PikiP · Energy efficiency
The PikiP energy label
An A+ to E scale based on the electrical power dissipated by a passive speaker at 102 dBA equivalent and 5 metres. Lower is better.
Why a label
Bringing transparency to pro audio energy use
A passive speaker's acoustic performance is often presented without a simple indication of its electrical consumption. This label expresses the power it dissipates to reproduce its frequency band at 102 dBA equivalent and 5 metres.
The method places the speaker in an ideal, equalised 20 Hz to 20 kHz system. The labelled value covers only its specified operating band, so speakers with different bandwidths cannot be compared directly.
An A+ rating means that the passive speaker dissipates less than 150 W to reproduce its frequency band at 102 dBA equivalent and 5 metres.
Understand the unit
What the label actually quantifies
The method predicts the electrical power dissipated by a passive speaker under reproducible reference conditions. It is not a meter reading for an entire sound system.
Electrical power dissipated
Calculated from the speaker's frequency response and complex impedance over its specified operating band.
Equivalent target level
The speaker contributes its share of a flat 20 Hz to 20 kHz system producing 102 dBA at 5 metres with pink noise.
Defined calculation scope
The model uses linear small-signal data. It excludes power compression and consumption or losses elsewhere in the signal chain.
Reference level at 5 metres
A 20 Hz to 20 kHz pink-noise signal and a perfectly flat equalised system define the 102 dBA target at 5 metres.
Calculated speaker power
Frequency response and complex impedance measured at small signal determine the power dissipated over the speaker's band.
A+ to E classification
The calculated wattage determines the class. A lower requirement receives a better rating.
Different operating bandwidths limit direct comparison. The linear model excludes power compression and losses outside the passive speaker.
Scientific sources
- Bouchet & Mouton - Quantifying Loudspeakers' Power Consumption, JAES 70 (2022)
- IEC 60268-22:2020 - Electrical and mechanical measurements on transducers
- French decree 2017-1244 - 102 dBA sound-level reference
- PikiP white paper - Characterising the electrical consumption of a passive speaker, version 1.1
How to read it
The A+ to E scale
Each class corresponds to the calculated electrical power dissipated by the passive speaker over its specified operating band at 102 dBA equivalent and 5 metres.
- under 150 Wfor 102 dBA equivalent at 5 mA+
- 150-300 Wfor 102 dBA equivalent at 5 mA
- 301-500 Wfor 102 dBA equivalent at 5 mB
- 501-1,000 Wfor 102 dBA equivalent at 5 mC
- 1,001-1,500 Wfor 102 dBA equivalent at 5 mD
- over 1,500 Wfor 102 dBA equivalent at 5 mE
Acoustic efficiency by design
Where the watts are saved
Lowering consumption without losing punch is an architecture choice, not a marketing claim. PikiP combines four engineering levers across every series.
High-sensitivity transducers
High sensitivity reduces the electrical power needed for a target sound pressure level. Sensitivity and electroacoustic efficiency are related indicators, but they are not synonymous.
Horn loading & directivity
Controlled-dispersion horns concentrate acoustic energy where the audience is, not towards walls or the sky.
Class-D amplification + DSP
Amplifier and DSP losses add to the power calculated for the passive speaker. They must be included separately when sizing the complete system supply.
Built for battery & solar
The whole signal chain is sized for 12-48 V DC operation, so PikiP systems run directly off SE stations and FlyPV solar arrays - no inverter losses.
Measurement
How the rating is measured
The calculation uses pink noise from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, a perfectly flat equalised response, and the speaker's measured frequency response and complex impedance. The target is 102 dBA at 5 metres, adjusted to the speaker's specified operating band.
The input data are measured at small signal in the speaker's linear range. The model is linear and does not account for thermal, air or motor power compression. Amplifier, processor, source and cabling losses are outside the label.
Specify low-consumption sound for your next project
We help integrators, festivals and venues build systems that pass acoustic specs without an oversized power supply.