IEC 60268-5:2003+AMD1:2007 CSV

IEC 60268-5 ®
Edition 3.1 2007-09
CONSOLIDATED
VERSION
VERSION
CONSOLIDÉE
colour
inside
Sound system equipment –
Part 5: Loudspeakers
Equipements pour systèmes électroacoustiques –
Partie 5: Haut-parleurs
IEC 60268-5:2003+A1:2007
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IEC 60268-5 ®
Edition 3.1 2007-09
CONSOLIDATED
VERSION
VERSION
CONSOLIDÉE
colour
inside
Sound system equipment –
Part 5: Loudspeakers
Equipements pour systèmes électroacoustiques –

Partie 5: Haut-parleurs
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.160.50 ISBN 2-8318-9286-4

IEC 60268-5 ®
Edition 3.1 2007-09
REDLINE VERSION
VERSION REDLINE
colour
inside
Sound system equipment –
Part 5: Loudspeakers
Equipements pour systèmes électroacoustiques –
Partie 5: Haut-parleurs
IEC 60268-5:2003+A1:2007
– 2 – 60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Conditions for measurement . 8
3.1 General conditions . 8
3.2 Measuring conditions . 8
4 Test signals . 9
4.1 General . 9
4.2 Sinusoidal signal . 9
4.3 Broadband noise signal . 9
4.4 Narrow-band noise signal . 9
4.5 Impulsive signal . 9
5 Acoustical environment . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Free-field conditions . 9
5.3 Half-space free-field conditions . 10
5.4 Diffuse sound field conditions . 10
5.5 Simulated free-field conditions . 10
5.6 Half-space simulated free-field conditions . 10
6 Unwanted acoustical and electrical noise . 10
7 Positioning of loudspeaker and measuring microphone . 11
7.1 Measuring distance under free-field and half-space free-field conditions . 11
7.2 Positioning of loudspeaker in diffuse field conditions . 11
7.3 Positioning of loudspeaker and microphone in simulated free-field
conditions . 11
8 Measuring equipment . 12
9 Accuracy of the acoustical measurement . 12
10 Mounting of loudspeakers . 12
10.1 Mounting and acoustic loading of drive units . 12
10.2 Mounting and acoustic loading of a loudspeaker system . 12
11 Standard baffle and measuring enclosures . 13
11.1 Standard baffle . 13
11.2 Standard measuring enclosures . 13
12 Preconditioning. 14
13 Type description . 14
13.1 General . 14
13.2 Loudspeaker drive units . 14
13.3 Loudspeaker system . 14
14 Marking of terminals and controls . 14
14.1 General . 14
14.2 Positive terminal . 14
15 Reference plane, reference point and reference axis . 15
15.1 Reference plane – characteristic to be specified . 15
15.2 Reference point – characteristic to be specified . 15
15.3 Reference axis – characteristic to be specified . 15

60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007 – 3 –
16 Impedance and derivative characteristics . 15
16.1 Rated impedance – characteristic to be specified . 15
16.2 Impedance curve . 16
16.3 Total Q-factor (Q ) . 16
t
16.4 Equivalent air volume of a loudspeaker drive unit compliance (V ) . 17
as
17 Input voltage . 18
17.1 Rated noise voltage . 18
17.2 Short-term maximum input voltage . 19
17.3 Long-term maximum input voltage . 20
17.4 Rated sinusoidal voltage . 20
18 Input electrical power . 21
18.1 Rated noise power – characteristic to be specified . 21
18.2 Short-term maximum power – characteristic to be specified . 21
18.3 Long-term maximum power – characteristic to be specified . 21
18.4 Rated sinusoidal power – characteristic to be specified. 21
19 Frequency characteristics . 21
19.1 Rated frequency range – characteristic to be specified . 21
19.2 Resonance frequency . 21
19.3 Tuning frequency of a bass reflex or passive radiator loudspeaker system
– characteristic to be specified . 22
20 Sound pressure under free-field and half-space free-field conditions . 22
20.1 Sound pressure in a stated frequency band . 22
20.2 Sound pressure level in a stated frequency band – characteristic
to be specified . 22
20.3 Characteristic sensitivity in a stated frequency band . 23
20.4 Characteristic sensitivity level in a stated frequency band – characteristic
to be specified . 23
20.5 Mean sound pressure in a stated frequency band . 23
20.6 Mean sound pressure level in a stated frequency band –
characteristic to be specified . 23
21 Response under free-field and half-space free-field conditions . 23
21.1 Frequency response . 23
21.2 Effective frequency range . 24
21.3 Transfer function . 25
22 Output power (acoustic power) . 26
22.1 Acoustic power in a frequency band . 26
22.2 Mean acoustic power in a frequency band . 27
22.3 Efficiency in a frequency band . 27
22.4 Mean efficiency in a frequency band . 27
23 Directional characteristics . 28
23.1 Directional response pattern . 28
23.2 Radiation angle . 28
23.3 Directivity index . 29
23.4 Coverage angle or angles . 30
24 Amplitude non-linearity . 30
24.1 Total harmonic distortion . 30
th
24.2 Harmonic distortion of the n order (where n = 2 or n = 3) . 32
24.3 Characteristic harmonic distortion . 33
th
24.4 Modulation distortion of the n order (where n = 2 or n = 3) . 33

