AirPods Pro on Zoom - robotic/crackling mic and sound

I've used my AirPods Pro on Zoom specifically with my MacBook Pro and have continuous issues with sounding robotic to others and the sound coming out on the AirPods is robotic/staticky/crackling.

This does not occur using Zoom on my iPhone. Nor does it occur with any other app or music/video streaming.

The firmware on the AirPods Pro is up to date.

The software on the MacBook Pro is up to date.

I have rebooted the MacBook.

I have quit and re-opened, and removed and reinstalled Zoom.

I have sent my AirPods to Apple and no issues were found. They sent them back.

The issue has been narrowed down to using the mic only through AirPods. Example: I can use the MacBook microphone and AirPod speaker/audio out and both are fine. But the moment I engage the AirPod microphone, the problems begin.

Suggestions?