Abstract: A thin loudspeaker is provided that produces a superior frequency response and a diffuse acoustical pattern using magnetic drivers, acoustical plates, or a combination of magnetic drivers and acoustical plates. The invention contains a specially designed crossover network and a novel enclosure design. The novel enclosure includes a septum and cross bracing which enables the invention to realize superior performance in a thin loudspeaker design. The invention encompasses methods for improving the performance of an acoustical plate which include (1) placing acoustical plate motor elements on the plate in a manner that avoids rotational, mirror, and translational symmetry, (2) using acoustical plate motor elements of different shapes and sizes to stimulate the plate, and (3) using an acoustical plate that has an asymmetric shape. All of the embodiments of the invention may be covered with a decorative cover and hung on a wall like a picture or used to form a panel in a home entertainment center.

Abstract: This application outlines several applications of a piezoelectric materials invention to produce quality loudspeakers in applications where coil driven dynamic speakers are difficult or impossible to implement with an appreciable degree of sound quality. This invention includes a series of modifications to a laptop computer such as the IBM 750c. The modifications to the computer consist of placing piezoelectric patches behind the LCD and directly to the back wall of the laptop lid. Damping materials and stiffeners are also added to the back wall to reduce structural resonance. A system consisting of an audio amplifier and transformer is used to drive the piezo speaker.