Crackling audio on new MacBook Pro

[Dromedary]

I've a new 13" MacBook Pro using Monterey 12.1. I have intermittent bad crackling on a lot of audio - notably You Tube, radio station streaming and videos in Twitter etc. On the other hand, things like Netflix seem to be fine. The prob exists whether I am using internal speakers or external.

I took it into the Apple store and they did audio checks and everything was fine. However the problem is erratic, some days no issues and other days it's bad.

Any suggestions of things I should try?

Thanks

 

[Wando64]

I would keep some mp3 music files locally stored and try to play them when you are experiencing the problem.
My guess is that they will play fine, thus proving that the problem is not on the Audio side of your Mac, but more likely related to bandwidth or interpretation of the streaming audio.
In that case I would try using a different browser for a while to see if you can isolate the issue to Safari.

 

[Dromedary]

Thanks for the reply. It's actually Chrome I mostly use and also had the prob with a separate radio app on my desktop. I'll try what you suggest with MP3s. Will also see if I get the issue in Safari at all.

 

[Wando64]

Good luck.
By the way a quick Google throws out loads of complaints about crackling sound, going back to even before M1 and Monterey.
Probably a multitude of causes, rather than a single issue.

Personally I've never experienced any issue, but I am still on Intel macs (Mini and MBP).