The Kenwood eXcelon KMR-XM500 rates 2.8 among gauge-hole marine stereos; the Fusion MS-RA60 rates 2.5 among dash and panel ones. The Fusion MS-RA60 costs $99.01 less ($249.99 vs $349).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The step-up version of Kenwood’s gauge-hole stereo, for a system that will run external amplifiers. If the stereo will power the speakers directly, the KMR-M300BT does the same job for less.
Amazon $349A low-cost Fusion head unit for a small boat that streams from a phone. Pick the RA210 instead if you want USB, SiriusXM or chartplotter control.
Amazon $249.99These two sit in different mount classes (gauge-hole and dash and panel), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own mount peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Kenwood eXcelon KMR-XM500 | Fusion MS-RA60 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.8/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Amplifier power 20% | 19 19 W RMS x 4 at 4 ohm | 31 22 W RMS x 4 at 4 ohm |
| Zones 15% | 0 single zone | 33 2 zones |
| Pre-amp outputs 10% | 29 3 RCA output sets at 5 V | 14 2 RCA output sets |
| Features 25% | 50 SiriusXM-ready, weather band, Bluetooth, USB playback | 25 phone app, Bluetooth |
| Water rating 10% | 70 IP66 front | 100 IPX6/IPX7 front |
| Display 10% | 58 2.7 in color | 8 2.3 in monochrome |
| Warranty 10% | 50 2-year warranty | 0 1-year warranty |
| Kenwood eXcelon KMR-XM500 | Fusion MS-RA60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | ||
| Amplifier power (RMS, 4 ohm) | 19 W x 4 RMS | 22 W x 4 RMS |
| Zones | 1 | 2 |
| RCA output sets | 3 at 5 V | 2 |
| Sources and control | ||
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| USB playback | Yes | No |
| Phone app | No | Yes |
| SiriusXM-ready | Yes | No |
| NMEA 2000 | No | No |
| Wi-Fi or AirPlay 2 | No | No |
| Weather band | Yes | No |
| DAB+ | No | Yes |
| CD player | No | No |
| Camera input | Yes | No |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Gauge hole | Panel cutout |
| Front water rating | IP66 | IPX6/IPX7 |
| Display | 2.7 in color | 2.3 in monochrome |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
