SIST EN 60268-4:2014

Sound system equipment - Part 4: Microphones (IEC 60268-4:2014)

This part of IEC 60268 specifies methods of measurement for the electrical impedance,
sensitivity, directional response pattern, dynamic range and external influences of sound
system microphones, and also details the characteristics to be specified by the manufacturer.
It applies to sound system microphones for all applications for speech and music. It does not
apply to measurement microphones, but it does apply to each audio channel of microphones
having more than one channel, for example for stereo or similar use. It is also applicable to
flush-mounted microphones and to the analogue characteristics of microphones with digital
audio output.
For the purposes of this International Standard, a microphone includes all such devices as
transformers, pre-amplifiers, or other elements that form an integral part of the microphone,
up to the output terminals specified by the manufacturer.
The major characteristics of a microphone are considered in Clauses 6 to 21. Additional
characteristics are considered in Annex A, Annex C and Annex D.
NOTE The characteristics specified in this standard do not completely describe the subjective response of the
microphone. Further work is necessary to find new definitions and measurement procedures for a later replacement
by objective characteristics of at least some of the subjective descriptions used to describe microphone
performance

Elektroakustische Geräte - Teil 4: Mikrofone (IEC 60268-4:2014)

Equipements pour systèmes électroacoustiques - Partie 4: Microphones (CEI 60268-4:2014)

L'IEC 60268-4 :2014 spécifie les méthodes de mesure portant sur l'impédance électrique, l'efficacité, le diagramme de directivité, la dynamique, et les perturbations extérieures des microphones pour les systèmes électroacoustiques, et détaille également les caractéristiques à spécifier par le constructeur. Cette cinquième édition annule et remplace la quatrième édition parue en 2010. Elle constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications suivantes:
- clarification du Tableau 5 de classification des caractéristiques;
- clarification de la représentation graphique;
- clarification des influences de l'environnement;
- réécriture de l'article relatif à la CEM;
- tolérances et valeurs plus spécifiques pour les mesures de bruit;
- inclusion de la réponse en champ proche pour des distances source sonore-microphone de l'ordre de 30 cm.

Elektroakustične naprave - 4. del: Mikrofoni (IEC 60268-4:2014)

Ta del standarda IEC 60268 določa metode merjenja za električno impedanco, občutljivost, odzivni krmilni vzorec, dinamično območje in zunanje vplive elektroakustičnih mikrofonov ter hkrati določa značilnosti, ki jih opredeli proizvajalec. Velja za elektroakustične mikrofone za vse uporabe pri govoru in glasbi. Ne velja za merilne mikrofone, vendar pa velja za vsak avdio kanal mikrofonov, ki imajo več kot en kanal, na primer za stereo oziroma podobno uporabo. Velja tudi za vgrezne vgradne mikrofone in za analogne značilnosti mikrofonov z digitalnim avdio izhodom.
Za namene tega mednarodnega standarda mikrofon vključuje vse take naprave, kot so transformatorji, predojačevalniki ali drugi elementi, ki tvorijo sestavni del mikrofona, do izhodnih terminalov, ki jih določi proizvajalec. Glavne značilnosti mikrofona so obravnavane v točkah 6 do 21. Dodatne značilnosti so obravnavane v dodatkih A, C in D.
OPOMBA: Značilnosti, opredeljene v tem standardu, ne opisujejo v celoti subjektivnega odziva mikrofona. Vložiti je treba dodatni trud v iskanje novih definicij in postopkov merjenja za poznejše nadomestilo z objektivnimi značilnostmi vsaj nekaterih subjektivnih opisov, ki se uporabljajo za opisovanje delovanja mikrofona.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 12-Oct-2014
• Withdrawal Date: 03-Mar-2021
• ICS: 33.160.50 - Accessories
• Technical Committee: AVM - Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment
• Current Stage: 9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 03-Mar-2021
• Due Date: 26-Mar-2021
• Completion Date: 04-Mar-2021
• Ref Project: EN 60268-4:2014 - Sound system equipment - Part 4: Microphones

