The JL Audio MM105-HR costs $679.99 and can't power a single speaker on its own, it has no built-in amplifier at all. The MM55-HR costs $300 less and includes a 4-channel amp built right in. That's not the MM105-HR being a worse deal, it's built for a completely different kind of system.
JL Audio's MediaMaster lineup splits into "pure source" units built to feed external amps and "all-in-one" units with amplification built in, and picking the wrong category for your build matters more than picking the wrong price tier.
The Lineup, Compared
| Model | Price | Built-In Amp | Display | Zones | NMEA 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MM55-HR | $379.99 | Yes, 25W RMS x4 | None (hideaway) | 3, plus dedicated sub output each | Yes |
| MM55 | $429.99 | Yes, 25W RMS x4 | 2.8" full-color LCD | 3, plus dedicated sub output each | Yes |
| MM105-HR | $679.99 | No, preamp outputs only | None (hideaway) | 4, 12 total preamp channels | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- MM55 and MM55-HR share identical electronics, a built-in 25W RMS x4 amp and 3 zones, the only difference is the $50 display and physical controls on the MM55.
- The MM105-HR has zero built-in amplification, its entire value is 12 channels of preamp-level output across 4 zones for a system already using (or planning) external amps per zone.
- All three include certified NMEA 2000 connectivity for Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, or Simrad chartplotter control.
- The optional MMR-5N2K NMEA 2000 volume remote lists compatibility with MM105, MM100s-BE, MM100s, MM80-HR, and MM50, notably not the MM55 or MM55-HR by name, confirm compatibility directly before assuming it works with the 55-series.
- Both HR ("hidden receiver") models are the same core electronics as their display-equipped counterparts, minus the screen and physical knobs.
Why the Most Expensive Unit Has No Amp at All
The MM105-HR's entire design philosophy is separating the source from the amplification, 12 preamp channels across 4 zones mean it's built to feed dedicated external amps per zone, the same reasoning behind JL Audio's own MVI-series amps with integrated DSP. If you already have or plan separate amps for each zone, that flexibility justifies the price. If you want one box that plays music and pushes real volume without buying separate amps, the MM55 or MM55-HR's built-in amp is the more direct, lower-total-cost path.
Browse the full JL Audio MediaMaster lineup →
Feature Walkthrough
MM55 / MM55-HR
Built-in 4-channel amp (25W RMS per channel, 100W total), IP67-rated on the display version, 9 channels of preamp output across 3 zones with a dedicated sub output per zone, NMEA 2000 certified. The HR version drops the 2.8" LCD and physical controls for hideaway mounting, everything else is identical.
MM105-HR
No built-in amplifier, 12 channels of preamp-level output across 4 configurable, nameable zones, Zero-Clipping circuit design with self-limiting tone controls, NMEA 2000 certified for MFD or MMR-40 remote control.
Volume Control Options
The MMR-5N2K wired NMEA 2000 remote adds auxiliary volume control, but its published compatibility list names MM105, MM100s-BE, MM100s, MM80-HR, and MM50 specifically, not MM55 or MM55-HR. If remote volume control matters for a 55-series install, confirm compatibility directly before ordering rather than assuming it applies across the whole MediaMaster name.
Who Each One Is For
Choose the MM55-HR if you want a hidden, all-in-one source with amp included and don't need a visible display. Choose the MM55 if you want the same electronics with a visible screen and physical controls. Choose the MM105-HR if you're building a system with dedicated external amps per zone and want the most preamp flexibility, not built-in power.
Honest Cons
The MM105-HR requires a complete external amp setup to produce any sound at all, factor that full cost in before comparing its price to the MM55 series.
25W RMS per channel on the MM55/MM55-HR's built-in amp is modest, fine for smaller factory-style speakers, not enough for higher-power tower speakers.
Remote volume control compatibility isn't universal across the lineup, confirm the MMR-5N2K works with your specific model before assuming it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the MM105-HR power speakers directly?
No, it has no built-in amplifier. It's designed to feed preamp-level signal to external amps only.
What's the actual difference between MM55 and MM55-HR?
The MM55 includes a 2.8" full-color display and physical controls; the MM55-HR is the same electronics without them, for hideaway mounting, at $50 less.
Do all MediaMaster units support NMEA 2000?
Yes, all three compared here are NMEA 2000 certified for Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, or Simrad MFD control.
How does this compare to Fusion's stereo lineup?
See our Fusion marine stereo buying guide for how Fusion's 6-model lineup structures its own built-in-amp vs. zone-expansion tiers.
Bottom Line
JL Audio's MediaMaster lineup splits cleanly into all-in-one units (MM55/MM55-HR) and pure preamp source units (MM105-HR). Match your choice to whether you already have external amps planned, not just to price.