Why N52 neodymium magnets?
The force on a ribbon is F = B·I·L. Higher gap flux means higher efficiency, lower distortion, and a slimmer magnet structure.
The force that drives a ribbon is given by the Lorentz relation:
F = B · I · L
where B is the magnetic flux density in the gap, I is the current in the ribbon, and L is the length of conductor in the field. The higher the flux density B, the more acoustic output you get per amp of current — i.e. the higher the sensitivity — and the lower the distortion, because the ribbon is driven more authoritatively for a given excursion.
N52 is the highest commercially available grade of sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB), with a maximum energy product (BH)<sub>max</sub> of approximately 52 MGOe (megagauss-oersteds — the standard unit for the maximum energy a magnet material can store). Using N52 allows Clarisys to achieve very high gap flux with a relatively compact magnet structure, which:
- raises sensitivity — the Atrium System reaches 101 dB @ 2.83 V / 1 kHz;
- reduces amplifier current demand for a given SPL, lowering thermal and intermodulation distortion in the ribbon;
- keeps the magnetic circuit small, so the panel stays slim and room-friendly rather than requiring a massive field-coil or large ferrite assembly.
In short: the magnet grade sets the ceiling on how cleanly and how loudly the ribbon can be driven, and N52 is as good as it currently gets.