LMH La Scala
Compact midbass horn with maximum dynamics
The La Scala is a legendary representative of the classic American horn loudspeaker tradition.
Its core principle is clearly defined: a simply folded bass horn, combined with horn-loaded midrange and high-frequency sections.
Unlike corner horns such as the Klipschorn, the La Scala does not rely on room corners to extend the horn.
The entire bass horn geometry is fully integrated within the enclosure. This allows for greater placement flexibility, while maintaining very high efficiency and dynamic capability.
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Concept
In our implementation, the La Scala is a classic two-way horn loudspeaker system, built around a simply folded bass horn and a directly coupled high-frequency horn.
Low-frequency reproduction is realized through an internally folded horn whose entire geometry is contained within the enclosure. This bass horn operates with high acoustic efficiency and controlled radiation, without relying on room-dependent corner placement. The deliberately limited horn length defines the character of the system: precise, fast, and physical bass response rather than maximum low-frequency extension.
The high-frequency range is handled by a dedicated horn system. The combination of bass horn and high-frequency horn enables coherent, directionally stable radiation across the relevant frequency range, while maintaining very high dynamics and low distortion.
The system design targets maximum efficiency, clear directivity, and accurate spatial imaging, without unnecessarily increasing cabinet size. By reducing the concept to a two-way architecture, clear acoustic conditions, short signal paths, and a direct, uncolored reproduction are achieved.
Designing a La Scala system places high demands on horn geometry, folding, transitions, and precise driver integration. Every opening, cross-sectional change, and internal path influences transient behavior, resonance structure, and radiation characteristics. Accordingly, design and manufacturing are carried out with strict consistency in the LMH workshop.
Selected wood-based materials with defined mechanical properties, rigid internal structures, and precisely manufactured horn contours are employed. The goal is a mechanically controlled, low-resonance system that remains stable, dynamic, and low in distortion even at high sound pressure levels.
In this way, the La Scala combines classical horn principles with contemporary requirements for manufacturing precision, material quality, and long-term stability — without nostalgic embellishment, but as a technically coherent two-way horn system with clearly defined strengths.
Manufacturing & materials
The La Scala is manufactured entirely in the LMH workshop. All acoustically relevant components are produced using precise CNC machining and subsequently manually finalized. The objective is the exact realization of the acoustic geometries — not decorative effects, but technical precision is the priority.
For the enclosure and horn paths, high-quality wood-based materials such as 30 mm beech plywood and — depending on the version — solid wood are used. These materials combine high mechanical stiffness with internal damping, effectively reducing internal resonances and unwanted modes.
For customers with the highest demands, this Classic model is also available in an uncompromising Panzerholz version — maximizing material quality, mechanical stability, and long-term durability, without regard to effort or weight.
Wall thicknesses are deliberately dimensioned to create a mechanically calm structure that remains stable even at higher sound pressure levels. Mechanical stability is not a side effect, but a prerequisite for clean, controlled radiation.
Particular attention is paid to the internal structure:
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Transitions, edges, and internal bracing are executed to minimize reflections and suppress standing waves.
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Every change in the acoustic path can have audible consequences — therefore the internal layout is realized exactly according to CAD data.
Surface finishes, wood species, and construction details are defined on a project-by-project basis. These adaptations are not driven by aesthetic arbitrariness, but by functional alignment with the intended environment, usage, and acoustic requirements.
What we deliberately do not do
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no exaggerated design decoration
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no retouching of classical principles
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no acoustic compromises in favor of appearance
The La Scala defines itself through technical substance, not through effects.
High-frequency horn
System Architecture
The La Scala, in the LMH implementation, is constructed as a classic horn-based loudspeaker system with a clearly defined acoustic task distribution.
The system architecture follows a consistent horn logic: controlled wave propagation in the high- and mid-frequency range, combined with an internally folded bass horn whose design is primarily optimized for efficiency and impulse behavior.
The high- and mid-frequency section operates with a defined horn profile, engineered for controlled directivity, stable wave guidance, and reproducible radiation characteristics.
Horn contour and geometry support uniform wave propagation and a consistent spatial presentation.
Low-frequency reproduction is realized via an internally folded bass horn.
Its acoustic function results from horn expansion, driver coupling, and the resulting acoustic loading, enabling controlled and dynamically stable impulse reproduction.
In the complete system configuration, alignment is performed on a system-specific basis.
