Overview
IEC 63296-3:2025 defines a standardized method to measure battery duration (battery life) for continuous music playback of wearable powered loudspeaker equipment - devices worn near the ear or on the body (e.g., shoulder‑carried or neckband speakers). The standard covers battery‑operated devices using primary or secondary batteries that can be placed on or hung from a head and torso simulator (HATS). It excludes bone‑conduction speakers and devices whose main function is video playback.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope of measurement
- Battery duration measured at a defined reproduced sound pressure level (SPL) for continuous music playback.
- Only equipment compatible with placement on or hanging from a HATS is covered.
- Measurement environment and conditions
- Specified environmental ranges: air pressure 86–106 kPa, ambient temperature 15 °C–35 °C (preferably 20 °C), relative humidity 25 %–75 %.
- Acoustic conditions follow IEC audio measurement practice (free‑field or equivalent).
- Instrumentation and signal
- Use of 1/3‑octave analyzers, A‑characteristic (A‑weighting) filters, free‑field compensating filters and voltmeters as referenced.
- Input signals include specified test program signals and radio broadcast signals; digital interface connections per IEC 61938 and IEC 60958 series where applicable.
- Setup and procedures
- EUT placement and orientation on the HATS, adjustment of controls, and sequence of measurement steps are defined to ensure repeatability.
- Reproduced SPL is measured at the HATS and corrected by free‑field and A‑weighting filters to determine the test level.
- Output and declared characteristics
- The standard specifies which characteristics of battery duration and measurement conditions must be reported (examples and templates are provided in an informative annex).
Applications - who uses this standard
- Manufacturers and product designers: to design, validate and publish comparable battery life claims for wearable loudspeakers (neckbands, shoulder speakers).
- Test laboratories and QA teams: to perform repeatable, accredited battery duration testing for verification and quality control.
- Regulatory and certification bodies: to assess product compliance with international measurement practice.
- Product managers and marketers: to substantiate battery life specifications used in product datasheets and marketing materials.
- R&D and acoustical engineers: to compare designs and optimize power/efficiency for wearable audio devices.
Related standards
Keywords: IEC 63296-3:2025, wearable powered loudspeaker, battery duration, battery life measurement, HATS, sound pressure level, portable multimedia equipment.
Open preview (PDF)Portable multimedia equipment - Determination of battery duration - Part 3: Wearable powered loudspeaker equipment
