Active noise reduction (ANR) for aircrew hearing protection in harsh noise environments such as military and civilian flight operations requires a high‐performance, microsized driver that provides not only high acoustic power, at least 130 dB SPL, but also high fidelity sound quality, especially in low‐frequency ranges below 100 Hz. A new microsized smart material actuator (MSMA) is being developed by using high‐density and direct‐conversion piezoelectric exciters combined with a unique acoustic structure, unlike conventional moving coil/magnet‐type drivers. The dimensions of the MSMA are 6 mm in diameter by 7 mm long, small enough for ear‐canal application as an earplug driver, maximizing ANR effectiveness. The MSMA system consists of a microscale earplug driver, a protective package made of medical‐grade stainless steel, and a compact actuation amplifier easily connected to or embedded in an external ANR controller. Performance tests show the system produces over 130 dB SPL in a 1 cc trapped cylindrical volume with very flat frequency responses even below 100 Hz. The total harmonic distortion of the MSMA is lower than 4% over all audible frequency ranges, without phase delay or discontinuities.