Systems and methods for improved audio output in electronic devices

An apparatus adapted to facilitate acoustic output, comprising:

• an exterior casing having a cutout area formed therethrough, wherein the cutout area is located on a side of the exterior casing opposite from a display screen;
• a vibrating panel disposed within the cutout area so that, when the vibrating panel is disposed within the cutout area, (i) at least a portion of the vibrating panel is substantially co-planar with a portion of the exterior casing surrounding the cutout area, and (ii) the vibrating panel is secured to at least some of the portion of the exterior casing surrounding the cutout area via an attachment mechanism disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the vibrating panel;
• and
• a transducer disposed proximate to the vibrating panel, wherein the transducer is configured to vibrate in response to an applied electrical signal and cause the vibrating panel to actuate and produce sound.

A method of configuring an electronic device for acoustic audio output, the method comprising:

• forming a cutout area in at least a portion of an exterior casing of the electronic device, wherein the portion of the exterior casing is opposite from a user interface of the electronic device;
• positioning a vibrating panel within the cutout area so that when the vibrating panel is positioned within the cutout area, the vibrating panel is substantially co-planar with at least the portion of the exterior casing;
• securing the vibrating panel (i) to at least the portion of the exterior casing, and (ii) within the cutout area via an attachment mechanism disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the vibrating panel;
• and
• disposing a transducer within the exterior casing and proximate to the vibrating panel, wherein the transducer is configured to vibrate in response to an electrical signal and cause the vibrating panel to actuate and produce sound.