IEC 60268-24:2023

Overview

IEC 60268-24:2023 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that addresses active acoustic noise cancelling (ANC) headphones and earphones. This standard provides a comprehensive framework for defining terms, specifying characteristics, and establishing measurement and evaluation methods for ANC devices. Focused on headphones and earphones equipped with noise reduction signal processing circuits and environment noise detection microphones, IEC 60268-24:2023 ensures uniform testing and performance comparison across different products and manufacturers.

Unlike standards related to hearing protection equipment, this standard specifically targets consumer and professional audio devices designed to actively reduce ambient noise through sound wave cancellation technology.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  IEC 60268-24:2023 applies to headphones and earphones featuring active noise cancelling capabilities. It outlines the specifications for devices that reduce ambient noise by employing microphones and signal processing circuits, which can be analog or digital. The standard also allows application of its noise cancelling measurement methods to devices without active noise cancelling functions to assess their passive noise reduction characteristics.

• Terms and Definitions
  The standard defines key terminology related to ANC headphones and earphones, establishing a common language for manufacturers, testers, and regulatory bodies.

• Measurement and Evaluation Methods
  Standardized procedures are detailed for measuring ANC performance, including:

  • Noise suppression levels
  • Noise suppression loudness
  • Use of pink noise and simulated ambient noises (e.g., aircraft cabin, train compartment, cafeteria) for testing
  • Test conditions such as environmental settings, background noise limits, test sites, and equipment calibration

• Test Equipment and Signals
  The document specifies requirements for playback systems, acoustic measurement tools, and analysis equipment vital for accurate ANC testing.

• Reporting Guidelines
  It provides instructions on how to systematically report test results, including parameters like insertion loss and noise suppression ratio, enabling clear, consistent product comparisons.

Applications

IEC 60268-24:2023 plays a critical role in:

• Product Development
  Manufacturers can design and refine ANC headphones and earphones using standardized performance benchmarks to enhance noise cancelling effectiveness.

• Quality Assurance
  Companies can verify product performance and compliance with international noise cancelling standards, ensuring reliability and consistency.

• Consumer Information
  By using common evaluation metrics defined by this standard, manufacturers provide consumers and professionals with comparable product data, empowering informed purchasing decisions.

• Research and Innovation
  Standardized testing methods aid researchers in developing new ANC technologies and signal processing techniques that meet universally accepted criteria.

• Regulatory and Certification Processes
  Industry bodies and certification agencies leverage IEC 60268-24 methodologies to assess and validate noise cancelling claims, contributing to market fairness and product safety.

Related Standards

IEC 60268-24:2023 is part of the broader IEC 60268 series focused on sound system equipment, specifically:

• IEC 60268-7 - Headphones and earphones basic performance specifications
• Other parts in IEC 60268 series covering various audio system equipment and measurement techniques

This standard complements existing IEC standards by extending focus to active noise cancelling features, thereby enhancing the rigor and applicability of headphone and earphone performance assessment.

By adhering to IEC 60268-24:2023, stakeholders in the audio technology industry can ensure accurate, reproducible, and internationally recognized evaluations of active acoustic noise cancelling headphones and earphones, fostering improved user experience and innovation in sound system equipment.