– 4 – 60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007
th
24.5 Characteristic modulation distortion of the n order (where n = 2 or n = 3) . 34
24.6 Difference frequency distortion (of the second order only) . 34
25 Rated ambient conditions . 35
25.1 Temperature ranges . 35
25.2 Humidity ranges . 35
26 Stray magnetic fields . 36
26.1 Static components . 36
26.2 Dynamic components . 36
27 Physical characteristics . 37
27.1 Dimensions . 37
27.2 Mass . 37
27.3 Cable assemblies . 37
28 Design data . 38
29 Indication of the characteristics to be specified . 38

Annex A (informative)  Standard measuring enclosure type A . 44
Annex B (informative)  Standard measuring enclosure type B . 46
Annex C (informative) Definitions of terms used in Clause 13 . 49
Annex D (informative) Listening tests . 51

Bibliography . 52

Figure 1 – Impedance curve of loudspeaker . 17
Figure 2 – Standard baffle, dimensions . 40
Figure 3 – Standard baffle with chamfer . 40
Figure 4 – Standard baffle with sub-baffle . 41
Figure 5 – Standard measuring enclosure type A . 41
Figure 6 – Standard measuring enclosure type B . 42
Figure 7 – Block diagram of test set-up . 42
Figure 8 – Measuring apparatus for stray magnetic field . 43
Figure A.1 – An example of standard measuring enclosure type A . 44
Figure A.2 – The correction curve for the diffraction effect of the standard measuring
enclosure from free-field to half-space free-field  . 45
Figure A.3 – The correction curve for the diffraction effect of a standard measuring
enclosure from free-field to half-space free-field . 45
Figure B.1 – An example of standard measuring enclosure type B . 46
Figure B.2 – Construction of scalable measuring enclosure type B . 47
Figure B.3 – The correction curve for the diffraction effect of the standard measuring
enclosure from free-field to half-space free-field . 48
Figure B.4 – The correction curve for the diffraction effect of the standard measuring
enclosure from free-field to half-space free-field . 48

Table 1 – Indication of the characteristics to be specified . 39
Table B.1 – Dimensions and ratios of scalable measuring enclosure type B . 47

60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SOUND SYSTEM EQUIPMENT –
Part 5: Loudspeakers
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
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patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This Consolidated version of IEC 60268-5 bears the edition number 3.1. It consists of
the third edition (2003) [documents 100/648/FDIS and 100/674/RVD] and its amendment
1 (2007) [documents 100/1189/CDV and 100/1245/RVC]. The technical content is
identical to the base edition and its amendment.
In this Redline version, a vertical line in the margin shows where the technical content
is modified by amendment 1. Additions and deletions are displayed in red, with
deletions being struck through. A separate Final version with all changes accepted is
available in this publication.
This publication has been prepared for user convenience.

