A balanced armature (BA) receiver and specifically a nickel-iron (Ni—Fe) alloy armature having improved robustness and performance receivers, as well as motors and receivers including such armatures are disclosed. The Ni—Fe armature has a nickel content of 45% or less by weight, 5% or less additive and impurities by weight, and the balance Fe. The armature can be configured as a U-reed, an E-reed or in some other configuration.