EN 50332-1:2013

Sound system equipment: Headphones and earphones associated with personal music players - Maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology - Part 1: General method for "one package equipment"

The scope of this European Standard is to set up a suitable measuring methodology allowing accurate measurement of the maximum sound pressure level produced by consumer's headphones and earphones when associated with personal music players. NOTE This standard does not apply to acoustically open or acoustically closed headphones associated with mains operated Hi-Fi home equipement nor does it apply to headphones for medical purposes (hard of hearing etc.) or to headphones or similar parts being part of active hearing protection systems. Other requirements for safety, e.g. for noise protection in offices and industry are not affected by this standard. Requested features:  The method should be reproducible and easily applicable to every type and shape of headphone or earphone available on the market (good mechanical adaptability).  As safety and health are addressed, the method should faithfully reflect the pressure level effective at the user's ear (good correlation with subjective tests) to support protection against excessive sound pressure from personal music players (the limits themselves are found in EN 60950-1:2006/A12:2011 and EN 60065:2002/A12:2011 respectively).  And finally, it is desirable to establish a global measuring procedure, including each component in the chain: Portable set + specific test signal + associated headphone or earphone. The standard is split into two parts:  Part 1 deals with sets provided as a package equipment by the manufacturer. In this case, "Personal music players" means the association of one set (compact cassette player, FM radio receiver, digital media player, streaming audio player…) with supplied headphones or earphones.  Part 2 gives guidelines to associate portable audio sets (FM radio receiver, digital media player, streaming audio player…) with headphones or earphones provided separately by any source. And the package sets with standardised connectors between the two allowing to combine components of different manufacturers or different design.

Elektroakustische Geräte: Kopfhörer und Ohrhörer in Verbindung mit tragbaren Audiogeräten - Verfahren zur Messung des maximalen Schalldruckpegels - Teil 1: Allgemeines Verfahren für "Original-Geräte-Sets"

Equipement de systèmes acoustiques: Casques et écouteurs associés avec un baladeur - Méthode de mesure de niveau maximal de pression acoustique - Partie 1: Méthode générale pour "un équipement complet"

Elektroakustične naprave: Naglavne in ušesne slušalke s pripadajočimi osebnimi glasbenimi predvajalniki - Metodologija za merjenje ravni največjega zvočnega tlaka - 1. del: Splošna metoda za "en komplet"

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 24-Oct-2013
• ICS: 17.140.50 - Electroacoustics
• ICS: 33.160.50 - Accessories
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 108X - Safety of electronic equipment within the fields of Audio/Video, Information Technology and Communication Technology
• Drafting Committee: CLC/TC 108X - Safety of electronic equipment within the fields of Audio/Video, Information Technology and Communication Technology
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 09-Mar-2022
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 50332-1:2014 - Sound system equipment: Headphones and earphones associated with personal music players - Maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology - Part 1: General method for "one package equipment"

Relations

• Replaces: EN 50332-1:2000 - Sound system equipment: Headphones and earphones associated with portable audio equipment - Maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology and limit considerations - Part 1: General method for "one package equipment"
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 50332-1:2013 is a European standard developed by CLC that specifies a maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology for headphones and earphones associated with personal music players. It focuses on defining a reproducible and reliable method to accurately measure the maximum sound pressure level produced by consumer headphones supplied as a package with personal music players (referred to as "one package equipment"). The standard aims to promote user safety by helping ensure that headphone output levels do not exceed thresholds that could cause hearing damage.

This standard excludes headphones associated with mains-operated Hi-Fi home equipment, medical hearing devices, and active hearing protection systems. The methodology reflects the sound pressure level at the user’s ear to support protection against excessive sound exposure from personal music players and aligns with related safety standards such as EN 60950-1 and EN 60065.

Key Points

• Scope: Applies to headphones and earphones supplied as a package with portable personal music players such as compact cassette players, FM radios, digital media players, and streaming audio players.
• Measurement approach: Uses objective, reproducible test methods employing a Head and Torso Simulator (HATS) with an occluded-ear simulator to replicate human ear acoustic properties.
• Test signal: Utilizes a program simulation noise covering the audio frequency band with representative spectral content and specific crest factor, enabling consistent and accurate measurement.
• Sound pressure metrics: Results are given as A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure levels (L_Aeq), adjusted for either free field or diffuse field acoustic conditions to best represent exposure at the eardrum.
• Test protocol: Defines headphone fitting on the manikin, operating conditions, and measurement techniques including third octave band analysis and application of correction factors.
• Safety focus: Facilitates evaluation of maximum sound levels from consumer audio equipment to help prevent hearing damage caused by excessive volume.

