Abstract: A photoacoustic speaker and method for producing photoacoustic sound by utilizing a laser beam, modulating the intensity of the laser beam in response to audio signal inputs and passing the modulated laser beam into a gas absorption chamber wherein gas capable of absorption of the modulated laser beam upon such absorption produces photothermic pressure waves corresponding to the audio signal inputs and which produce sound upon impingement on walls of the absorption chamber. The photoacoustic speaker achieves high fidelity sound reproduction and is capable of projecting a column of sound thereby providing an acoustic dimension effect.