A symmetrically loaded, shallow suspension speaker with stiff diaphragm having a minimum dimension that is greater than the diameter of the magnet that drives the diaphragm thus allowing the suspension of the diaphragm to extend nearly to the bottom of the speaker basket on the maximum inward excursion of the voice coil and diaphragm such that the suspension operational depth is not the limiting factor of the overall height of the speaker. The elements of the suspension system are designed to maximize the spacing between the inner and outer portions of the suspension, thus minimizing the possibility of wobble in the speaker. The speaker design maximizes air movement in a given mounting depth with a configuration that optimizes the operation of the moving parts that complements the fixed mechanical structural configuration of the non-moving parts in either an overhung or underhung configuration. The design also accommodates user replacement of the voice coil or cone.