Relations

• Replaced By: SIST EN IEC 60268-4:2019 - Sound system equipment - Part 4: Microphones (IEC 60268-4:2018)
• Effective Date: 13-Nov-2018
• Replaced By: SIST EN IEC 60268-4:2019 - Sound system equipment - Part 4: Microphones (IEC 60268-4:2018)
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Replaces: SIST EN 60268-4:2010 - Sound system equipment - Part 4: Microphones (IEC 60268-4:2010)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 60268-4:2014
01-december-2014
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 60268-4:2010
(OHNWURDNXVWLþQHQDSUDYHGHO0LNURIRQL,(&
Sound system equipment - Part 4: Microphones (IEC 60268-4:2014)
Elektroakustische Geräte - Teil 4: Mikrofone (IEC 60268-4:2014)
Equipements pour systèmes électroacoustiques - Partie 4: Microphones (CEI 60268-
4:2014)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60268-4:2014
ICS:
33.160.50 Pribor Accessories
SIST EN 60268-4:2014 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014


EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60268-4

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
August 2014
ICS 33.160.50 Supersedes EN 60268-4:2010
English Version
Sound system equipment - Part 4: Microphones
(IEC 60268-4:2014)
Equipements pour systèmes électroacoustiques - Partie 4: Elektroakustische Geräte - Teil 4: Mikrofone
Microphones (IEC 60268-4:2014)
(CEI 60268-4:2014)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2014-07-24. 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.


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
© 2014 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
 Ref. No. EN 60268-4:2014 E

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
EN 60268-4:2014 - 2 -

Foreword
The text of document 100/2116/CDV, future edition 5 of IEC 60268-4, prepared by IEC/TC 100 "Audio,
video and multimedia systems and equipment" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and
approved by CENELEC as EN 60268-4:2014.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has (dop) 2015-04-24
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
(dow) 2017-07-24
• latest date by which the national
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn

This document supersedes EN 60268-4:2010.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60268-4:2014 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:

CISPR 22 NOTE Harmonized as EN 55022.
IEC 60065:2001 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60065:2002.
IEC 60065/A1:2005 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60065/A1:2006.
IEC 60065/A2:2010 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60065/A2:2010.
IEC 60958-4 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60958-4.
IEC 61000-3-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61000-3-2.
IEC 61000-3-3 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61000-3-3.
IEC 61606 (Series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 61606 (Series).
IEC 61672-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61672-1.

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
- 3 - EN 60268-4:2014
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
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.
NOTE 1 When an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD

applies.

NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60268-1 1985 Sound system equipment -- Part 1: General HD 483.1 S2 1989
+A1 1988  - -
+A2 1988  - -
IEC 60268-2 1987 Sound system equipment -- Part 2: HD 483.2 S2 1993
Explanation of general terms and calculation
methods
+A1 1991  - -
IEC 60268-3 2013 Sound system equipment -- Part 3: EN 60268-3 2013
Amplifiers (GMT)
IEC 60268-5 2003 Sound system equipment -- Part 5: EN 60268-5 2003
Loudspeakers
+A1 2007  +A1 2009
IEC 60268-11 1987 Sound system equipment -- Part 11: HD 483.11 S3 1993
Application of connectors for the
interconnection of sound system
components
+A1 1989  - -
+A2 1991  - -
IEC 60268-12 1987 Sound system equipment -- Part 12: EN 60268-12 1995
Application of connectors for broadcast and
similar use
+A1 1991  - -
+A2 1994  +A2 1995
IEC 61000-4-2 2008 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part EN 61000-4-2 2009
4-2: Testing and measurement techniques -
Electrostatic discharge immunity test
IEC 61000-4-3 2006 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part EN 61000-4-3 2006
4-3: Testing and measurement techniques -
Radiated, radio-frequency, electromagnetic
field immunity test
IEC 61000-4-4 2012 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part EN 61000-4-4 2012
4-4: Testing and measurement techniques -
Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test
IEC 61000-4-6 2008 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part EN 61000-4-6 2009
4-6: Testing and measurement techniques -
Immunity to conducted disturbances,
induced by radio-frequency fields
IEC 61000-4-8 2009 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part EN 61000-4-8 2010
4-8: Testing and measurement techniques -
Power frequency magnetic field immunity
test

