Foto © Harman Luxury Audio Group | JBL L42ms Integrated Music System

JBL L42ms Integrated Music System – New from the JBL Classic Series

It is a compact All-in-One solution from the JBL Classic Series that offers style, performance and remarkable connectivity, says Harman Luxury Audio Group about the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System. It is equipped to meet the needs of even the most demanding listeners.

Michael Holzinger 26 April 2024Last Updated: 27 April 2024

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Harman Luxury Audio Group describes the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System from the JBL Classic Series as an All-in-One system with style, performance and flexible use.

For some time now, Harman International Industries has been pursuing the concept of addressing as broad a customer base as possible with the JBL Synthesis brand with All-in-One systems that are as versatile as possible, such as the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System from the JBL Classic Series. The name of this solution’s product line already reveals that this solution, which is part of the Harman Luxury Audio Group division, once again refers to the JBL brand’s long tradition of skilfully playing with vintage charm.

And indeed, the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System presents itself as a compact complete system that combines the timeless and characteristic JBL brand design with a variety of the latest acoustic technologies and flexible features for flexible use. It should also be noted that the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System is the little brother of the JBL L75ms Music System.

JBL L42ms Integrated Music System – reinterpretation of a traditional audio system

As with the aforementioned JBL L75ms Music System, the JBL L42ms Integrated Music System can be seen as a kind of reinterpretation of a traditional audio system. This solution has everything that a modern audio system needs to offer, and in the most compact form.

This solution measures no more than 685 mm in width, 283 mm in height and 360 mm in depth, while the MDF housing is available with a choice of black walnut or natural walnut veneer and weighs in at 8.5 kg. The front is adorned with a removable speaker grille featuring a so-called JBL Quadrex structure reminiscent of the brand’s speakers from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

The shape of the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System can therefore be compared to a soundbar or a so-called sound desk, although it must be clearly stated that wall mounting is not intended here.

HDMI for TV

For versatile use, the JBL L42ms Integrated Music System has at least the most essential interfaces, first and foremost HDMI including support for HDMI CEC and ARC, so that a TV set can be connected directly.

There is also a pair of RCA sockets and a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack for analogue signals and a subwoofer can be connected via a further RCA connection. It should be noted that the JBL L42ms Integrated Music System has an 80 Hz high-pass filter for this purpose.

Of course, the manufacturer cites a solution from its own company, the JBL L10cs, which also comes from the JBL Classic Series, as the ideal playing partner.

Flexible streaming

However, the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System shows its full potential when it is integrated into the network either via the integrated WiFi module or the RJ45 Ethernet interface.

UPnP is available for streaming, but it is more convenient with Apple AirPlay 2 or Google Chromecast, as well as TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect. The manufacturer also promises that the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System has been certified as Roon-ready by Roon Labs LLC., which is obvious given that the software company is now part of the Harman Lifestyle Division.

And since Harman Luxury Audio Group is ultimately part of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. via Harman International Industries, it is also obvious to refer to the Works with SmartThings Certified logo.

The matching app for Apple iOS and Google Android also provides access to other streaming services, such as Amazon Music, Qobuz and Internet Radio as well as podcasts.

In addition to streaming via the network, Bluetooth 4.2 is also available so that smartphones, for example, can be directly integrated as a source. Unfortunately, this standard is quite old and only the SBC and AAC codecs are supported.

It should also be mentioned that the JBL L42ms Integrated Music System also has a USB-A port and can therefore access corresponding storage media for media playback.

Whether via streaming or directly from USB media, all relevant data formats are supported, but only signals in Linear PCM with up to 24 bit and 96 kHz.

DSP-based signal processing with Selectable Sound-field Expander and Bass Contour Adjustment

The new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System features DSP-based signal processing, which not only ensures that the speakers are always optimally controlled, but also has algorithms such as a selectable sound-field expander or bass contour adjustment.

Powerful with up to 200 watts

The new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System relies on Class D amplifiers that deliver a total output of 200 watts. However, this is actually split between four channels, namely two 75 watts for the 4-inch Pure Pulp White Cone woofers and two 25 watts for the 0.75-inch aluminium dome tweeters, which have so-called waveguides for optimum dispersion into the room. A bass reflex system should also ensure superiority in the lower frequency range.

Simple control

In addition to the aforementioned app for Apple iOS and Google Android, the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System comes with a Bluetooth remote control and controls on the top of the device for convenient operation.

Prices and availability

The new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System is now available from specialist retailers in either black walnut or natural walnut, as described. The recommended retail price is listed at € 999,-.

Getting to the point

As the latest solution in the JBL Classic Series, Harman International Industries and its Harman Luxury Audio Group division are now presenting the new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System from the JBL brand. This is said to be a compact, yet particularly powerful and versatile All-in-One system that is probably best placed underneath a TV set as a particularly flexible replacement for a soundbar.