EN 60268-5:2003

Overview

EN 60268-5:2003 - Sound system equipment, Part 5: Loudspeakers (CLC adoption of IEC 60268-5:2003) specifies the characteristics to be declared for loudspeakers and the relevant methods of measurement. The standard covers measurement procedures using sinusoidal, specified noise, and impulsive signals to assess loudspeaker performance. It is the European adoption aligned with the IEC text and is used for consistent acoustic and electrical specification of loudspeaker products.

Key topics

• Declared characteristics - Defines which loudspeaker properties should be specified by manufacturers (acoustic and electrical characteristics).
• Measurement methods - Standardized procedures for measuring performance using sinusoidal tones, defined noise signals and impulse tests.
• Signal types - Procedures cover steady-state (sinusoidal), statistical (noise), and transient (impulsive) stimulus types to capture different performance aspects.
• Repeatability & comparability - Emphasis on consistent test conditions so results are comparable across laboratories and products.
• Test reporting - Guidance on how measured data and declared values should be documented for technical datasheets and product marking.

(Where appropriate: frequency-response, sensitivity, impedance, power-handling, distortion and directivity are commonly reported characteristics for loudspeakers and are covered by measurement-focused standards.)

Applications

EN 60268-5:2003 is practical for:

• Loudspeaker manufacturers - to specify declared performance and to verify product conformity.
• Test laboratories - to perform standardized acoustic and electrical measurements for quality control and certification.
• Audio system designers and integrators - to compare products using consistent measurement data when selecting drivers, enclosures or complete systems.
• Acoustical consultants and engineers - to validate loudspeaker behavior in designs and installations.
• Regulatory bodies and procurement - to define technical requirements and acceptance criteria based on standard measurements.

Using this standard improves product transparency, reduces ambiguity in datasheets, and supports accurate system design by providing repeatable, comparable loudspeaker measurements.

Related standards

• EN/IEC 60268 series (other parts addressing sound-system equipment topics such as general requirements, microphones, amplifiers, etc.) - consult the full 60268 series for complementary measurement and specification guidance.

Keywords: EN 60268-5:2003, loudspeaker measurement, sound system equipment, loudspeaker characteristics, acoustic measurement, IEC 60268-5, audio engineers.