A planar diaphragm loudspeaker for use in a suspended ceiling grid and related
methods of manufacturing are provided. The loudspeaker includes a rectangular,
planar diaphragm of polymer material sized to fill an opening of the ceiling grid.
The front surface of the diaphragm defines a three-dimensional, textured pattern
formed by a secondary operation, such as, etching, perforating, and adhesion of
granular or fiber material. The diaphragm may include an outer region about the
periphery of the diaphragm having a density of at least 5 pcf and an inner region
circumscribed by the outer region, thereby providing sufficient structural stiffness
to the outside perimeter of the diaphragm and eliminating the need of an outer
frame. The density of the inner region is at or below about 3 pcf throughout the
inner region. Also, a shroud may secured to the diaphragm, in which the shroud
and the diaphragm are securable in a first orientation for flush mounting or in
a second orientation for tegular-drop mounting. The loudspeaker may also include
a bracket rigidly attached to the diaphragm at two spaced locations in the outer
region and extending across the inner region between the spaced locations.