Contemplated planar magnetic transducers include a magnet and diaphragm arrangement such that substantially homogenous vertical and high horizontal magnetic flux density is realized in the inter-magnet space. Most preferably, the diaphragm is a tensioned polymer membrane in which the voice coil covers a significant portion of the active portion of the membrane, and the magnets are rare-earth metal-type magnets of ultra-high strength. Particularly preferred planar magnetic transducers allow for exceptionally large excursion of the diaphragm in a substantially homogenous magnetic field at virtually no distortion, thereby providing heretofore unachieved sound pressure levels. Arrays of such and other transducers are disclosed that provide a full-range speaker with acoustic plane source characteristics.