The Fusion Apollo 1200 ($749.00) delivers 150W RMS per channel at 4-ohm. The Kicker KXMA800.4 ($569.99) delivers 100W RMS per channel, Kicker's own highest-power 4-channel amp. Unlike a matched-spec amp comparison where the numbers land nearly identical, this one has a real, measurable power gap: Fusion delivers 50% more RMS per channel for $179.01 more.
Whether that's worth it depends entirely on whether your speakers can actually use the extra headroom.
Head-to-Head
| Spec | Kicker KXMA800.4 | Fusion Apollo 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $569.99 | $749.00 |
| RMS @ 4-Ohm | 100W per channel | 150W per channel |
| RMS @ 2-Ohm | 200W per channel | 290W per channel |
| Bridged Output | Not published as a bridged figure on this listing | 580W x2 @ 4-ohm |
| Water Rating | Not numbered (ABYC/NMMA-compliant connections) | IPX2 |
| Electronics | FIT2 circuitry, DSP preamp, KickEQ bass boost | Automatic power/audio adjustment features |
Key Takeaways
- Fusion's Apollo 1200 delivers a genuine 50% more RMS power per channel at 4-ohm than Kicker's highest-power 4-channel amp, a real spec advantage, not a marketing difference.
- Fusion also publishes a bridged output figure (580W x2); Kicker's KXMA800.4 listing doesn't include an equivalent bridged rating.
- Fusion's IPX2 water rating is low, protection against light dripping only, worth checking against your mounting location regardless of the power advantage.
- Kicker's KXMA800.4 includes FIT2 fail-safe circuitry, a DSP-controlled preamp, and KickEQ bass boost, features Fusion's spec sheet doesn't describe in the same terms.
- If your speakers are rated well under 100W RMS per channel already, Fusion's extra headroom goes unused regardless of the price gap.
When the Power Gap Actually Matters
A genuine 50% jump in per-channel RMS power is worth paying for specifically when your speakers are rated to use it, higher-power tower speakers or subs pushing toward or past 100W RMS per channel. If your build uses standard coaxial speakers in the 65-100W RMS range, Kicker's KXMA800.4 already covers that comfortably, and Fusion's extra 50W per channel would go unused. Match the amp to your actual speakers before assuming more power is automatically the better buy.
Check the Kicker KXMA800.4 → | Check the Fusion Apollo 1200 →
Feature Walkthrough
Power Output
Kicker: 100W RMS per channel at 4-ohm, 200W at 2-ohm. Fusion: 150W RMS per channel at 4-ohm, 290W at 2-ohm, plus a published 580W x2 bridged rating Kicker's listing doesn't match with an equivalent figure.
Electronics and Tuning
Kicker's KXMA800.4 includes FIT2 fail-safe circuitry, a DSP-controlled preamp, and KickEQ 6dB variable bass boost. Fusion's Apollo 1200 emphasizes automatic power and audio adjustment features rather than the same named circuitry set.
Water Resistance
Fusion's Apollo 1200 carries a documented IPX2 rating, low protection against light dripping only. Kicker's KXMA800.4 doesn't publish a numbered IP rating, relying instead on ABYC/NMMA-compliant connections and general marine-duty construction claims.
Who Each One Is For
Choose the Fusion Apollo 1200 if your speakers can genuinely use 150W RMS per channel and the price premium fits your budget. Choose the Kicker KXMA800.4 if your speakers are matched closer to the 100W RMS range, or if FIT2 circuitry and KickEQ bass boost matter more to you than the extra headroom.
Honest Cons
Fusion's IPX2 rating is a real limitation regardless of the power advantage, plan for a dry, protected mounting location.
Neither listing publishes every spec the other does (bridged output on Kicker's side, a numbered IP rating on Kicker's side), making a fully complete comparison impossible from the product pages alone.
The extra $179.01 for Fusion only pays off if your speakers can use the extra 50W per channel, confirm your actual speaker ratings before deciding based on price alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fusion Apollo 1200 actually more powerful than the Kicker KXMA800.4?
Yes, per the published specs, 150W RMS per channel at 4-ohm versus Kicker's 100W, a genuine 50% difference, not a marketing claim.
Does Kicker have a more powerful 4-channel amp to compete?
The KXMA800.4 is Kicker's highest per-channel RMS 4-channel amp currently covered; see our full KXMA800.4 review for how it compares to Kicker's other 4-channel options.
Is Fusion's water rating a concern?
Its IPX2 rating protects against light dripping only, plan for a dry, protected mounting location rather than an exposed one.
How does Fusion's amp lineup compare to JL Audio's?
See our Fusion Apollo 1200 vs. JL Audio MHD600/4 comparison for that matchup.
Bottom Line
This is a real power-vs-price tradeoff, not a wash: Fusion genuinely delivers more RMS power per channel, at a real premium and a documented water-resistance tradeoff. Match the choice to what your speakers can actually use.