A linear magnetic actuator for an acoustic source comprising: a rigid ferromagnetic housing having a first end and a second end; a cylindrical electrical coil mounted to an inside of the rigid ferromagnetic housing; a cylindrical magnet assembly positioned adjacent to the cylindrical electrical coil, the cylindrical magnet assembly comprising: a magnet shaft having a center longitudinal axis, and at least one cylindrical magnet (423a, 423b) having a center longitudinal axis that is aligned with the center longitudinal axis of the magnet shaft, the at least one cylindrical magnet having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the cylindrical electric coil; at least one cylindrically shaped ferromagnet (427a, 427b, 427c) positioned adjacent to the at least one cylindrical magnet; and at least one standoff rigidly fixed to the at least one cylindrically shaped ferromagnet and protruding through either the first end or the second end of linear magnetic actuator; a linear shaft positioned within the cylindrical magnetic assembly and mounted to the first end of the rigid ferromagnetic housing and the second end of the rigid ferromagnetic housing, such that the linear shaft is stationary relative to the rigid ferromagnetic housing; and a linear bearing positioned between the cylindrical magnet assembly and the linear shaft to allow the cylindrical magnet assembly to translate along the linear shaft relative to the cylindrical electrical coil. a rigid ferromagnetic housing having a first end and a second end; a cylindrical electrical coil mounted to an inside of the rigid ferromagnetic housing; a cylindrical magnet assembly positioned adjacent to the cylindrical electrical coil, the cylindrical magnet assembly comprising: a magnet shaft having a center longitudinal axis, and at least one cylindrical magnet (423a, 423b) having a center longitudinal axis that is aligned with the center longitudinal axis of the magnet shaft, the at least one cylindrical magnet having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the cylindrical electric coil; at least one cylindrically shaped ferromagnet (427a, 427b, 427c) positioned adjacent to the at least one cylindrical magnet; and at least one standoff rigidly fixed to the at least one cylindrically shaped ferromagnet and protruding through either the first end or the second end of linear magnetic actuator; a magnet shaft having a center longitudinal axis, and at least one cylindrical magnet (423a, 423b) having a center longitudinal axis that is aligned with the center longitudinal axis of the magnet shaft, the at least one cylindrical magnet having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the cylindrical electric coil; at least one cylindrically shaped ferromagnet (427a, 427b, 427c) positioned adjacent to the at least one cylindrical magnet; and at least one standoff rigidly fixed to the at least one cylindrically shaped ferromagnet and protruding through either the first end or the second end of linear magnetic actuator; a linear shaft positioned within the cylindrical magnetic assembly and mounted to the first end of the rigid ferromagnetic housing and the second end of the rigid ferromagnetic housing, such that the linear shaft is stationary relative to the rigid ferromagnetic housing; and a linear bearing positioned between the cylindrical magnet assembly and the linear shaft to allow the cylindrical magnet assembly to translate along the linear shaft relative to the cylindrical electrical coil.