– 6 – 60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007
International Standard IEC 60268-5 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 100:
Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment.
The bilingual version (2013-08) of this standard corresponds to the monolingual English
version, published in 2007-09.
This standard is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60268-1, IEC 60268-2 and ISO 3741.
The French versions of this standard and its amendment 1 have not been voted upon.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of the base publication and its amendments will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under
"http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the
publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007 – 7 –
SOUND SYSTEM EQUIPMENT –
Part 5: Loudspeakers
1 Scope
This standard applies to sound system loudspeakers, treated entirely as passive elements.
Loudspeakers with built-in amplifiers are excluded.
NOTE 1 The term “loudspeaker” used in this standard relates to loudspeaker drive units themselves and also to
loudspeaker systems, which comprise one or more loudspeaker drive units provided with a baffle, enclosure or
horn and such relevant devices as built-in crossover filters, transformers and any other passive element.
The purpose of this standard is to give the characteristics to be specified and the relevant
methods of measurement for loudspeakers using sinusoidal or specified noise or impulsive
signals.
NOTE 2 The methods of measurement given in this standard have been chosen for their appropriateness to the
characteristics.
NOTE 3 If equivalent results can be obtained using other methods of measurement, details of the methods used
should be presented with the results.
NOTE 4 The following items are under consideration:
– loudspeakers with built-in amplifiers;
– measurements under conditions other than free-field, half-space free-field and diffuse field;
– measurements with signals other than sinusoidal or noise or impulsive signals.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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 60050(151), International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 151: Electrical and
magnetic devices
IEC 60263, Scales and sizes for plotting frequency characteristics and polar diagrams
IEC 60268-1, Sound system equipment – Part 1: General
IEC 60268-2, Sound system equipment – Part 2: Explanation of general terms and calculation
methods
IEC 60268-3, Sound system equipment – Part 3: Amplifiers
IEC 60268-11, Sound system equipment – Part 11: Application of connectors for the
interconnection of sound system components
IEC 60268-12, Sound system equipment – Part 12: Application of connectors for broadcast
and similar use
IEC 60268-14, Part 14: Circular and elliptical loudspeakers; outer frame diameters and
mounting dimensions
IEC 60651, Sound level meters
– 8 – 60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007
IEC 61260, Electroacoustics – Octave-band and fractional-octave-band filters
ISO 3741, Acoustics – Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound
pressure – Precision methods for reverberation rooms
ISO 3744, Acoustics – Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound
pressure – Engineering method in an essentially free field over a reflecting plane
ISO 3745, Acoustics – Determination of sound power levels of noise sources – Precision
methods for anechoic and semi-anechoic rooms
3 Conditions for measurement
3.1 General conditions
This standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60268-1, IEC 60268-2 and ISO 3741.
3.2 Measuring conditions
3.2.1 General
For convenience in specifying how loudspeakers are to be set up for measurement, normal
measuring conditions are defined in this standard. To obtain the correct conditions for
measurement, some values (known as “rated conditions”) shall be taken from the
manufacturer's specification. These values themselves are not subject to measurement but
they constitute the basis for measuring the other characteristics.
The following values and conditions are of this type, and shall be stated by the manufacturer:
– rated impedance;
– rated sinusoidal voltage or power;
– rated noise voltage or power;
– rated frequency range;
– reference plane;
– reference point;
– reference axis.
NOTE A full explanation of the term “rated” is given in IEC 60268-2. See also term 151-04-03 in IEC 60050(151).
3.2.2 Normal measuring conditions
A loudspeaker shall be understood to be working under normal measuring conditions when all
the following conditions are fulfilled:
a) the loudspeaker to be measured is mounted in accordance with Clause 10;
b) the acoustical environment is specified and is selected from those specified in Clause 5;
c) the loudspeaker is positioned with respect to the measuring microphone and the walls in
accordance with Clause 7;
d) the loudspeaker is supplied with a specified test signal, in accordance with Clause 4, of
a stated voltage U, within the rated frequency range in accordance with 19.1. If required,
the input power P can be calculated from the equation: P = U /R, where R is the rated
impedance in accordance with 16.1;
e) attenuators, if any, are set to their “normal” position as stated by the manufacturer. If other
positions are chosen, for example those providing a maximally flat frequency response or
maximum attenuation, these shall be specified;

