Audio port configuration for compact electronic devices

A portable electronic device, comprising:

• a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, the housing having an audio port opening;
• a flexible substrate for electrical circuitry provided within the housing, the flexible substrate including a first side and a second side, the flexible substrate including a substrate opening there through;
• an audio component coupled to the first side of the flexible substrate adjacent the substrate opening;
• a molded acoustic chamber provided within the housing, the molded acoustic chamber having an internal audio channel through the molded acoustic chamber from a first end to a second end;
• and
• a mesh barrier integrally molded with the second end of the molded acoustic chamber, wherein the first end of the molded acoustic chamber is acoustically sealed to the second side of the flexible substrate adjacent the substrate opening, and wherein the second end of the molded acoustic chamber is acoustically sealed to the inner surface of the housing adjacent the audio port opening.

A method for assembling an audio subsystem for use in a portable electronic device, comprising:

• providing a molded acoustic chamber including:
• at least a first portion having a first end;
• a second portion having a second end;
• an internal audio channel through the molded acoustic chamber from the first end to the second end,
• wherein the internal audio chamber is tapered such that the internal audio chamber is more narrow at the second end than the first end;
• and
• a mesh barrier provided within or adjacent the internal audio channel;
• providing a flexible substrate for electrical circuitry, the flexible substrate including a first side and a second side, the flexible substrate including a substrate opening there through;
• attaching an audio component coupled to the first side of the flexible substrate adjacent the substrate opening;
• and
• acoustically coupling the first end of the molded acoustic chamber to the second side of the flexible substrate adjacent the substrate opening.