Systems and methods are directed to an air handler that reduces noise without reducing the pressure of air supplied to a space below minimum levels. The air handler includes a plenum forming a passageway for air. The plenum has a return side, a supply side, a fan within the plenum having a suction side and a pressure side to move air through the plenum, and a conditioning apparatus in the plenum for conditioning air through the plenum. The air handler further includes a sound-attenuating panel having a first side and an opposed second side that extend at least partially across the plenum. The panel is configured and positioned to interact with the flow of air to attenuate sound. The fan provides a pressure boost to air flowing through the plenum to counteract a pressure drop resulting from interaction between the air, the panel, and the conditioning apparatus.