Panel loudspeakers’ low-mass diaphragms do not actually respond faster than conventional coils

Evidence

What about electrostatic or electromagnetic large-panel loudspeakers? These loudspeakers are dipole radiators because without an enclosure the opposite polarity radiations from the two sides of the diaphragm cancel each other at the sides, creating nulls and a figure-eight radiation pattern. These appeal to some because it is thought that very low mass diaphragms respond more quickly to musical signals than “heavy” plastic or metal diaphragms. It isn’t true because of the relative motor strengths. The distributed motor systems of panel loudspeakers are not as strong as the linear-motor moving coils of conventional transducers. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1013

Categorization

• QUESTION: The claim that panel motors are weaker than coil motors is asserted without heavy quantitative support; worth verifying the motor-strength comparison.