I recall that the classical Roman architect Vitruvius described how to improve the acoustics of an open air auditorium by placing earthenware 'sounding jars' beneath the seats of the audience. My professor of acoustics scoffed at the idea when I was a student. The Natural Speaker by designers Joon & Jung uses porcelain as speaker housing and claim it has exceptional properties for amplified performances.
It is claimed that the combination of porcelain and twigs gives a balanced mid-tone sound with a slight echo reminiscent of a live acoustic performance. Perhaps there was something in what Vitruvius had to say that we are only just discovering. Only 20 sets of speakers were apparently produced...which have almost certainly long since gone!
