Patent ID: 7412763

Claim:
A method of making an acoustic assembly, the method comprising: providing a first layer member, the first layer member including a first center portion and a first edge portion, a first opening formed in the first layer member separating the first center portion and the first edge portion, the first layer member having a first stiffness; providing a second layer member, the second layer member including a second center portion and a second edge portion, a second opening formed in the second layer member separating the second center portion and the second edge portion such that the second center portion is free to move relative to the second edge portion, the second layer member having a second stiffness; joining the first layer member and the second layer member to form an assembly, wherein the first center portion and the second center portion are coupled to form an assembly center portion; the first edge portion and the second edge portion are coupled to form an assembled edge portion, and the first opening and the second opening are substantially aligned to define a passageway between the assembled center portion and the assembled edge portion, the assembly having an assembly stiffness, the assembly stiffness being greater than either the first stiffness or the second stiffness; coupling the assembled center portion and the assembled edge portion such that the assembled center portion is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled edge portions about an axis, and coupling a flexible layer member to the assembly, the flexible layer member having a stiffness substantially less than the first stiffness, the second stiffness and the assembly stiffness, the flexible layer member substantially airtight sealing the passageway between a first side of the assembly and a second side of the assembly while sustaining an ability of the assembled first and second center portions to rotate relative to the first and second edge portions.