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
EN 60268-4:2014 - 4 -
IEC 61000-4-16 -  Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part - -
4-16: Testing and measurement techniques
- Test for immunity to conducted, common
mode disturbances in the frequency range 0
Hz to 150 kHz
IEC 61000-4-17 1999 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part - -
4-17: Testing and measurement techniques
- Ripple on d.c. input power port immunity
test
+A1 2001  +A1 2004
+A2 2008  +A2 2009
IEC 61260-1 2014 Electroacoustics - Octave-band and EN 61260-1 2014
fractional-octave-band filters -- Part 1:
Specifications
IEC 61938 2013 Multimedia systems - Guide to the EN 61938 2013
recommended characteristics of analogue
interfaces to achieve interoperability
CISPR 35 -  Electromagnetic compatibility of multimedia - -
equipment - Immunity requirements
ITU-T 1996 Artificial mouth - -
Recommendation
P.51
EN 55103-2 2009 Electromagnetic compatibility – Product - -
family standard for audio, video, audio-visual
and entertainment lighting control apparatus
for professional use – Part 2: Immunity
EN 300 422-2 V1.3.1 2011 Electromagnetic compatibility and radio - -
spectrum matters (ERM) – Wireless
microphones in the 25 MHz to 3 GHz
frequency range – Part 2: Harmonized EN
covering the essential requirements of
article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014



IEC 60268-4

®


Edition 5.0 2014-06




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME



INTERNATIONALE











Sound system equipment –

Part 4: Microphones




Équipements pour systèmes électroacoustiques –

Partie 4: Microphones
















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE

PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE

CODE PRIX XA


ICS 33.160.50 ISBN 978-2-8322-1586-9



Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
– 2 – IEC 60268-4:2014 © IEC 2014
CONTENTS

FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 General conditions . 10
4.1 General . 10
4.2 Measurement conditions . 10
4.2.1 General . 10
4.2.2 Rated conditions . 11
5 Particular conditions . 11
5.1 Pre-conditioning . 11
5.2 Sound source . 12
5.3 Measurement of sound pressure . 12
5.4 Voltage measuring system . 12
5.5 Acoustical environment . 12
5.5.1 General . 12
5.5.2 Free-field conditions . 12
5.5.3 Diffuse field conditions . 14
5.5.4 Microphone coupled to a sound source by means of a small cavity
coupler . 15
5.6 Methods of measuring frequency response . 15
5.6.1 Point-by-point and continuous sweep frequency methods . 15
5.6.2 Calibration methods . 16
5.7 Overall accuracy . 16
5.8 Graphical presentation of results . 16
6 Type description (acoustical behaviour) . 16
6.1 Principle of the transducer . 16
6.2 Type of microphone . 16
6.3 Type of directional response characteristics . 17
6.4 Application profile . 17
7 Terminals and controls . 17
7.1 Marking . 17
7.2 Connectors and electrical interface values . 17
8 Reference point and axis . 17
8.1 Reference point . 17
8.2 Reference axis . 18
9 Rated power supply . 18
9.1 Characteristics to be specified . 18
9.2 Method of measurement . 18
10 Electrical impedance . 18
10.1 Internal impedance . 18
10.1.1 Characteristic to be specified . 18
10.1.2 Methods of measurement . 18
10.2 Rated impedance . 19
10.3 Rated minimum permitted load impedance . 19

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
IEC 60268-4:2014 © IEC 2014 – 3 –
11 Sensitivity . 19
11.1 General . 19
11.2 Sensitivities with respect to acoustical environment . 20
11.2.1 Free-field sensitivity . 20
11.2.2 Diffuse-field sensitivity . 20
11.2.3 Close-talking or near-field sensitivity . 21
11.2.4 Pressure sensitivity . 21
11.3 Rated sensitivity . 22
12 Response . 22
12.1 Frequency response . 22
12.1.1 Characteristic to be specified . 22
12.1.2 Method of measurement . 23
12.1.3 Graphical presentation of results . 23
12.2 Effective frequency range . 23
12.2.1 Characteristic to be specified . 23
12.2.2 Method of measurement . 23
13 Directional characteristics . 23
13.1 Directional pattern . 23
13.1.1 Characteristic to be specified . 23
13.1.2 Methods of measurement . 23
13.1.3 Graphical presentation of results . 24
13.2 Directivity index . 25
13.2.1 Characteristic to be specified . 25
13.2.2 Method of measurement . 25
14 Amplitude non-linearity . 25
14.1 General . 25
14.2 Total harmonic distortion . 25
14.2.1 Characteristic to be specified . 25
14.2.2 Method of measurement . 25
th
14.3 Harmonic distortion of the n order (n = 2, 3,.) . 26
14.3.1 Characteristic to be specified . 26
14.3.2 Method of measurement . 26
14.4 Difference frequency distortion of second order . 27
14.4.1 Characteristic to be specified . 27
14.4.2 Method of measurement . 27
15 Limiting characteristics . 27
15.1 Rated maximum permissible peak sound pressure . 27
15.2 Overload sound pressure . 27
15.2.1 Characteristic to be specified . 27
15.2.2 Method of measurement . 28
16 Balance . 28
16.1 Balance of the microphone output . 28
16.2 Balance under working conditions . 28
17 Equivalent sound pressure level due to inherent noise . 29
17.1 Characteristic to be specified . 29
17.2 Method of measurement . 29
18 Ambient conditions . 30
18.1 General . 30

