A few years ago, the Harman brand JBL sparked a popular trend that is still going today when it introduced its Classic series of products. JBL’s latest Classic series product is its new L42ms Classic Integrated Music System (MSRP $999).
The new JBL speaker system incorporates a host of features to make it desirable as a home AV speaker serving homeowners as a soundbar type of solution, and it can also be used as a high-end home audio product to support the connection of legacy source components, and the wireless connectivity of formats such as Apple AirPlay.
Setting up the latest JBL speaker system, along with the company’s L10cs subwoofer (MSRP $429) I tried the components in my house as a complete system.
I’ll describe the L42ms Classic Integrated Music System as a luxury wireless audio solution. Expanding its Classic series of products, the JBL system features a wood-grain finish and a deco style industrial design that are likely the first thing users will notice, with a choice of black or walnut wood veneer finishes.
Other features of the L42ms include:
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Looking at the accompanying L10cs powered subwoofer, we also have:
After unpacking both the L42ms and L10cs I downloaded the JBL Premium Audio App from The Apple Store. I then ran a Cat-6 cable from my network to the Ethernet connection on the speaker’s rear panel, and a subwoofer cable from the sub out of the L42ms to the subwoofer input on the L10cs. I plugged both JBL components in, and I opened the app on my iPhone 15.
Using the app all I needed to do was “discover” the speaker system. Once the system was found on my network, the app connected, and I made some adjustments to the Integrated Music System and subwoofer’s rear panel controls. Those adjustments included setting the crossover on the subwoofer to 80Hz; setting the subwoofer volume at approximately noon, and ultimately setting the bass contour switch on the L42ms to the -3dB setting after a few listening sessions where it was set in its default flat “0dB” position.
Later, as I got comfortable with the app, I added some favorites to my presets, including the local sports radio station.
Before I get into any detail about the sound quality of the Classic Integrated Music System and L10cs subwoofer, I will point out that between the app and the supplied remote control, the JBL products are easy to use.
I preferred using the app, which I found easy to navigate to find content, and to control things like the system volume. I did use the remote to control volume up/down and power on/off, but I think the system is designed to be used with the app because it provides more control flexibility.
I will point out that most of my listening was done with Apple AirPlay, which I found a great solution for those that subscribe to Apple Music. I also used Bluetooth, but I thought the sound quality was much better with AirPlay compared to Bluetooth.
Getting back to a point I made earlier about the bass contour control. I thought in my dining room, which is a square room, the flat bass contour setting was a little too much when combined with the subwoofer. Selecting the -3dB control made all the difference in providing me what I thought was balanced and smooth bass that was well integrated with the L42ms. If I needed to further back off the bass output, I could have turned down the volume on the sub.
I’ll admit that most of my listening was done with rock music, including Van Halen, Tool, System of a Down and Linkin Park, but I also mixed in some pop music with the trending new artist Chappell Roan whose album I think is the best pop music to come out in a long time.
Some people will think the JBL components are a bit expensive for a wireless audio system, but I think the prices are justified for a couple of reasons. For one, there are few wireless speaker systems that I think can match the quality of the L42ms and L10cs combination. The integration between the components is seamless and together the JBL products deliver a rich listening experience that easily fills small- and medium-size rooms with a broad soundstage that does not collapse when listening from a less-than-optimal room position.
Some of the highlights of the system include a 3D-like quality to the image with basslines that are lively with a nice attack. The image also delivers an analog-like warmth that is not colored or compromised with a rolled off top end. Midrange elements that stand out include nicely textured male and female vocals.
One of the best pop albums of recent times is Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” (photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro)
Once again, I think JBL flexed its engineering capabilities with the introduction of L42ms. Yes, the Classic Integrated Music System is more expensive than many of JBL’s competitors’ products, but I as I noted earlier, the price tag is justified.
Looking beyond the reasons, I cited earlier about the system’s price point, which focus solely on performance, I want to emphasize that in addition to serving as a premium audio solution in a dining room, bedroom or home office, the L42ms can be used as a soundbar solution using its HDMI input. Adding the L10cs provides a near perfect companion solution to fill in some of the missing mid-bass that some homeowners may want when watching video content.
I’ll admit the system’s deco industrial design may not complement some home environments, but for those homes the design does fit into, it’s basically a no-brainer purchase decision. The only question will be on whether someone needs the L10cs subwoofer.
The rear panel of the JBL L10cs subwoofer. (photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro)
Before I forget, the one major Digital Signal Processing (DSP) mode the L42ms does offer is the “SFX” feature. To locate this option, users can find a button for the SFX option on the remote. The purpose of this amenity is to add “spaciousness” to the listening experience. I did not like It; I thought it impacted the tone of the system adding brightness to the system’s sound.
My bottom line is that if someone is looking for an elegant wireless audio solution with abilities to connect to a TV or other legacy source components that does not compromise on sound quality the L42ms Classic Integrated Music System and companion L10cs subwoofer are definitely worth checking out.
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