What is a negative consequence of using an overly wide filter bandwidth in a receiver's IF section?

Using an overly wide filter bandwidth in a receiver's intermediate frequency (IF) section allows a broader range of frequencies to pass through the filter. This can lead to undesired signals, such as noise and interference from adjacent channels, being amplified along with the desired signal. As a result, these unwanted signals can reach the audio stage of the receiver, leading to a degradation in sound quality and making it more difficult to isolate the desired transmission.

By allowing these undesired signals to be processed, the receiver may pick up background noise and interference that could mask or distort the actual audio, resulting in a less clear and more cluttered output. This highlights the importance of choosing an appropriate bandwidth for filters to strike a balance between capturing the desired signal and minimizing the ingress of unwanted signals. In contrast, while the other options touch upon aspects like sensitivity and distortion, the specific issue of undesired signals reaching the audio stage directly relates to the implications of bandwidth selection in the filtering process.