What Volume Level Does the Maverick Radio Start Clipping (Distorting)?

[Shadow Garden]

I am installing a amp (kicker key 200.4) for my new speakers.

I need to know what the max volume I can play out of the factory radio before the signal starts to clip and distort.

I was reading online and someone mentioned that the radio distorts heavily at volume 22 and up.

Was wondering if anyone has had a chance to run an oscilloscope on the radio and see how loud we can get it without getting distortion?


Source:

https://www.diymobileaudio.com/thre...g-erratic-frequency-at-higher-volumes.457484/

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[Maverickman74]

My XLTREMOR radio sounds just fine at 30. Could be a bit louder though. Bang your head was on the other day and I was doing unloading the truck. It would have been nice if it was head banging loud as I carried laundry up to the house about 20ft away. Windows were down. Sound was clear at 30 just not ear shredding.

 

[rallyshark]

I've not seem any mention of it here, but traditionally the Ford radios start to pull bass pass the half way mark. I don't know if that's the case with the Maverick radio or not yet. I'm currently fighting with an install on mine,lol. I usually tune my amps to where I RARELY need the volume past 15. Yes, that would be too hot for volumes past 20, but that would be ear bleeding levels. Truth be told, distortion will be a matter of tuning the levels on your amp, more than the radio causing it(in most cases). I wouldn't even worry about that, and just tune the gains appropriately myself.

 

[jewc75]

I listen to mine on 22 usually but have had it at 30 and havent noticed any distortion.

 

[billbillw]

Distortion/clipping on the speaker outs will depend on the load it sees. It is usually due to the HU amplifier not having enough current capability. I'm sure the Key presents a greater impedance than the factory speakers so the HU output does not have the same amperage limitations that it does normally. The issue is probably more about the EQ being applied by the HU than clipping on the signal from the HU.

 

[Stimpy433]

I listen to mine on 22 usually but have had it at 30 and havent noticed any distortion.

Damn, I must be getting old!!! I listen to mine at 8-10 and 12 if i’m feeling crazy…. Hahaha!!!

 

[hdave]

wow it's sad that I don't use audio enough to even know what volume I normally put it at.
Plugging in my phone automatically changes the source from radio to iPhone, and I'm too lazy to switch back. So I just drive in silence.

Damn, I must be getting old!!! I listen to mine at 8-10 and 12 if i’m feeling crazy…. Hahaha!!!

Could be worse where you need it at 20 otherwise you don't hear it lol.

 

[colinl]

OP:
Get an affordable calibrated mic and some kind of RTA, such as AudioTool: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.julian.apps.AudioTool&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1

I use this mic:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ADR2B84

And this adapter for my tablet or phone:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5875XVW

All of it is less than $40 and you have a RTA that is relatively functional. It has a tone generator and I recommend using 2 devices. One with the mic in a good, fixed position in the truck. One with the source connected via bluetooth or wired playing test files or music. Wired will be better fidelity, but it's really convenient to be outside the truck and playing test files via bluetooth connection while logging with a device inside the truck.

For the Key 200.4 set up specifically, you need to follow Kicker's set up instructions. You've asked about this before and I gave some suggestions. It's not useful for the Kicker setup to measure the frequency response and look for clipping in the stock system, but it might be interesting. You could look at the effects of the tone controls, also.

 

[billbillw]

Damn, I must be getting old!!! I listen to mine at 8-10 and 12 if i’m feeling crazy…. Hahaha!!!

Source music can have widely varying output levels. Some radio stations are loud at 12, some of my USB music is barely audible until you get over 16. The stuff streaming from Pandora/Spotify/etc. can vary quite a bit as well.

 

[Tailender]

Damn, I must be getting old!!! I listen to mine at 8-10 and 12 if i’m feeling crazy…. Hahaha!!!

I barely turn mine above 8 and I am hard of hearing! (At least my wife says I am)

 

[PNWMaverick]

I listen to mine on 22 usually but have had it at 30 and havent noticed any distortion.

What in the Hell?!?

Anything above 5 and it is way too loud.

I had to turn the speaker fade to mostly front because anything above 2 o 3 made sitting in the rear seats impossible. Since someone thought putting a speaker right in the passenger's ear was a good idea. It is the single biggest complaint I have of the truck; rear seat speaker placement.

 

[Red Ryder]

For the sake of Key 200.4 tuning, I used their 75% volume setting and increased the gains until the clipping indicators illuminated. That worked very well.

 

[colinl]

For the sake of Key 200.4 tuning, I used their 75% volume setting and increased the gains until the clipping indicators illuminated. That worked very well.

Exactly. And then after it's set up, use your ears to determine if you're overextending or clipping. A person should know when they hear something wrong or harsh. Turn the volume knob down quickly when you hear that.

Also, you folks talking about volume 12 to 5 being loud enough, I assume you never go to a concert. People that upgrade their audio are the same people that enjoy live music.

 

[jewc75]

My Mav is the smallest system I own lol. My others get much louder.

 

[colinl]

My Mav is the smallest system I own lol. My others get much louder.

I'm still using the B&O amp for my front components and I'm surprised they can play to about 110db but I've certainly had systems with a lot more music and especially bass SPL.

This is from my phone's mic just now, not my calibrated mic.

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