it the MRVT505 or some such. They had 3 levels of amps and it was the top level. 50W per channel and the Q adjustment and phase and you could adjust where the subs hit and all that good stuff. I have never messed with the gain on the amp, so it is however it came stock. I can crank the Rallyes all the way up and have never had a problem. Maybe you did get a bum set, I have had them for about 1 1/2 years and have been very happy w/them. Mine are the 6 1/2 set, not the smaller 5 1/4.