The L42ms is JBL's latest all-in-one music system and may be music to your ears should the L75ms released in 2021 be too large. The L42ms combines JBL's classic aesthetic with up-to-date connectivity options.

The desktop JBL offers a pair of analogue input options through stereo RCA and 3.5mm alongside HDMI-ARC to bring your TV into the game. If their turntable doesn't feature one, Vinylistas will need a separate phono stage between their deck and the L42ms.

Both wired and wireless network connections are onboard, as are Apple Airplay 2 and Google Chromecast, and the convenience of Bluetooth. Additionally, the L42ms supports Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect, with the JBL Premium Audio app aiding your connections' setup and management as well as bringing in Amazon Music, Qobuz, podcasts and internet radio. Numbers are crunched by the unit's 24-bit/96-kHz DAC, with all audio signals routed through its advanced DSP engine, where content is output to the speakers via an integrated four-channel amplifier.

Furthermore, the JBL system can also play music held on your networked library via UPnP and access USB-connected storage thanks to a USB-A port on the rear. Also around the back, you will find a subwoofer output that, when used, automatically implements an internal 80Hz high-pass filter.

That's not all, either, as the JBL L42ms is Roon Ready and even boasts credentials for Samsung's “Smart Things”, bringing it into the ecosystem shared by Galaxy devices and Samsung televisions/ appliances.

As this latest JBL speaker system will most likely be sat on a desk, sideboard or other piece of furniture, its bass contour switch will help you tailor its bass response to account for placement within a room. Need a more expansive acoustic from the dual 4-inch woofers and dual 0.75-inch aluminium dome tweeters with waveguides pushed along by 200Wrms of total system power? This is apparently where the “Sound-Field Expansion” mode comes into play, promising to “add a sense of increased spaciousness and a wider soundstage” - especially handy for gaming and movies, so says JBL.

However, most will likely be attracted to the L42ms's timelessness, thanks to its tapered edges and iconic JBL Quadrex grille design on the curved fascia.

Jim Garrett of Harman Audio told StereoNET:

Following on the heels and success of the JBL L75ms, the new L42ms offers music lovers a choice of a more compact solution and a black wood finish option while retaining most of the same features and signature JBL sound found in the larger L75ms.

The JBL L42ms comes bundled with a Bluetooth remote and is offered in black or natural walnut finishes. It is available from the first quarter of 2024, priced at £999/ €999.

Visit JBL for more information