IEC 61606-2:2009

Overview

IEC 61606-2:2009 - "Audio and audiovisual equipment - Digital audio parts - Basic measurement methods of audio characteristics - Part 2: Consumer use" defines standardized measurement methods for the digital audio parts of consumer audio and audiovisual equipment. It specifies conditions, test signals and measurement procedures for evaluating audio characteristics of consumer devices. This part is intended to be read in conjunction with IEC 61606-1:2009 (General) and focuses on consumer-use equipment.

Key updates in the 2nd edition include revised preconditioning periods, the addition of an A‑weighting filter option in measuring instruments, correction of a reference number, and improved descriptive text.

Key Topics

The standard covers practical, repeatable measurement procedures grouped into two main signal paths:

• Digital-in / Analogue-out and Analogue-in / Digital-out methods

Specific measurement topics include:

• Input/output characteristics (maximum output, level calibration, gain difference)
• Frequency characteristics (frequency response, group delay / phase linearity)
• Noise characteristics (signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, out‑of‑band and folded noise)
• Distortion characteristics (THD, level non-linearity, intermodulation, distortion + noise)
• Channel behavior (channel separation, cross-talk, tracking error)
• Measuring instruments and conditions (environmental/power conditions, preconditioning, digital/analogue weighting filters, digital level meters, spectrum analyzers)

The published clauses and figures provide connection diagrams, test conditions and measurement processes to ensure consistent laboratory practice.

Practical Applications

IEC 61606-2 is used by:

• Consumer audio manufacturers for design verification and production testing of digital audio sections
• Test laboratories and QA teams for consistent, repeatable measurements and product comparison
• Compliance engineers preparing test reports and supporting product claims (frequency response, SNR, distortion)
• Acoustic and electrical engineers validating DSP chains, A/D and D/A converters and end‑user audio performance

Practical benefits include harmonized test set-ups, comparable results across labs, and clear procedures for assessing perceptual and measurable audio parameters relevant to consumer products.

Related Standards

• IEC 61606-1:2009 (General) - to be used together with Part 2 for common measuring conditions and definitions
• Other parts of the IEC 61606 series cover professional and broadcast equipment (see IEC catalogue for the full list)

Keywords: IEC 61606-2, digital audio parts, measurement methods, audio characteristics, consumer equipment, A-weighting, frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, distortion, dynamic range, channel separation.