laptop, power is battery not plugged in, Nvidia dedicated on for EQ (not cpu graphics). I noticed no sound until I casted, then the cast is crackling sounds of the case. Occasionally the sound is loud, standing next to a fire the flames got loud and crackling. New laptop, not sure what it could be. Battery set for best performance.
UPDATE: A tell being sent is very bad feedback! UPDATE: The 'cheap' headphones were using a headphone ---> USBc jack adapter plugged into USBc. I have removed the adapter and plugged into the headphone jack on the laptop. Now I don't get the bad distorted sound on a /tell... but still have cracking sound on casting a spell. I have removed the headphones from the laptop and the laptop speakers hear the crackling sound too. It is not related to just headphones.
Check that your sound is set to 2.1 not 5.1 (unless you actually have a surround sound setup) Delete & re-install your sound card (or onboard sound) drivers Re-check that your sound is set to 2.1 not 5.1 (unless you actually have a surround sound setup)