Applications

EN 50332-1:2013 serves manufacturers, test laboratories, regulatory bodies, and product designers in:

• Product testing and certification of headphones and earphones bundled with personal music players to confirm compliance with maximum sound output limits.
• Design optimization ensuring headphone output sound pressure levels remain within safe exposure limits defined by health and safety legislation.
• Consumer safety assurance by providing a harmonized method that supports claims of hearing protection compliance for portable audio devices.
• Quality control in production environments monitoring sound pressure output consistency across product batches.
• Research and development focused on headphone acoustic performance and hearing safety assessment.

Related Standards

• EN 50332-2:2013 – Covers maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology for headphones and earphones offered separately or combined with personal music players using standardized connectors.
• EN 60950-1:2006/A12:2011 – Safety requirements for information technology equipment, including limits on sound pressure exposure.
• EN 60065:2002/A12:2011 – Safety requirements for audio, video, and similar electronic apparatus, including sound level limits.
• IEC 60318-4 and IEC 60318-7 – Define occluded-ear and head and torso simulators used for objective acoustic measurements.
• HD 483.1 S2 – Specifies the program simulation noise test signal used for sound system equipment testing.
• EN 60268-7 – Covers headphones and earphones, including subjective and objective test methods for sound level evaluation.

Summary

EN 50332-1:2013 delivers a critical, standardized measurement method for assessing the maximum sound pressure level emitted by headphones and earphones packaged with personal music players. This standard enhances user safety by guiding manufacturers and testing organizations in performing accurate, reproducible measurements that correlate well with user experience. By encompassing the entire playback chain from device, test signals, to ear simulators, it enables global harmonization of sound level testing protocols, ensuring safer consumer audio products in the market.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2014
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 50332-1:2001
(OHNWURDNXVWLþQHQDSUDYH1DJODYQHLQXãHVQHVOXãDONHVSULSDGDMRþLPLRVHEQLPL
JODVEHQLPLSUHGYDMDOQLNL0HWRGRORJLMD]DPHUMHQMHUDYQLQDMYHþMHJD]YRþQHJD
WODNDGHO6SORãQDPHWRGD]DHQNRPSOHW
Sound system equipment: Headphones and earphones associated with personal music
players - Maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology - Part 1: General
method for "one package equipment"
Elektroakustische Geräte: Kopfhörer und Ohrhörer in Verbindung mit tragbaren
Audiogeräten - Verfahren zur Messung des maximalen Schalldruckpegels -- Teil 1:
Allgemeines Verfahren für "Original-Geräte-Sets"
Equipement de systèmes acoustiques: Casques et écouteurs associés avec un baladeur
- Méthode de mesure de niveau maximal de pression acoustique -- Partie 1: Méthode
générale pour "un équipement complet"
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50332-1:2013
ICS:
17.140.50 Elektroakustika Electroacoustics
33.160.50 Pribor Accessories
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50332-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2013
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 17.140.50; 33.160.50 Supersedes EN 50332-1:2000

English version
Sound system equipment: Headphones and earphones associated with
personal music players -
Maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology -
Part 1: General method for "one package equipment"

Equipement de systèmes acoustiques: Elektroakustische Geräte: Kopfhörer und
Casques et écouteurs associés avec un Ohrhörer in Verbindung mit tragbaren
baladeur - Audiogeräten -
Méthode de mesure de niveau maximal Verfahren zur Messung des maximalen
de pression acoustique - Schalldruckpegels -
Partie 1: Méthode générale pour "un Teil 1: Allgemeines Verfahren für
équipement complet" "Original-Geräte-Sets"

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2013-09-23. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2013 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50332-1:2013 E
Contents Page
Foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Measuring principle . 5
4.1 General description . 5
4.2 Measuring principle . 6
5 Test signal . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Test signal level for analogue recorders . 7
5.3 Test signal level for FM radio . 7
5.4 Test signal level for digital music players . 7
6 Measuring arrangement and test protocol . 7
6.1 General . 7
6.2 Headphone fit . 8
6.3 Operating conditions . 8
6.4 Measurements and evaluation . 9
Bibliography . 10

