Abstract: A flat panel loudspeaker configured for mounting in an opening in a mounting surface includes a planar resonant panel configured to be inserted into an opening in the mounting surface and having a front surface and a rear surface. The flat panel loudspeaker also includes an exciter coupled to the rear surface and configured to cause an active portion of the planar resonant panel to vibrate and generate sound. An outer boundary of the active portion of the planar resonant panel is fixed relative to the mounting surface, the outer boundary defining the active portion as an area of the planar resonant panel. The planar resonant panel comprises an edge portion extending beyond the outer boundary of the active portion in at least one direction. The edge portion is configured to overlap the mounting surface.

Abstract: A flat panel loudspeaker configured for mounting in an opening in a mounting surface includes a planar resonant panel configured to be inserted into an opening in the mounting surface and having a front surface and a rear surface. The flat panel loudspeaker also includes an exciter coupled to the rear surface and configured to cause an active portion of the planar resonant panel to vibrate and generate sound. An outer boundary of the active portion of the planar resonant panel is fixed relative to the mounting surface, the outer boundary defining the active portion as an area of the planar resonant panel. The planar resonant panel comprises an edge portion extending beyond the outer boundary of the active portion in at least one direction. The edge portion is configured to overlap the mounting surface.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of manufacturing a resonant panel (200) of a flat panel loudspeaker. The method comprises: pressing a resonant panel blank between a first pressing surface (302) and a second pressing surface of a press, whereby to form the resonant panel (200) of the flat panel loudspeaker. The second pressing surface substantially opposes the first pressing surface (302). The first pressing surface (302) comprises at least one tool relief region (306, 312, 314, 316, 318), whereby to form at least one corresponding respective panel relief region (206, 212, 214, 216, 218) in a surface of the resonant panel (200).

Abstract: Circular flat panel loudspeaker comprising a resonant with a rear surface opposite the front surface. An exciter is provided at an axial centre of panel and coupled to the rear surface of the panel to cause the panel to vibrate, on operation of the exciter, to generate sound. A frame is provided for mounting in the surface and having the rear surface of the panel fixed thereto around the whole of the outer boundary of the panel, such that when mounted in the mounting surface and when the panel is caused by the exciter to vibrate on operation of the exciter, the outer boundary of the panel is fixed relative to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A flat panel loudspeaker includes a planar resonant panel insertable into an opening in the mounting surface and including a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface faces outward in the mounting surface. The loudspeaker also includes an exciter coupled to the rear surface of the planar resonant panel and a support frame for mounting in the mounting surface. The rear surface of the planar resonant panel is fixed thereto around substantially the whole of the outer boundary of the planar resonant panel. The outer boundary of the planar resonant panel is fixed relative to the mounting surface. The loudspeaker further includes at least one tab configured to extend away from the support frame and be substantially flush with the front surface of the planar resonant panel, which is substantially flush with the mounting surface when the tab is against the mounting surface.

Abstract: A flat panel loudspeaker includes a planar resonant panel insertable into an opening in the mounting surface and including a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface faces outward in the mounting surface. The loudspeaker also includes an exciter coupled to the rear surface of the planar resonant panel and a support frame for mounting in the mounting surface. The rear surface of the planar resonant panel is fixed thereto around substantially the whole of the outer boundary of the planar resonant panel. The outer boundary of the planar resonant panel is fixed relative to the mounting surface. The loudspeaker further includes at least one tab configured to extend away from the support frame and be substantially flush with the front surface of the planar resonant panel, which is substantially flush with the mounting surface when the tab is against the mounting surface.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of manufacturing a resonant panel (200) of a flat panel loudspeaker. The method comprises: pressing a resonant panel blank between a first pressing surface (302) and a second pressing surface of a press, whereby to form the resonant panel (200) of the flat panel loudspeaker. The second pressing surface substantially opposes the first pressing surface (302). The first pressing surface (302) comprises at least one tool relief region (306, 312, 314, 316, 318), whereby to form at least one corresponding respective panel relief region (206, 212, 214, 216, 218) in a surface of the resonant panel (200).

Abstract: Circular flat panel loudspeaker comprising a resonant with a rear surface opposite the front surface. An exciter is provided at an axial centre of panel and coupled to the rear surface of the panel to cause the panel to vibrate, on operation of the exciter, to generate sound. A frame is provided for mounting in the surface and having the rear surface of the panel fixed thereto around the whole of the outer boundary of the panel, such that when mounted in the mounting surface and when the panel is caused by the exciter to vibrate on operation of the exciter, the outer boundary of the panel is fixed relative to the mounting surface.

Abstract: There is provided a flat panel loudspeaker comprising a resonant panel, an exciter comprising a foot generally cylindrical in shape, coupled to the resonant panel and defining an inner region of the resonant panel. The exciter is drivable to vibrate the resonant panel via the foot, whereby to produce a sound. A stiffness of the resonant panel in the inner region is greater than a stiffness of the resonant panel in a region of the resonant panel outside the inner region. Additionally or alternatively, the flat panel loudspeaker further comprises a damping member in contact with the inner region of the resonant panel and arranged inside the foot to generally brace against the vibration of the resonant panel so as to damp a response of the resonant panel in the inner region to a vibration from the exciter.

Abstract: A flat panel speaker comprises a mounting unit for mounting inside the surface and having a front and a back; a speaker unit having a flat panel, wherein the speaker unit is seated in the mounting unit and at least partially extending frontwardly from the front of the mounting unit; and at least one holding portion arranged for extending frontwardly outwards past the speaker unit and to be usable to hold the flat panel speaker in the surface during mounting. A method of mounting the flat panel speaker in a surface is also disclosed, comprising: inserting the mounting unit of the flat panel speaker through an opening defined in the surface; using the at least one holding portion to hold the flat panel speaker in the surface during mounting; and securing the mounting unit to the surface, whereby to hold the flat panel speaker in place in the surface.