60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007 – 9 –
f) measuring equipment suitable for determining the wanted characteristics is connected in
accordance with Clause 8.
4 Test signals
4.1 General
Acoustical measurements shall be made under one of the following measuring signal
conditions, and the choice shall be indicated with the results.
4.2 Sinusoidal signal
The sinusoidal test signal shall not exceed the rated sinusoidal voltage (as defined in 17.4) at
any frequency. The voltage across the input terminals of the loudspeaker under test shall be
kept constant for all frequencies unless otherwise stated.
4.3 Broadband noise signal
NOTE This term is explained in IEC 60268-2.
The crest factor of a noise source should fall between 3 and 4 to avoid clipping of amplifiers.
A true r.m.s. voltmeter with a time constant at least as long as the “slow” constant of the
sound level meter, specified in IEC 60651, shall be used to measure the amplitude of
the signal.
4.4 Narrow-band noise signal
NOTE This term is explained in IEC 60268-2.
For measurement using narrow-band noise, constant relative bandwidth filters in accordance
with IEC 61260 shall be used with a pink-noise generator, the relative bandwidth being
usually 1/3 octave.
4.5 Impulsive signal
A short-duration pulse shall have constant spectral power per unit bandwidth over at least the
bandwidth of interest in the measurement. Such a signal has low energy content relative to its
peak amplitude.
NOTE To minimize the influence of acoustical and electrical noise on the measurement, the peak amplitude of the
pulse should be as high as possible within the capability of the driving amplifier and consistent with linear
operation of the loudspeaker.
5 Acoustical environment
5.1 General
Acoustical measurements shall be made under one of the acoustical field conditions specified
in 5.2 to 5.6, and the choice shall be indicated with the results.
5.2 Free-field conditions
If acoustical conditions approach those of free-field space, an environment (for example an
anechoic room) in which the sound pressure decreases with the distance (r) from a point
source according to a 1/r law, with an accuracy of ±10 %, in the region that will be occupied
by the sound field between the loudspeaker system and the microphone during the
measurements shall be used. The minimum conditions shall be deemed to exist if this
requirement is met along the axis joining the measuring microphone and the reference point
on the loudspeaker.
– 10 – 60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007
Free-field conditions shall exist over the whole frequency range of measurement.
5.3 Half-space free-field conditions
If acoustical conditions are used in which the free-field exists in a half space, these conditions
shall be met with a reflecting plane of sufficient size so that the sound pressure from a point
source mounted in the surface of that plane decreases in the manner specified in 5.2.
5.4 Diffuse sound field conditions
NOTE 1 These conditions are normally used for band noise measurements only.
If diffuse sound field conditions are used for measurements with 1/3 octave band limited noise,
as defined and specified in ISO 3741, the lower limiting frequency shall be determined as
specified in ISO 3741, Appendix A.
NOTE 2 While ISO 3741 provides details of measuring instruments, it should be clearly understood that both
space averaging and time averaging are required in loudspeaker power determination. This may be achieved as
stated in the standard or alternatively by using continuous space and time averaging techniques.
NOTE 3 The precision of the measurement depends on a number of factors including the room volume, the room
reverberation time, and the degree of diffusion.
NOTE 4 For measurement below 125 Hz, a room volume greater than 200 m is desirable.
5.5 Simulated free-field conditions
If acoustical conditions are used in which the simulated free-field conditions that are
equivalent to those of free space for the period of time required for a measurement, these
conditions shall be used.
The conditions shall be met in any environment (for example large, unobstructed rooms) in
which sound emitted by a loudspeaker in response to an impulsive signal reflected from any
surface or object in the environment does not reach the measuring microphone before
measurement of the direct path sound at the microphone has been completed.
Any such reflection reaching the microphone shall be excluded from the measurement by
gating or other means.
NOTE 1 These conditions are normally used only for measurements with impulsive signals.
NOTE 2 Under such conditions, successive measurements are separated by time intervals sufficient for the sound
pressure level due to reverberation within the space to decrease to a negligible value.
5.6 Half-space simulated free-field conditions
If acoustical conditions are used in which the simulated free-field exists in a half-space, these
conditions shall be used when a reflecting plane, forming one boundary of a simulated free-
field environment, is of sufficient size that no reflections from its edge reach the measuring
microphone within the measurement time.
NOTE 1 These conditions are normally used only for measurements with impulsive signals.
NOTE 2 Under such conditions, successive measurements are separated by time intervals sufficient for the sound
pressure level due to reverberation within the space to decrease to a negligible value.
6 Unwanted acoustical and electrical noise
Unwanted acoustical and electrical noise shall be kept at the lowest possible level as its
presence may obscure low-level signals.

60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007 – 11 –
Data related to signals which are less than 10 dB above the noise level in the frequency band
considered shall be discarded.
7 Positioning of loudspeaker and measuring microphone
7.1 Measuring distance under free-field and half-space free-field conditions
7.1.1 General
Measurements under free-field and half-space free-field conditions should ideally be carried
out in the far field of the loudspeaker, in order to obtain consistent results. However, in
practice, imperfections of the measuring environment room and the effects of background
noise set an upper limit to the distance that can be used. Therefore, the measuring distance
should be 0,5 m or an integral number of m, and that result should be referred to a standard
distance of 1 m.
7.1.2 Single drive unit loudspeaker
For this type of loudspeaker, a measuring distance of 1 m from the reference point shall be
used unless special conditions dictate another value, which shall be stated.
7.1.3 Multi-unit loudspeaker systems
Loudspeaker systems in which two or more loudspeaker units reproduce the same frequency
band create problems of acoustical interference at the measuring point due to the interaction
of the sounds radiated by the units. This situation exists whether all units operate over the
entire frequency band under test or whether some units operate over parts of this band (for
example cross-over regions). In such cases, the measuring distance should be chosen so as
to minimize the errors due to this phenomenon.
7.2 Positioning of loudspeaker in diffuse field conditions
The loudspeaker position and orientation with respect to the walls shall be described by
means of a diagram appended to the measurement results.
An arrangement for the simultaneous movement of the loudspeaker and the microphone is
permitted for the evaluation of the power delivered by the loudspeaker in accordance with the
method prescribed in 22.1.2.2. The microphone system and the nearest microphone position
shall meet the requirements of ISO 3741.
7.3 Positioning of loudspeaker and microphone
in simulated free-field conditions
The measuring distance shall be chosen with reference to 7.1 for free-field conditions.
The position of the loudspeaker and microphone within the measuring environment shall be
such so as to maximize the time available for measurement before the first unwanted
reflection reaches the microphone.
If the measurement space is an anechoic chamber, attention shall be paid to reflections from
wedge tips, personnel floor, and supports for the loudspeaker and microphone. Errors from
these sources shall not exceed 0,5 dB over the frequency range of measurement.
The microphone distance and the maximum signal capture time available in the environment
shall be stated.
It is necessary to ignore all the output of the microphone from the time of arrival of the first
reflection onwards. Truncation errors are therefore introduced into the transfer function
measurement unless the loudspeaker response to the impulsive test signal is negligible