- 3 - EN 50332-1:2013
Foreword
This document (EN 50332-1:2013) has been prepared by CLC/TC 108X, "Safety of electronic
equipment within the fields of Audio/Video, Information Technology and Communication Technology".
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be
(dop) 2014-09-23
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards
(dow) 2016-09-23
conflicting with this document have to
be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50332-1:2000.
EN 50332-1:2000:
- deletion of limits;
- addition of digital signals;
- adaptations to use the term "personal music players".
EN 50332, Sound system equipment: Headphones and earphones associated with personal music
players  Maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology, is composed with the following
parts:
− Part 1: General method for "one package equipment";
− Part 2: Matching of sets with headphones if either or both are offered separately, or are offered as
one package equipment but with standardised connectors between the two allowing to combine
components of different manufacturers or different design.
__________
1 Scope
The scope of this European Standard is to set up a suitable measuring methodology allowing accurate
measurement of the maximum sound pressure level produced by consumer's headphones and
earphones when associated with personal music players.
NOTE This standard does not apply to acoustically open or acoustically closed headphones associated with mains operated
Hi-Fi home equipement nor does it apply to headphones for medical purposes (hard of hearing etc.) or to headphones or similar
parts being part of active hearing protection systems. Other requirements for safety, e.g. for noise protection in offices and
industry are not affected by this standard.
Requested features:
− The method should be reproducible and easily applicable to every type and shape of headphone
or earphone available on the market (good mechanical adaptability).
− As safety and health are addressed, the method should faithfully reflect the pressure level effective
at the user's ear (good correlation with subjective tests) to support protection against excessive
sound pressure from personal music players (the limits themselves are found in
EN 60950-1:2006/A12:2011 and EN 60065:2002/A12:2011 respectively).
− And finally, it is desirable to establish a global measuring procedure, including each component in
the chain:
Portable set
+ specific test signal
+ associated headphone or earphone.
The standard is split into two parts:
− Part 1 deals with sets provided as a package equipment by the manufacturer. In this case,
"Personal music players" means the association of one set (compact cassette player, FM radio
receiver, digital media player, streaming audio player…) with supplied headphones or earphones.
− Part 2 gives guidelines to associate portable audio sets (FM radio receiver, digital media player,
streaming audio player…) with headphones or earphones provided separately by any source. And
the package sets with standardised connectors or interfaces between the two allowing to combine
components of different manufacturers or different design.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
HD 483.1 S2, Sound system equipment  Part 1: General (IEC 60268-1)
EN 50332-2:2013, Sound system equipment: Headphones and earphones associated with personal
music players  Maximum sound pressure level measurement methodology  Part 2: Matching of
sets with headphones if either or both are offered separately, or are offered as one package
equipment but with standardised connectors between the two allowing to combine components of
different manufacturers or different design
EN 60094-7, Magnetic tape sound recording and reproducing systems  Part 7: Cassette for
commercial tape records and domestic use (IEC 60094-7)
EN 60268-7, Sound system equipment  Part 7: Headphones and earphones (IEC 60268-7)
EN 60315-4, Methods of measurement on radio receivers of various classes of emission  Part 4:
Receivers for frequency-modulated sound broadcasting emissions (IEC 60315-4)

- 5 - EN 50332-1:2013
EN 60318-4, Electroacoustics  Simulators of human head and ear  Part 4: Occluded-ear simulator
for the measurement of earphones coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts (IEC 60318-4)
EN 61260, Elecroacoustics  Octave-band and fractional-octave-band filters (IEC 61260)
 Sound level meters  Part 1: Specifications (IEC 61672-1)
EN 61672-1, Electoacoustics
IEC 60318-7, Electroacoustics  Simulators of human head and ear  Part 7: Head and torso
simulator for acoustic measurement of hearing aids
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level
L
Aeq,T
equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (L ) defined in EN 61672-1 as follows:
Aeq,T
t
 
 
 
2 2
 
( )
L = 10lg p t dt p dBA
 
Aeq,T ∫ A 0
 
T
  
t
 
where
L is the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level re 20 µPa, determined
Aeq,T
over a time integration interval T = t – t ;
2 1
p (t) is the instantaneous A-weighted sound pressure of the sound signal;

A
p is the reference sound pressure of 20 µPa
4 Measuring principle
4.1 General description
The free field frequency response of a head and torso simulator is defined as follows:
The difference, as a function of frequency, between the sound pressure level at the ear simulator
microphone with the reference point of the manikin at the test point and the sound pressure level at
the test point with the manikin absent from a sound source at the 0 degree azimuth and 0 degree
elevation angles.
The diffuse field frequency respons
...