MacBook Pro M1 16" 2021 Sound distortion, Crackling

I bought this computer in December, and it is producing irritating crackling sounds in the speakers, and also when connected to earphones or outside sound sources via headphone jack. It occurs with all apps, Firefox and Safari browsers, Music, BBC Player, Amazon Prime, all exhibit this. Restarting the computer will see the noise, crackling disappear, for a week or so, but soon returns with a vengeance. I have updated the software through various updates, to now 12.3.1, and it is perhaps worse, as the clicking returns within a day or so of restarting, rather than a week, as was the case with 12.3.

When presented to the Apple Genius, the computer did not display the issue, but it seldom does immediately on restart, which the Apple Genius did first. They conducted a sound test, and concluded this was not an issue with the hardware, and suggested it was more likely to be a software issue. There is a thread of this issue manifesting with Apple TV and suggested solutions there, but non work with this more widespread manifestation. I have access to only this computer, and cannot afford, work reasons, to submit it for more extensive testing, let alone the 10 days they suggested necessary if any hardware repair needs to be done.

Does anyone know how to resolve this issue? It is appalling, especially after spending so much money on buying a new computer with speakers promoted as awesome, only for those awesome speakers to crackle incessantly. The computer is excellent, and the speakers too, when they do not crackle. Ugh!