What's going on with Neodymium ?

So supposedly the price of Neodymium has gone up 500% over the past few months. As most of you know the super duper drivers of todays touring rigs generally have lightweight components with this material as the magnetic source. I had just seen a manufacture release a new line of drivers based on ferrite magnets. Could we really be looking at going back to 25LB, JBL 2445 boat anchors or pawning off Neodymium drivers at the gold shop?

Views: 426

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TC Furlong on December 5, 2011 at 12:09pm

Q: "Could we really be looking at going back to 25LB, JBL 2445 boat anchors or pawning off Neodymium drivers at the gold shop?" 

A: YUP

Actually, Neodymium will never be like gold because, as I understand it, once the ore is machined, it's done. You can't re-use the shavings, smelt the scrap or anything that involves changing it's form. I hear that it's the advent of electric motors being used in automobiles that's behind the shortages, hoarding and price increases. Any other information would be appreciated. Another interesting thing about neodymium... I understand it loses it magnetism as it's temperature rises. Black speaker cabinets in the sun?

Permalink Reply by Byron Lovelace on December 5, 2011 at 12:17pm

According to this metals prices site there was a spike for Nd in late summer but it is back down to what it was at the beginning of the year. http://www.metal-pages.com/metalprices/neodymium/

Permalink Reply by Jeremiah Hamilton on December 5, 2011 at 1:19pm

A recent discussion with the gurus at EV were pondering exactly that (at least the ferrite part). We were quizzing them on the next move forward for EV and they expressed concerns as related to this topic.

Permalink Reply by Graham Pearson on December 5, 2011 at 4:13pm

When do I get my pair of electrodes that will directly stimulate the molecules of air.Screw motors.You will never get the rise times needed to fool the ear.Too much R&D is being wasted in the development of 'motors'.If we can smash atoms we can smash air!The first apps. for the use of cell phones at shows have appeared.How much longer will stacks and racks exists?At least they won't be able to blame stage collapses on the P.A..

Permalink Reply by Jim Groves on December 7, 2011 at 10:55am
Permalink Reply by Randall Hyde on December 6, 2011 at 3:22pm

I understood that most Neodymium is coming from China and they started holding back imports of the material because they didn't want to "give away the house" (i.e., they want to use it for their own manufacturing purposes).

re: TC Furlong -- isn't working with the ore "changing its form"? 

RSS

© 2012   Created by Terry Lowe.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service