ChromeOS Compatible - Audio Quality Specification Module

Version: 2.0
Last updated: 2026-09-28

Overview

This specification module outlines the audio quality requirements for audio peripherals.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

This specification document is divided into two sections:

  1. Minimum requirements describe the criteria for a peripheral category to be compatible.
  2. Additional requirements describe the criteria for certification.

Use these navigation buttons to show only the minimum or both the minimum and additional specification, respectively.

Audio Quality

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Capture Path - Mute

  • If there is any interface for users to mute the audio device, it MUST:
    • Maintain the mute state in a way that is not affected by:
      • Opening and closing the device.
      • Switching to another input device.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Along with the Minimum requirements, a peripheral MUST meet the following requirements to achieve certification:

Playback Path - Loudness

  • [Mandatory] The device MUST comply with EN50332 standards.

Capture Path - Mute

  • [Mandatory] If there is any interface for users to mute the audio device, it MUST:
    • Mute the device such that all recorded samples are zeros or within the range of \((level_{max} - level_{min}) \le 0.0028 \text{ dBFS}\).
      • If the device cannot meet the requirements, then the device SHOULD have a button to mute.
      • The mute button on the device SHOULD trigger the system mute (mic).
      • The mute button SHOULD trigger the system mute (mic) through the Telephony, or the Consumer interface can be waived.
  • [Mandatory] If the user presses the mute button on the device or OS, the mute state MUST change.
  • [Mandatory] If the device synchronizes the MUTE state with the OS, then the mute state indicator (e.g., LED) on the device MUST change.

Capture Path - Output Frequency Response

  • [Mandatory] The device MUST be fully functional using the factory default frequency response and gain settings without any manual adjustment of the capture gain on OS.

  • [Mandatory] The following table specifies the computed average RMS dBFS level output under signal level 94 dBSPL.

    Device type Output level range versus sine tone frequency
    1 kHz 4 kHz 7 kHz
    Bluetooth and USB [-15, -5] dBFS 1kHz value ±5 dB 1kHz value ±5 dB
    3.5 mm wired [-23, 0] dBFS [-23, 0] dBFS [-23, 0] dBFS

Note: In Bluetooth and USB devices, the response around the 4 kHz and 7 kHz tones is given relative to the response at 1 kHz.

Revision history

Date Version Notes
2026-09-28 2.0 Update for ChromeOS Compatible specification.
2026-03-03 1.3.2 Change revision history format for use in macro.
2024-06-14 1.3.1 Change formatting around dBFS and kHz. Publish to partner site.
2024-05-07 1.3 Change some format and wording in the doc.
2023-05-10 1.2 Add Just Work requirement.
2023-03-09 1.1 Add different requirement for 3.5mm Output Frequency Response.
2022-12-19 1.0 Initial version.