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
– 4 – IEC 60268-4:2014 © IEC 2014
18.2 Pressure range . 30
18.3 Temperature range . 30
18.4 Relative humidity range . 30
19 External influences . 30
19.1 General . 30
19.1.1 Specification and methods of measurement . 30
19.1.2 Other external interferences . 31
19.2 Equivalent sound pressure due to mechanical vibration . 31
19.2.1 Characteristic to be specified . 31
19.2.2 Method of measurement . 31
19.3 Equivalent sound pressure due to wind . 31
19.3.1 Characteristic to be specified . 31
19.3.2 Method of measurement . 31
19.4 Transient equivalent sound pressure due to "pop" effect . 34
19.4.1 Characteristic to be specified . 34
19.4.2 Method of measurement . 36
20 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 36
20.1 Regulatory requirements . 36
20.2 Requirements for preserving programme quality . 37
20.3 Performance criteria . 38
20.3.1 Criterion A . 38
20.3.2 Criterion B . 38
20.4 Testing for immunity to disturbances in the presence of acoustical noise . 38
20.5 Immunity to frequency-modulated radiated disturbances . 38
20.6 Immunity to magnetic fields . 39
20.7 Immunity to ripple on d.c. power supply . 39
20.8 Permanent magnetic field . 39
20.9 Evaluation and reporting of the test results . 39
21 Physical characteristics . 40
21.1 Dimensions . 40
21.2 Weight . 40
21.3 Cables and connectors . 40
22 Classification of the characteristics to be specified . 40
Annex A (normative) Additional characteristics . 43
A.1 Characteristic sensitivity for speech . 43
A.1.1 Characteristic to be specified . 43
A.1.2 Method of measurement . 43
A.2 Front-to-rear sensitivity index (0° – 180°) . 44
A.2.1 Characteristic to be specified . 44
A.2.2 Method of measurement . 44
A.3 Noise-cancelling index . 44
A.3.1 Characteristic to be specified . 44
A.3.2 Method of measurement . 44
A.4 Special characteristics for stereo microphones . 45
A.4.1 General . 45
A.4.2 Included angle of an XY (left-right) microphone . 45
A.4.3 Acceptance angle . 45
Annex B (informative) Sound insulation device . 46

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
IEC 60268-4:2014 © IEC 2014 – 5 –
Annex C (informative) Simplified procedure for “pop” measurements . 47
C.1 General . 47
C.2 Measurement set-up . 47
C.3 Measurement procedure . 47
C.4 Approximate inclusion of different frequency responses . 48
Annex D (informative) Recommendations for professional digital microphones . 50
D.1 General . 50
D.2 Data sheets for digital microphones . 50
Bibliography . 53

Figure 1 – Balance of the output . 28
Figure 2 – Balance under working conditions . 29
Figure 3 – Measurement set-up for wind influence . 32
Figure 4 – Wind generators, type 1 (Figure 4a) and type 2 (Figure 4b) . 33
Figure 5 – Electrical and mechanical set-up for the measuring of the "pop" effect . 35
Figure B.1 – Sound insulation device . 46
Figure C.1 – Measurement set-up . 49
Figure C.2 – Test fixture for the sound field sensitivity . 49

Table 1 – Reverberation time of the empty room . 14
Table 2 – Reference signal and characteristics . 36
Table 3 – Examples of EMC regulations and standards . 37
Table 4 – Basic EMC standards and their application to microphones . 37
Table 5 – Classification of characteristics . 41
Table A.1 – Speech power weighting factor at octave-band centre frequencies . 43
Table D.1 – Classification of the characteristics recommended to be specified . 50
Table D.2 – Additional digital characteristics to be specified . 52

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SIST EN 60268-4:2014
– 6 – IEC 60268-4:2014 © IEC 2014
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

SOUND SYSTEM EQUIPMENT –

Part 4: Microphones

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addi
...