Hey I just installed a kicker kx800.4 and have two JL subs running at 2 ohms on the amp2 channels and 2 JL components running on the two amp1 channels at 4 ohms. All wiring is 14 gauge. I start it up and when I play the front channels loud it starts a burning smell. My friend said I can't run amps like I am, 2 ohms on two channels 4 ohms on two channels. This seems hard to believe since it is triway capable at 4 ohm bridged which is equal to two 2 ohm loads. So any ideas on what could be burning? It is definitely in the cabin of the car, when vents are off I smell it when they are on (letting air in) the smell is reduced.

14 gauge is NOT big enough for the power you are running. Have you ever melted a power wire? Not fun! I would run at least 8 gauge wire.

Is your amp new? I tend to find that new amps will give off a "burning" smell when they are new, especially if they get warm. Crank your system, and touch your amp. Did it leave a blister because its so hot? Then I would say you are pushing your amp too hard. If it doesn't get warm then its something else, or there is nothing to worry about at all.

Also check your wiring for shorts.

I mean 14 gauge for speaker wire, I have 4 gauge for power and ground; yes, new amp; no, amp is not hot at all, I have both gains and bass boost near zero.

Most 4 channel amps are NOT rated at 2ohms stable bridged. "Tri-Way Capable"...yeah you bought that from Crutchfield didn't you? When they say "tri way capable" they mean you can run two stereo speakers and one sub off of 2 channels (FRFL or RRRL) but of course you have to buy their little cross-over thing. The problem with this is if you fade your system (which you should for best sound) then one sub will play louder than another.

You are running it wrong. If it says "2ohm stable" check to see if that's stereo or mono stable. If it's stereo stable then it won't be stable at 2ohm bridged. On a stereo amp if it says 1ohm stable stereo then it's gonna be 2ohm stable bridged.

Hate to tell yah this, but you'd be best off buying another amp, using your four channel for your mids-highs and the second amp for your subs.

agreed with all of the above, but it was never really stated how you had things wired. you said this:

" and have two JL subs running at 2 ohms on the amp2 channels "

and later this:

"My friend said I can't run amps like I am, 2 ohms on two channels 4 ohms on two channels"

the second comment leads me to believe that you are running one 2 ohm (or DVC 4ohm wired in parallel) per channel, is that right? or do you have two 4ohm subs running in parallel and briged to two channels?

:shhh: i do cocaine :/shhh:

For each of the rear channels I have one dvc sub hooked up in parallel to each channel running at 2 ohms in stereo.
For each front channel I have a regular component speaker running 4 ohms each channel.

So the rear channel are running stereo at 2 ohms and the front channels are running stereo at 4 ohms.

This amp is rated stable at 2 ohms stereo or 4 ohms bridged ( nothing bridged though)also triway capable. So i figured it can run 4 ohms stereo up front and 4 ohms bridged on the rear channel in triway, can't instead of bridging the rear channels I just run them at two ohms?

you have it wired correctly, it shouldnt be putting a strain on the amp.

im going to go with it being "that new amp smell" as mentioned earlier.

:shhh: i do cocaine :/shhh: