The Kicker 51MWE124 and the 51MWE122 covered separately are the same 12-inch M-Class subwoofer in every dimension that matters except one: the 51MWE124 runs a 4-ohm voice coil, the 51MWE122 runs 2-ohm. Same carbon-fiber cone, same 225-450W RMS recommended range, same 900W peak, same mounting hole and depth. Same $499.99 price, too.
The decision between them isn't about performance, it's about which impedance your amplifier is actually set up to drive.
Key Takeaways
- Identical 225-450W RMS recommended range and 900W peak between the 4-ohm 51MWE124 and the 2-ohm 51MWE122.
- Same mounting hole diameter (10-3/4"), depth (5-3/4"), and outer diameter (12-15/16") on both.
- Same RGBW LED lighting, carbon-fiber-infused cone, and charcoal grille included (white sold separately) on both.
- The only meaningful difference is voice coil impedance, which changes how much power a given amp actually delivers.
- Priced identically at $499.99, so cost isn't a factor in choosing between them either.
Why Impedance Is the Whole Decision Here
A 4-ohm speaker and a 2-ohm speaker draw different amounts of current from the same amplifier at the same voltage, which is why amps state separate power ratings per impedance. If your amp's 4-ohm output is what you're planning around, the 51MWE124 is the correct match; if you're wiring for a 2-ohm total load, or your amp is rated specifically at 2-ohm, the 51MWE122 is the one to buy. Installing the wrong impedance version doesn't damage anything by itself, but it does mean your amp delivers a different amount of power than you planned for.
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Feature Walkthrough
Shared Construction
Both use a polypropylene cone co-molded to a TPE surround, a polycarbonate bridge resting on a ribbed silicone gasket for a vibration-resistant seal, and a glass-infused nylon basket for thermal performance. Both meet the same ASTM B117 salt-fog and ASTM G154 UV testing standards.
RGBW LED
Both include RGBW lighting standard, with a charcoal grille in the box and the white MWGW grille sold separately, matching the pattern across the rest of the M-Class subwoofer line.
Mounting
Identical 10-3/4" mounting hole, 5-3/4" depth, and 12-15/16" outer diameter, meaning either version fits the same cutout without any installation difference beyond the wiring itself.
Amplifier Pairing
For the 51MWE124's 4-ohm rating, the KMA800.1 (300W at 4-ohm) sits within the recommended range comfortably. For the 2-ohm 51MWE122, the same amp delivers 600W at 2-ohm, above the recommended ceiling, so a more conservative gain setting or a different amp would be the closer match there. This is our own power-matching read, not an official Kicker-confirmed pairing.
Who Each Version Is For
Choose the 51MWE124 if your amp is rated at 4-ohm, or if you're running a single subwoofer on a standard 4-ohm channel. Choose the 51MWE122 if you're wiring for a 2-ohm load, whether that's a single 2-ohm-rated amp channel or multiple subs wired to reach that total impedance.
Honest Cons
Buying the wrong impedance for your amp setup is an easy mistake given how identical these two are otherwise. Double-check your amp's rated impedance before ordering either one.
White grille costs extra on both versions, consistent with the rest of the M-Class line.
No numbered IP rating published, despite the marine-compliant terminal and gasket construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one of these sound better than the other?
No — the driver, cone, and construction are identical. The only functional difference is voice coil impedance.
Can I wire two 51MWE124 subs to reach a 2-ohm total load instead of buying the 51MWE122?
Wiring two 4-ohm subs in parallel does produce a 2-ohm total load; confirm your amp's rated output at that configuration before assuming it's equivalent to running the dedicated 2-ohm version.
Is the RGBW LED controlled the same way on both?
Both include the same lighting hardware; check current documentation for which controller unlocks extended color/mode functionality.
Which one is cheaper?
Neither — both are priced identically at $499.99.
Bottom Line
The 51MWE124 and 51MWE122 are the same subwoofer at two impedances. Check your amplifier's rated output first, then buy the version that actually matches it, since price and performance don't differentiate between them at all.