JBL L42ms

The JBL L42ms is a stylishly designed speaker/music system with a basically pleasant sound and the features most people would want from an all-in-one system for the living room or family room. JBL can provide background music and will also dramatically...

Big, hefty and quite deft sound ; Properly made and nicely finished ; Thorough specification

Needs some consideration with positioning ; Can be made to sound rather ill-focused ; Dim-witted control app

As long as you don’t find the looks a bit try-hard, and as long as you’ve got plenty of patience where the control app is concerned, there’s an awful lot to like about the way the JBL L42ms handles your favourite music

Burly, expansive and not unsubtle sound ; Visually appealing, tactile and well-made ; Comprehensive specification

'SFX' feature spoils the sonic focus ; Slightly picky about positioning ; Exasperating control app

The JBL L42ms is a very specific product, both in the way it sounds and the way it looks. It’s got plenty going for it in both respects, though, and if you can overlook the remedial nature of its control app then it’s a very likeable device and a valid...