A fluid dispensing assembly having a fluid dispensing subassembly to deliver fluid to a substrate, an external manifold to supply fluid having a first wall arranged adjacent to the fluid dispensing subassembly, and a compliant wall attached to a second wall arranged opposite the first wall, the compliant wall to confine the fluid to chambers in the manifold and to provide compliance for acoustic attenuation. A fluid dispensing assembly having an external manifold having at least one opening in a back side opposite a fluid dispensing subassembly side, the fluid dispensing subassembly side being in contact with fluid, and a compliant wall adhered to the external manifold on the back side. A method of manufacturing a fluid dispensing assembly having forming an external manifold having openings to receive fluid, attaching a compliant wall to the external manifold such that the compliant wall seals the openings, and attaching the external manifold to a fluid dispensing subassembly wherein the fluid dispensing subassembly and manifold are on opposite sides of a transducer arranged to operate on the fluid in the manifolds.