Classic and contemporary combined
Remember the JBL L75ms all-in-one music system that launched three years ago? It honed the same retro aesthetics as the company's L100 and L82 Classic loudspeakers (the chequered foam grille included) and had the big sound and all-encompassing features to take on the Naim Mu-so. Well, it now has a smaller, more aordable sibling, the L42ms.
The compact all-in-one system oers two sets of analogue stereo inputs (RCA and 3.5mm) as well as HDMI-ARC for hooking it up to your TV. On the music streaming front, there's AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast for accessing most of the music services out there, as well as Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. The JBL Premium Audio app is an additional gateway to services such as Amazon Music and Qobuz, plus podcasts and internet radio, and also lets you set up, and then manage, your connections from a single hub. You can tap into music on compatible UPnP network storage devices on local networks, or access a USB drive through the L42ms's USB-A socket.
Roon subscribers will be pleased to know that the L42ms is Roon Ready, while Samsung’s ‘Smart Things’ certification integrates the unit into the ecosystem for seamless connection to Galaxy devices and smart, Samsung-branded TVs and appliances.
Rather cleverly, the JBL comes equipped with a bass contour switch on the rear panel which lets listeners tailor the bass response to account for its placement in a given room or space. Furthermore, the Sound-Field Expansion mode aims to do what it says on the tin, increasing the width and spaciousness of the soundstage for when you want that cinematic, room-filling experience. If you’re looking for a versatile, compact alternative to a soundbar, for music and movie playback, this could be it.
It will likely look better than most soundbars, too, thanks to an attractive, curved frontage defined by JBL’s iconic Quadrex grille design alongside tapered edges and a choice of black or natural walnut veneer finishes.
The JBL L42ms is available in black or natural walnut, priced at $2,400.