What does detonation sound like?

I gave up running open headers years ago! Lol! 2 1/4 going to 20 year old turbo muffs ( hmm) with 2" or less out the back. Bought 2.5 " pipe and Flowmaster 40s last year. Wanna go from them to 2.25" out the back.... not my post, just trying to learn. I'm in Full Belief though, that without help from the Brothers here, I would have popped something.. . Ugh.
I think mine is 2.25 all the way to the back. But yea on the 20yo turbos lol gonna replace the whole system eventually ill probably go 2.5 all the way back might just do it straight all the way back 2.5 inches I don't think it will be "too loud" lol