A multi-layer capacitor such as a multi-layer-ceramic-capacitor (MLCC) has upper and lower dielectric layers separating upper and lower electrode layers, where the lower dielectric layers have a lower dielectric constant than the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces on a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the capacitor is mounted. Such an MLCC may include the upper dielectric and electrode layers in a top portion of the MLCC; and the lower dielectric and electrode layers in a bottom portion of the MLCC. A bottom portion of the MLCC may be mounted on a PCB. As an example, the dielectric constant value of the lower dielectric layers may be between 1.5 and 3.5 times less than that of the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces in the audio range of human hearing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.