Audio Advice Live is happening this weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina, and one of the first new product introductions on Friday from Harman Luxury Audio Group was their new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System.
Building on the foundation of JBL’s L75ms Integrated Music System that was introduced in 2021, the L42ms Integrated Music system is a more modest version that’s reduced by 7-inches across. Although both speakers maintain the same look when the waffle grille is on, there are some differences that help the L42ms shave $500 off the price.
Tip: The curved front design supports a wider soundfield. However, this speaker is not a soundbar.
Speakers and Amplifiers
The L42ms incorporates a 4-driver speaker design with dual 4-inch woofers and dual .75-inch Aluminum tweeters. The frequency response of the speaker system is stated by JBL to be 55 Hz to 25 kHz (-6 dB).
The speakers are supported by separate amplifiers for the woofers (75 watts RMS per woofer) and tweeters (25 watts RMS per tweeter).
Music Playback System
The music playback system features include:
Tip: If you want to connect a turntable, the turntable needs to have a built-in phono preamp or you need to place an external preamp between the turntable and the L42ms via its RCA line inputs.
In addition to traditional volume and bass/treble control, there is a built-in selectable Soundfield Expander (SFX) and a Bass Contour On/Off setting.
The L42ms features built-in access to Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect streaming services.
Users can also access music on compatible UPnP network storage devices on a local network or a USB drive connected via the USB-A input on the back of the L42ms.
The free JBL Premium Audio App provides an easy connection to a Wi-Fi network. After setup, the app makes additional streaming audio services available including Amazon Music and Qobuz, plus it provides access to internet radio and podcasts.
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
The L42ms can be controlled by the JBL Premium Audio app or the provided Bluetooth hand-held remote. Input selection and volume controls are also provided on the top panel of the system.
Two Bonus Features
Roon Ready: This allows users to access their library of music at the highest possible resolutions supported by the L42ms.
Works with Smart Things: This integrates the L42ms into the Smart Things ecosystem, which includes over a billion Galaxy devices and Samsung televisions and appliances for one-touch operation and functionality. (Additional Smart Things hardware is required.)
JBL L42ms
Comparison
L42ms
L75ms
MSRP
$999.99
$1,500
Type
Compact Integrated Music System
Streaming tabletop loudspeaker system
Low Frequency Drivers
Dual 4-inch (100mm) Pure Pulp white cone woofers
Dual 5.25″ (133mm) Pure Pulp cone woofers
High Frequency Drivers
Dual 0.75-inch (20mm) Aluminum dome tweeters with waveguides
Dual 1″ (25mm) Aluminum dome tweeters with waveguides
Autosensing w/ Auto-engage of 80Hz High Pass Filter
2V RMS with auto-sense/engage HPF
Enclosure
Front-ported tabletop in satin walnut furniture-grade wood veneer
Front-ported tabletop in satin walnut furniture-grade wood veneer
Grille
Black foam Quadrex grille
Black foam Quadrex grille
Dimensions with grille (HxWxD)
6.4″ x 24.3″ x 9.2″ (162mm x 617mm x 234mm)
8.5″ x 31.1″ x 11.3″ (216mm x 790mm x 287mm)
Remote Control Type
BTLE
BTLE
Product Weight (Each)
26.3 lbs. (11.9kg)
35 lbs. (15.9kg)
Shipping Weight
34.3 lbs (15.6 kg)
44 lbs. (20.0kg)
Warranty
5 Years
5 Years
Availability and Pricing
More information is available on the Official JBL L42ms Product Page. The 42ms will become available in the fall of 2023 (in time for the Holidays) for $999.99.
Today Colorado Music Festival — Joshua Bell + Mahler 1: Music Director Peter Oundjian and the Festival are pulling out all the stops for an unforgettable season finale. In the second evening of a two-part preview performance, 2023 artist-in-residence Joshua Bell performs selections from “Elements,” an unparalleled work for violin and orchestra in five movements, each written by a different acclaimed composer; 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Chautauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder; $18; coloradomusicfestival.org. Community Art Night: Trident hosts CommunityAart Night the […]
