In one embodiment a sound generating system comprises: a housing; a speaker located at least partially inside the housing; and an interactive faceplate subassembly comprising: a front surface, wherein a portion of the front surface contains a first plurality of openings forming a speaker grille; a display operable to display through a first portion of the front surface; the display disposed behind the front surface of the interactive faceplate subassembly and coupled to a second surface having a second plurality of openings, and wherein at least one of the openings in the second plurality of openings aligns with one or more of the openings in the first plurality of openings, thereby promoting improved sound transmission from the speaker.