I have had a pair of Rp280 for a few years. Since they came out pretty much. And i had them running of a Rotel Ra1592, 2x200 watts for a while. They did very well with that and i now run them of a 1572, 2x120 watts. They could handle the 1592 pretty much cranked all the way up, they mellowed out but never distorted. I know that wasn't the best move but i had to try. 😉
They are very hard to destroy in my experience. Yours must be defect.
They are truly great speakers for the money.
I have said this a lot, but i am pretty convinced you can't do much better at the price.
Obviously my Rf7's kick their ***. But i quite like the rp none the less. 🙂