The Kenwood eXcelon KMR-XM500 rates 2.8 among gauge-hole marine stereos; the Pioneer MVH-MS512BS rates 2.3 among dash and panel ones. The Pioneer MVH-MS512BS costs $169.01 less ($179.99 vs $349).
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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 budget single-DIN receiver for a boat, cart or UTV that will run an external amplifier. Its own amplifier is too weak to drive marine speakers loudly.
Amazon $179.99These 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 | Pioneer MVH-MS512BS |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.8/5 | 2.3/5 |
| Amplifier power 20% | 19 19 W RMS x 4 at 4 ohm | 0 14 W RMS x 4 at 4 ohm |
| Zones 15% | 0 single zone | 0 single zone |
| Pre-amp outputs 10% | 29 3 RCA output sets at 5 V | 29 3 RCA output sets at 4 V |
| Features 25% | 50 SiriusXM-ready, weather band, Bluetooth, USB playback | 50 SiriusXM-ready, phone app, Bluetooth, USB playback |
| Water rating 10% | 70 IP66 front | 50 front water rating not published (neutral score used) |
| Display 10% | 58 2.7 in color | 30 monochrome display, size not published |
| Warranty 10% | 50 2-year warranty | 0 1-year warranty |
| Kenwood eXcelon KMR-XM500 | Pioneer MVH-MS512BS | |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | ||
| Amplifier power (RMS, 4 ohm) | 19 W x 4 RMS | 14 W x 4 RMS |
| Zones | 1 | 1 |
| RCA output sets | 3 at 5 V | 3 at 4 V |
| Sources and control | ||
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| USB playback | Yes | Yes |
| Phone app | No | Yes |
| SiriusXM-ready | Yes | Yes |
| NMEA 2000 | No | No |
| Wi-Fi or AirPlay 2 | No | No |
| Weather band | Yes | No |
| DAB+ | No | No |
| CD player | No | No |
| Camera input | Yes | No |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Gauge hole | Single DIN |
| Front water rating | IP66 | - |
| Display | 2.7 in color | Monochrome |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
