An acoustic transducer system for acoustic signals in water has at least one hollow spherically-shaped shell for vibrating in response to acoustic signals impinging from the water. The hollow spherically-shaped shell has one or more portions that are reflective of impinging radiation, and a resilient matrix in contact with the water resiliently supports the responsive hollow shell. A laser Doppler velocimeter transmits radiation onto the reflective portion (portions) and receives reflected radiation from the reflective portion (portions). The reflected radiation generates signals in the laser Doppler velocimeter that are representative of the acoustic signals from the water medium. A computer receives the representative signals from the laser Doppler velocimeter and displays them on an interconnected display to determine direction and range to a target. The acoustic signals can originate from the target or can be reflected portions of acoustic energy transmitted from an acoustic projector.