state where the sound is distorted, or the sound
pressure is low. As an example, abnormal operation includes if the ANC stops working.
NOTE Annex A provides additional information regarding the verification procedure.
5 Characteristics to be specified
The following items shall be specified as the battery duration of ANC headphones in a product
datasheet, specification, or any similar user communication:
• the measured battery duration in 15 min steps up to 4 h; in 30 min steps for battery duration
of over 4 h,
• the type of ambient noise signal used for measurement,
• the type of battery used in the case of user-exchangeable batteries,
• the type of connection used for the input signal to the headphones.
In cases where ANC headphones support both analogue wired and wireless input and only one
battery duration value is to be specified, then the shorter value shall be reported.

Annex A
(informative)
Verification procedure
A.1 General
Assesses compliance of a specific model of equipment with the declared value.
A.2 Verification procedure
To assess compliance of a specific model of equipment with the declared value, the verification
procedure of Figure A.1 can be used.

Figure A.1 – Flowchart, verification procedure
The verification procedure is a two-step approach: the measured value of one unit of equipment
should not exceed the declared value by x %. If it does, N extra units of equipment are measured
and the average value of the
...