First of all, I would like to ask any audiophiles out there, or audio enthusiasts for that matter, With the UAV system, is there any noticeable distortion in the speakers at max volume? Any amplifier clipping detectable? Loss of low frequency response as volume increases? I ask this because my Bose system in my Acura sounds great with no distortion, but in order to accomplish this, the amplifier reduces bass output as you raise the volume.

Second question, does anyone have a dB meter that could tell me the maximum SPL of the stock UAV system???? Would you mind running a little test for me?

Again, thank you to all of the current owners for answering all of my nit-picky questions!

Yes, it clips at very high levels.
The low frequency actually is backwards from what you express. ie - I don't think there is any loudness compensation which normally would automatically increase bass response as volume is decreased.....therefore, Bass response is perceived as increasing as loudness is increased. I Think.
And no I don't have a spectrum analyzer to test this.

I will have to go out to the shop and dig out my old SPL meter and take some measurements, maybe tonight.
It's just a Radio Shack Meter, so don't expect the accuracy of a General Radio box,etc.

Yes, it clips at very high levels.
The low frequency actually is backwards from what you express. ie - I don't think there is any loudness compensation which normally would automatically increase bass response as volume is decreased.....therefore, Bass response is perceived as increasing as loudness is increased. I Think.
And no I don't have a spectrum analyzer to test this.

I will have to go out to the shop and dig out my old SPL meter and take some measurements, maybe tonight.
It's just a Radio Shack Meter, so don't expect the accuracy of a General Radio box,etc.

Southern, thanks so much for that. I really appreciate it. My next question for you is, do you think the system would benefit from better amplification and processing? I ask because the Alpine Imprint removes all factory processing and provides clean, balanced preouts for some lovely Alpine PDX amps. What do you think?

I think that yes, it could use some better processing --->IF<----- you typically run high loudness. Also the speakers are suspect at this levels.
Frankly, most of the distortion that is evident at high levels IS the speakers IMO, but both are exposed at high levels.

At medium levels (80 DB) and below, the system is quite satisfactory to me.

I tend to listen to Sonically pure music (Never understood people spending thousands to listen to a guitar picker who deliberately introduces distortion into his music........How do you know what he put in and what the system put in..........don't answer that..........The answer is obviously, you don't. I'll stick with Mr Atkins, thank you!).
However, much of my music does little to challenge a good system since I listen to a great deal of music from the 50s and 60s at medium or low levels.



Anyway here are some quick tests.

First of all I found FM input to give the most output.......(and therefore the most distortion.)
The iPod (AUX) was much better sonically (256Kbits) but was down about 10DB on my music......which admittedly leans toward sonic clarity and not volume.
The most Volume on iPod (AUX) I could get was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on several of the songs from "Will the Circle be Unbroken" at about 98-100DB.


Meter Used - Radio Shack. Accuracy +/- 2 DB @ 114 DB SPL using built in Electret Condesnser Mike. (Sorry, my access to GenRad professional equip went way with my retirement........)
CTS Audio set FLAT.
Meter mounted at Drivers Headrest, facing front.

With the SPL range set at 110 (110 midrange) .........response SLOW.......and Weighting C, I got a pretty consistent 110 DB max.
Changing to A weighted, dropped that down to almost exactly 100 DB.

This indicates to me that the elevated Bass response with loudness, is more than just perceived, but is actual.

A LOT of distortion at max as one might expect.
Overdriving the Input?
Maybe.
The iPod at a lower inout level sounds much better.
Of course 256Kbits is better than the FM band anyway......in fact, 256 Kbits is really indistinguishable from CD sound IMO. So who knows......
But the fact remains that iPod at 100DB is much better than FM at 110DB.

Outstanding, sir. Thank you for your insights. I will be ordering my Imprint processor and PDX amps. The only thing you have solidified in my head is that the speakers need to be ditched in favor of some Type-X components. What do you think? Wasted money?... or Audio bliss?