Which phenomenon results from audio signals becoming distorted due to overload?

The phenomenon that occurs when audio signals become distorted due to overload is known as clipping. Clipping happens when an audio signal is amplified beyond the maximum level that the system can handle, causing the peaks of the waveform to be "clipped" off. This results in a harsh, distorted sound, which is a characteristic of clipping. The term "distortion" is often used more broadly to refer to any modification of the original signal, which can include various types of sound alteration. However, in the context of audio overload specifically, clipping is the precise term that describes the distortion caused by exceeding the system's limits.

Items like cutoff refer to a signal being completely halted, and echo pertains to the reflection of sound waves creating a delayed repetition of the audio. While these terms may relate to sound in general, they do not specifically capture the distortion that occurs from overload like clipping does. Therefore, the correct understanding of this phenomenon rests firmly with the concept of clipping, accurately defining the audio distortion resulting from signal overload.