Fusion sells six different marine stereos on this site, from $249.99 to $999.99, and the model names, MS-RA70, RA210, SRX400, RA670, RA770, RA800, don't tell you what actually changes between them. Some of that price difference is zone count. Some is Digital Signal Processing. Some is a touchscreen display that doesn't show up anywhere in the model number.
Here's what each tier actually adds, so you're paying for a specific feature you'll use, not just a bigger number.
The Full Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Price | Zones | DSP | NMEA 2000 | Touchscreen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS-RA70 | $299.99 | 2 | No | Not stated | No |
| MS-RA210 | $399.99 | 2 | Yes | Yes | No |
| MS-SRX400 | $399.99 | 1 (satellite zone unit) | Yes | Not stated | No |
| MS-RA670 | $549.99 | 3 | Yes | Yes | No |
| MS-RA770 | $799.99 | 4 | Yes | Yes | Yes, glass touchscreen |
| MS-RA800 | $999.99 | Networked w/ other Apollo units | Yes | Yes (via Garmin MFD) | Yes, 4.3" glass, higher resolution |
Key Takeaways
- DSP is the real dividing line above $299.99, everything from the RA210 up includes it; the entry MS-RA70 doesn't.
- NMEA 2000 chartplotter integration starts at the RA210, not just the flagship units, a $400 stereo can already talk to a Garmin MFD.
- A touchscreen display doesn't appear until the RA770, a $250 jump over the RA670 for the same zone count minus one.
- The MS-SRX400 isn't meant as a standalone primary head unit, it's a satellite zone receiver designed to pair with an RA670 or RA770 elsewhere on the boat.
- The RA800 is the only one with a built-in higher-power amp (4x40W RMS) and the fastest processing of the lineup, at the top of the price range.
Why the Model Numbers Don't Tell the Real Story
Fusion's naming convention groups a touchscreen flagship (RA770/RA800), zone-count-focused mid-tier units (RA210/RA670), an entry unit without DSP (RA70), and a satellite add-on receiver (SRX400) under names that don't visually signal any of that. Two stereos priced identically at $399.99, the RA210 and SRX400, solve completely different problems: one is a standalone 2-zone head unit, the other is designed to extend an existing Apollo system into another zone.
Browse the full Fusion lineup →
Feature Walkthrough by Tier
Entry: MS-RA70 ($299.99)
Built-in Class AB amp (50W peak x4), Bluetooth, IPX7 front panel, 2-zone control. No DSP, no confirmed NMEA 2000 support. The right choice if you want a straightforward marine stereo replacement without networking ambitions.
Mid-Tier: MS-RA210 ($399.99)
Adds Fusion's DSP and confirmed NMEA 2000 certification over the RA70, still a compact, non-touchscreen display. The lowest-priced way into Garmin chartplotter integration among Fusion's six stereo models.
Satellite Zone: MS-SRX400 ($399.99)
Same price as the RA210 but a different job: a single-zone receiver meant to extend a primary Apollo touchscreen unit (RA670 or RA770) into a second area of the boat, with its own built-in amp option or preamp outputs for a dedicated zone amp.
Mid-Premium: MS-RA670 ($549.99)
3 zones, DSP, NMEA 2000, PartyBus networking, AirPlay 2 and Wi-Fi streaming, still without a touchscreen display.
Flagship: MS-RA770 ($799.99)
Adds a full glass touchscreen display and 4-zone control over the RA670, otherwise sharing the same DSP, NMEA 2000, and PartyBus feature set.
Top Tier: MS-RA800 ($999.99)
A built-in Class-D amp (4x40W RMS), higher-resolution touchscreen, faster processing, and high-resolution lossless audio support, Fusion's most advanced unit, networked with other Apollo stereos rather than a fixed zone count of its own.
How to Actually Choose
Start with whether you need NMEA 2000 at all, if not, the RA70 covers basic audio for the least money. If chartplotter integration matters, the RA210 gets you there at the lowest price of the six. If you're building a multi-zone boat and already own or plan to add an RA670 or RA770, the SRX400 extends that system into another zone rather than replacing a stereo you don't need to replace. The jump to a touchscreen only happens at the RA770, budget for that specifically if a glass display matters to you, not just more zones.
Honest Cons
The model numbers aren't self-explanatory. Two units at the same price point can serve completely different roles, check the feature table above before assuming price alone signals capability.
NMEA 2000 support isn't documented on the RA70 or SRX400's listings. If Garmin integration matters, start at the RA210 or above, or confirm directly before assuming it's included.
The touchscreen jump is expensive. Going from the RA670 to RA770 costs $250 for a display upgrade and one extra zone, not a proportional jump in every spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest Fusion stereo with NMEA 2000?
The MS-RA210 at $399.99, based on its own listing's stated NMEA 2000 certification.
Is the MS-SRX400 a replacement for a primary head unit?
Not typically, it's designed as a satellite zone receiver to pair with a touchscreen Apollo unit elsewhere on the boat, though it can function as its own source with a built-in amp for a single zone.
Do I need the RA800 over the RA770?
Only if the built-in higher-power amp, faster processing, and higher-resolution display specifically matter to you. The RA770 already includes touchscreen, DSP, NMEA 2000, and PartyBus at $200 less.
Can I mix these stereos with a Kicker system already installed?
These are standalone Fusion source units; if you're comparing against an existing Kicker setup rather than building from scratch, see our Kicker KMC5 vs Fusion MS-RA770 comparison for a direct head-to-head.
Bottom Line
Fusion's six-model lineup isn't confusing once you sort it by three real questions: do you need NMEA 2000, do you need a touchscreen, and are you building a single zone or several. Answer those first, then let price follow the feature set you actually need.