Electroacoustic drivers and loudspeakers containing same

A loudspeaker comprising:

• (a) an enclosure;
• (b) a sound panel mechanically connected to the enclosure;
• (c) a moveable armature mechanically connected to the sound panel comprising an actuator operable to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, wherein the moveable armature is operable for moving the sound panel toward the enclosure to create a first air pressure force and away from the enclosure to create a second air pressure force;
• (d) a magnetic negative spring (MNS) that has a first magnetic negative spring portion that is mechanically connected to the moveable armature and a second magnetic negative spring portion that is stationary relative to the enclosure, wherein
• (i) the MNS is operable to provide a first magnetic negative spring force when the sound panel is moving toward the enclosure and a second magnetic negative spring force when the sound panel is moving away from the enclosure,
• (ii) the first magnetic negative spring force is oppositely directed to the first air pressure force,
• (iii) the second magnetic negative spring force is oppositely directed to the second air pressure force,
• (iv) the first magnetic negative spring portion comprises a first armature magnet and a second armature magnet, wherein the first armature magnet and the second armature magnet are oppositely polarized,
• (v) the second magnetic negative spring portion comprises a first ring magnet having a first polarity and a second ring magnet having a second polarity, wherein the first ring magnet and the second ring magnet are oppositely polarized;
• (vi) the first armature magnet is repelled by the first ring magnet and the second armature magnet is repelled by the second ring magnet when the sound panel is in a centered position.