Neodymium

Pronounced NE – O – Dim – E – Um, and holding atomic number 60 on the periodic table of elements (Symbol = Nd), neodymium is a silvery rare-earth metal element most commonly used for coloring glass. However it is also sometimes used to make magnets. Neodymium magnets are often stronger than magnets made of other materials, and as such come in handy for the audio industry because they enable manufacturers to produce microphones, and/or speaker drivers that are more powerful for a given size. Neodymium based microphones, for example, may have 6 dB (or more) greater output than their non neodymium counterparts.