Little sound coming out of subs at max volume

[InfinityBeats]

Hi, I have a 1600 watt Audiobahn mono amp powering my 2 10" Infinity Subwoofers. When i put my volume up to the max the subs are making miniscule amounts of sound/movement. I think that the amp is getting underpowered because i have a 4 guage power wire coming into a capacitator and a 0 guage power wire going from the capacitator into the amp. Could this be the reason why the subs aren't very loud? If you need more details i can try my best. This is my first system so not very acquainted with all the terms.

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[IonRL205 10+ year member]

First off, you should never have your volume at the max. Very few head units can go all the way up without clipping.

2nd, get rid of the capacitor you don't need it.

3rd, use 0 gauge wire for your power/ground for your amp

When you put your amp in, how did you set your gain/input level?

What voice coil config (ohms) are your subs and how do you have them wired?

 

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

dude, you are clipping I can tell you that as of right now, your head unit should not go past 70-75% of its volume, and also check your gains on your am, second big no no, that cap, the cap is probably doing more harm than good, another no no, the wire should be the same gauge all the way down, unless you are splitting it from a larger gauge to smaller gauge with a dist. block. check your gains and set them right with a dmm with all your eq's flat, no bass boost, no treble, nothing only with the volume about 70%

 

[InfinityBeats]

Ok, I worked on it this weekend and i didn't read this until now so i still have the cap in but i changed the wire to all 8 guage since i dont have any extra 0 guage handy. I have read other places that i should turn the volume to the max then set my gains until i hear it distort then back off a little. Also now when i turn on everything i have a protection light come on and i think that it is something wrong with the amp. Its an Audiobahn A8000t if that helps. Currently i have all my gains down to the lowest setting. I found out that they are 12" subs (i didnt know my brother just gave me them with the box) and they dont say on them directly how many ohms but i put in the model number: 1230W Infinity subwoofer and it says its a 4 ohm sub. Is there a way to wire the subs wrong? i just put the positive to the positive and negative to negative.

Also this system is in a 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse if it makes a difference. The box barely fits in the trunk haha.

Thank you both for the help!

I found this. I have my subs wired like the top view http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/How-to-Wire-Two-Single-4-Ohm-Voice-Coil-Subwoofers