An imaging subject (16) is disposed in an examination region (12) for examination. A cover (18) is disposed around the examination region (12). Magnetic field gradient coils (30) impose selected magnetic field gradients on a main magnetic field (B.sub.0) within the examination region (12). A radio frequency (RF) coil (36) generates radio frequency excitation pulses in the examination region (12), the radio frequency coil (36) including a plurality of coil elements (38.sub.1, 38.sub.2, 38.sub.3) disposed on the cover (18) distally from the examination region (12). A radio frequency (RF) screen (40) associated with the coil elements (38.sub.1, 38.sub.2, 38.sub.3) shields the coil elements (38.sub.1, 38.sub.2, 38.sub.3) and is disposed about the gradient coils (30) such that the coil elements (38.sub.1, 38.sub.2, 38.sub.3) are mechanically decoupled from the RF screen (40) and substantially acoustically isolated from the RF screen (40) and gradient coils (30).