Planar loudspeaker

A flat speaker having a width, a height and a thickness, said flat speaker comprising:

• a resonator panel having a generally flat, asymmetrical, rectangular form, said resonator panel having four corners, two generally opposed short peripheral edges, and two generally opposed long peripheral edges, said long peripheral edges being longer than said short peripheral edges by a ratio of at least about 1.3 to 1, at least an upper layer element and a lower layer element spaced apart by rib members to define chambers between said upper and lower elements, said resonator panel being mounted in a supporting frame;
• a radiator construct having a sheet of material generally shaped to conform to a surface of revolution thereby defining a right three-dimensional tapered form, said three-dimensional tapered form having an axis of revolution, an open resonator end having a first diameter, and an axially opposed open driver end having a second diameter, said first diameter being larger than said second diameter, said resonator end being rigidly mounted to said resonator panel, a said short peripheral edge being at least about 3 times said first diameter;
• a driver member, said driver member having a nominal diameter and being adapted to vibrate in the audible frequency range responsive to electrical signals, said driver end being mounted to said driver member for vibration therewith, said radiator construct having a length extending between said resonator and driver ends, said length being from about 5 to 20 millimeters, said driver member being mounted on a supporting member, said radiator, driver and resonator being assembled into a resonator-radiator assembly having a thickness, said thickness being proportioned to a said short peripheral side in the ratio of from about 0.3-0.005 to 1.