Transition regions and level relationships are defined to achieve a coherent and acoustically integrated overall behavior.
Depending on the intended application, the La Scala may be operated as a pure horn system or combined with supplementary low-frequency / sub-bass solutions.
Owing to the high efficiency of the horn structure, the system is particularly suited for applications requiring pronounced dynamics and directness.
The La Scala is deliberately not conceived as a universal furniture object, but as a functionally engineered acoustic system whose structure consistently follows the principles of controlled wave propagation and efficiency.
Design Driven by Acoustics
At LMH, design consistently follows acoustic function.
Material selection, surface treatment, and construction are not decorative elements, but integral parts of the mechanical and acoustic design.
Solid Wood – Where It Makes Sense and Remains Stable
Where it is structurally and acoustically meaningful, we also build enclosures from carefully selected solid woods.
We use only woods with proven long-term stability, defined density, and good internal damping, such as:
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Beech
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Maple
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Oak
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Ash
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Walnut
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Selected tropical hardwoods (project-dependent)
Solid wood is used deliberately – not universally – only where mass, stiffness, and resonance behavior benefit from it and where climatic influences remain controllable.
Veneer on Plywood – The Technically Preferred Solution
In many cases, veneered plywood is the acoustically and mechanically superior solution.
As a core material, we use high-quality beech or birch plywood with excellent dimensional stability and uniform resonance behavior.
This core is finished with real wood veneers in virtually any available species – chosen for visual reasons without sacrificing the structural advantages of plywood.
This construction offers:
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High long-term stability
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Low tendency to warp or crack
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Reproducible acoustic properties
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Free choice of wood appearance without structural drawbacks
At LMH, veneer is not a compromise, but a deliberately chosen high-end solution.
Stains & Wood Surfaces
Wherever possible, the natural wood structure remains visible.
We use:
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Transparent stains to emphasize the grain
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Oil and hardwax systems for open, lively surfaces
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Satin-matte lacquers with minimal film thickness
Surface finishes are defined on a project basis, matched to wood species, geometry, and acoustic targets.
Paint Finish (Optional)
Where it makes sense from a design or conceptual perspective, fully painted versions are also possible.
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Color selection in nearly all RAL shades
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Opaque or satin finishes
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Multi-layer, mechanically stable paint systems
At LMH, painted finishes are not a standard solution, but a consciously chosen alternative to wood or veneer surfaces.
Project-Specific Configuration
Every LMH product is configured on a project-specific basis.
Wood species, veneer, stain, or paint finish are integral parts of the overall design – not interchangeable accessories.
The goal is a permanently stable, mechanically quiet, and visually honest system that does justice to the respective loudspeaker or enclosure concept.
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Classic two-way horn loudspeaker system with fully horn-loaded radiation
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High-frequency horn for controlled energy distribution and stable directivity
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Simply folded bass horn for efficient, fast, and dynamic low-frequency reproduction
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Focus on high efficiency, stable directivity, and precise spatial imaging
Driver configuration
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15″ low-frequency driver in a folded bass horn
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Project-based driver selection in close consultation with the customer possible.
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Available as finished enclosure or as a complete system including drivers
Horn path & tuning
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Defined horn geometry in the high-frequency section
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Sound guidance designed to minimize
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internal reflections
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standing waves
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directional instabilities
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Transition between bass horn and high-frequency horn tuned for
coherent radiation without directivity or level discontinuities -
Project-specific adjustment of
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crossover frequency
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level balance
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time alignment
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Operation
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Passive or active operation possible
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Particularly suited for high-efficiency systems
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Excellent compatibility with
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tube amplifiers
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low-power concepts
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low-output, high-quality power amplifiers
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Structural characteristics
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Precisely defined horn and folding geometry
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Defined wall thicknesses and rigid internal structure
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Mechanically calm, low-resonance construction
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Reproducible manufacturing instead of variable cabinet geometries
Dimensions & weight
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La Scala: approx. 67 × 125 × 67 cm (W × H × D)
(including base and high-frequency horn) -
Weight: approx. 90 kg per loudspeaker
For customers with the highest demands, this Classic model is also available in an uncompromising Panzerholz version — maximizing material quality, mechanical stability, and long-term durability, without regard to effort or weight.
Dimensions and weight may vary slightly depending on driver selection, configuration, and surface finish.
