IEC 63296-3-2025 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 63296-3:2025 — Portable multimedia equipment — Determination of battery duration — Part 3: Wearable powered loudspeaker equipment. This international standard specifies a repeatable method to measure battery duration at a defined sound pressure level for continuous music playback of battery-operated wearable powered loudspeaker equipment (shoulder‑carried or body‑worn), including requirements for test setup and reporting. Bone‑conduction speakers and equipment whose primary function is video playback are excluded.

Abstract

IEC 63296-3:2025 defines procedures to determine battery run-time for wearable powered loudspeaker equipment using a head and torso simulator (HATS) and a defined continuous music playback signal at a specified sound pressure level. The document covers devices powered by primary or secondary batteries, sets conditions for mounting and measurement, and establishes the reporting items needed to characterise battery duration under the specified test conditions. Exclusions include bone conduction speakers and portable loudspeakers intended primarily for video playback.

General information

• Status: Published — International Standard.
• Publication date: 28 October 2025.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.160.60; 27.015 (multimedia systems / energy efficiency).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2025).
• Number of pages: 26 pages.

Technical committee: TC 100 / TA 19 — Environmental and energy aspects for multimedia systems and equipment. Stability date indicated by publisher: 2028.

Scope

Specifies a standardised measurement method for battery duration of wearable powered loudspeaker equipment when reproducing continuous music at a defined sound pressure level. Applies to shoulder‑carried or body‑worn loudspeakers (and composite devices) that can be placed on or hung from a head and torso simulator (HATS). Covers devices powered by primary (non‑rechargeable) or secondary (rechargeable) batteries. Excludes bone conduction speakers and devices whose main function is video playback. The objective is to provide repeatable, comparable battery‑duration figures for manufacturers, test labs and regulators.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of terms and test conditions for battery‑duration measurement (continuous music playback at a defined sound pressure level).
• Specification of the test signal and sound pressure level to be used during run‑time measurement.
• Mounting and positioning requirements using a head and torso simulator (HATS) to represent wearable usage.
• Requirements for battery conditioning, allowed battery types (primary and secondary), and pre‑test procedures.
• Data to be recorded and reported (measured run‑time, test conditions, device configuration and measurement uncertainties).
• Exclusions and limitations (bone conduction devices; devices primarily for video playback).
• Alignment with environmental / energy efficiency assessment goals for portable multimedia equipment.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of wearable powered loudspeakers and composite portable audio products use this standard to measure and declare battery run‑time. Independent test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies apply it for verification and comparative testing. Product designers, procurement teams, regulatory authorities and energy‑efficiency programme administrators use the results to inform design choices, labelling and policy.

Related standards

IEC 63296 is a multipart series addressing battery‑duration measurement for portable multimedia equipment. Relevant parts include IEC 63296-1 (powered loudspeaker equipment) and IEC 63296-2 (headphones and earphones with active noise‑cancelling functions). These parts share measurement principles and were developed by the same technical committee (TC 100 / TA 19).

Keywords

portable multimedia equipment; battery duration; wearable loudspeaker; head and torso simulator (HATS); battery run‑time; energy efficiency; IEC 63296; wearable audio testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 63296-3:2025 is an international standard that defines a test method to measure battery duration of wearable powered loudspeaker equipment under defined acoustic and mounting conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement procedures for continuous music playback at a specified sound pressure level using a head and torso simulator (HATS), applicable to shoulder‑carried and body‑worn battery‑operated loudspeakers (primary or secondary battery). It excludes bone‑conduction speakers and devices whose main function is video playback.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Product manufacturers, test laboratories, conformity assessors, product designers, procurement teams and regulators who need repeatable, comparable battery‑duration data for wearable loudspeaker products.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 63296-3:2025 was published as Edition 1.0 on 28 October 2025 and is listed as a current international standard with a stability date indicated by the publisher of 2028.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 3 of the IEC 63296 series (portable multimedia equipment — determination of battery duration). Other parts include Part 1 (powered loudspeaker equipment) and Part 2 (headphones and earphones with active noise‑cancelling functions).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Portable multimedia, battery duration, wearable loudspeaker, HATS, run‑time measurement, energy efficiency, IEC 63296.