AlNiCo-5 "Special"

[RedHouse]

Their response:

Hi Robert

We call the Alnico 5 “Special” a hotter magnet – we use a different formulation. Below are a listing of the magnetic properties of the Alnico 5 Special and the Alnico 5. Anything else we can help you with let us know. Thanks……

ALNICO 5 SPECIAL
Br 12000 Gauss
Hc 700 Oersteds
Hci 705 Oersteds
BHmax 5.00 MGOe

ALNICO 5
Br 12800 Gauss
Hc 640 Oersteds
Hci 640 Oersteds
BHmax 5.5 MGOe

The "special" A5 they have might tend to bring out more "Stratitis" if you're not careful.

[SkinnyWire]

Special looks like un-oriented A5 (as previously mentioned). Costs a bit more ... sounds a bit different (if you're one that can hear the differences). "Special" poles may be an alloy mix different than what is commonly available ... just guessing. Since most folks buy those in very large quantity to lower the per piece cost, the actual jack up and "not the cheap stuff" commentary is marketing/hype, IMO. There are subtle alterations in tone associated with each, but one man's "better" is another man's "this sucks", so YMMV.

It seems like UOA5 is the current rage (or maybe I'm just catching the end of it).

[CRU JONES]

UOA5 should have a lower coercive force, at least that is how I identify the difference when I accidentally mix them up. So, maybe "special" is not UO...