JBL 180.2 Problems, Is this amp bad ?

After reading one review after another praising this amp., i decided to buy it... I've just spent the entire day battling with it. I'm going to use it to power a pair of infinity's 693.5 They're rated at 105W RMS, and the Amp is rated at ~90W RMS @4 ohms... so technically it's a good match. After installing the wiring, interconects, fuses, etc etc, I finally plug in the amp to the HU. It distorts a bit, but it ok because i still hadn't set the gain. Now the troubles begin... I go for the usuall procedure... Gain all the way down, HU at 3/4 or until it clips, then slowly turn the gain up, until it distorts, the set it back a bit, etc etc. You guys know the drill... However... Those speakers should be *loud* paired whith this amp. At optimum gain settings it barely sounds higher than what my head unit used to put out (Alpine 23w RMS CEA2006 comliant). If i lower the gain, then the volume goes even lower (as it should) causin distortion from turning up the HU to compensate. AND if i turn the gain up, it sounds louder, but it distorts like crazy... My HU says the preamp ouputs are 4V, and the amp has the input sensibility labeled as .250V - 4V. Shouldn't this amp drive those speakers LOUD???? PLease Help!!!! forbidden wrote:

Wrong advice young grasshopper, go back to square one and do not pass go.

One speaker out of phase with the other one?Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

No, I checked with the chanels at the same time, and also one at a time. Should've gone alpine... Any other ideas???forbidden wrote:

Wrong advice young grasshopper, go back to square one and do not pass go.

anyone?? forbidden wrote:

Wrong advice young grasshopper, go back to square one and do not pass go.

Sounds like you set it up correctly.  You must just want more than this setup can deliver.  A different amp won't help, the 180.2 is a very nice amplifier and the Kappa 6X9s are decent speakers.  If by "loud" you mean you want ear-splitting volume then no, this is not a setup that will do that.  But it will deliver around 100+ db with great SQ which is good for most applications.Support the12volt.com

Actually i solved it... I had to open the amp. (Factory warranty be damned) The HP/LP switch was loose... It was barely making contact. I put a little bit of solder on it, and presto... Ear splitting sound! Thanks for all your help anyways! It's always appreciated. Now... where did i put that Diana Krall CD...? forbidden wrote:

Wrong advice young grasshopper, go back to square one and do not pass go.