What is a “Real” Ribbon Transducer ?
A “real” ribbon driver has a “voicecoil” made of a aluminum strip or strip assembly suspended between continuous rows of magnets. The principle is the same as a planar magnetic transducer other than the ribbon being stretched between the extreme points. A planar magnetic has its voicecoil assembly stretched along the short axis, typically horizontally. This makes the planar transducer mechanically sturdier than a real ribbon. Real “ribbon” drivers boast an extended performance in the high end of the audio spectrum. Planar magnetics show a drop off in the high end caused by the film material weight, mechanical properties and also subject to the horizontal tensioning forces. Because of the “fluttering” suspension, real ribbons need practically a higher low end crossover point as compared to planar magnetic drivers. Impedance of a ribbon transducer is mainly resistive, similar to a planar magnetic driver. True ribbon transducers however have an extremely low impedance, typically between 0
