Abstract: A bending wave loudspeaker comprising a panel-form radiator and an electromechanical vibration exciter coupled to the radiator, wherein the bending stiffness of the radiator is in the range 0.001 to 1000 Nm, wherein the coupling between the exciter and the radiator is such that a component of the applied energy results in compression waves in the radiator and wherein the radiator has a break in mid-plane symmetry resulting in acoustic radiation. A method of making a bending wave loudspeaker comprising selecting a panel-form radiator and an electromechanical vibration exciter, coupling the exciter to the radiator to have a relationship between the electromechanical impedance of the vibration exciter and the mechanical impedance of the radiator useful to the operating bandwidth of the radiator, arranging the bending stiffness of the radiator to be in the range 0.