MassElectrons from an amplifier move at the speed of light. If only loudspeakers could move with the same speed. Thin-film loudspeakers are as close to zero mass as is physically possible. Even a subtle "breath of air" from the amplifier will cause the low mass ribbon to respond.Magneplanars use ultra low mass, thin film ribbon drivers. For example, the Magneplanar true ribbon element is 1/10 the thickness of a human hair. It is so light that when a piece of it is dropped from a height of 6 feet it takes an average of 5 seconds for it to reach the floor. Conventional speaker designs prohibit such low mass. The force from the amplifier would destroy conventional speakers made of such light materials. Only by driving the transducer over its entire area can materials of such low mass be used.