– 12 – 60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007
during this time. If present, such truncation errors shall not exceed 1 dB over the frequency
range of measurement.
8 Measuring equipment
Measurements in free-field and half-space free-field conditions shall be made using a
pressure microphone having a known calibration. For measurements under diffuse-field
conditions, a pressure microphone shall be used having a directivity index less than 2 dB.
Both these requirements shall be met for all frequencies in the frequency range of interest.
The signal generator, the amplifier supplying the signal to the loudspeaker, and the measuring
equipment at the microphone amplifier shall have an amplitude frequency response known
and constant within ±0,5 dB in the relevant frequency range, with negligible amplitude non-
linearity under test conditions. All measuring instruments shall be of the r.m.s. type, having
a time constant long enough to ensure an error not greater than 1 dB.
NOTE It is recommended that the frequency response be measured by an automatic method giving a continuous
curve. Errors due to the chosen writing speeds (along both level and frequency axes) of the level recorder should
not exceed 0,5 dB. The writing speeds along both axes should be stated.
9 Accuracy of the acoustical measurement
The frequency range over which the total errors do not exceed ±2 dB shall be stated.
NOTE The probable error sources in both the instrumentation and the measuring environment should be identified
and quantified and their contribution specified. This information should be included with the test report.
10 Mounting of loudspeakers
10.1 Mounting and acoustic loading of drive units
The performance of a drive unit is determined by the properties of the unit itself and its
acoustic loading. The acoustic loading depends upon the mounting arrangement, which shall
be clearly described in the presentation of results.
One of the following three types of mounting shall be used:
a) a standard baffle, standard measuring enclosure (type A or type B), or specified
enclosure;
b) in free air without a baffle or enclosure;
c) in half-space free-field, flush with the reflecting plane.
NOTE Mounting condition a) approaches that of a half-space free-field down to a lower limiting frequency, the
value of which depends on the chosen measuring distance. Measurements made at frequencies below this limiting
value may be used for comparative purposes only.
10.2 Mounting and acoustic loading of a loudspeaker system
Loudspeaker systems are usually measured without any additional baffle. If the manufacturer
specifies a special type of mounting for the loudspeaker systems, this shall be used for the
measurement; the mounting method used shall be specified with the results.

60268-5  IEC:2003+A1:2007 – 13 –
11 Standard baffle and measuring enclosures
11.1 Standard baffle
The standard baffle shall be made with a plane front surface that is acoustically reflective.
The baffle shall have the dimensions shown in Figure 2.
NOTE The standard baffle should be of a material of thickness adequate to ensure negligible vibration. The edge
of the radiating element should be substantially flush with the front surface of the baffle. This may be achieved by
means of a chamfer as shown in Figure 3 or by the use of a thin rigid sub-baffle, with or without a chamfer, as
shown in Figure 4.
11.2 Standard measuring enclosures
11.2.1 General
One of the two types of standard measuring enclosures specified in 11.2.3 (type A) and
11.2.4 (type B) shall be used. The type choosen for testing shall be stated by the
manufacturer.
11.2.2 Conditions
The enclosure shall have plane or curved surfaces which have an acoustically reflective
characteristic.
NOTE 1 The material shall be appropriately thick so that the effect of vibrations can be disregarded for
measurement. If necessary, braces should be used for reinforcement between facing surfaces at and around their
centres so as to avoid panel vibrations.
NOTE 2 The enclosure should be airtight.
NOTE 3 The edge of the loudspeaker should be set on the same plane as that of the front part of the baffle.
NOTE 4 To remove standing waves that may otherwise occur in the en
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