Same issue here on Monterey 12.5 on 16" M1 Pro Macbook Pro. Crazy to have this issue on such an expensive "Pro" machine!

It's really really really bothering me now!! I don't seem to get the crackles much now, it seems like coreaudiod is auto resetting itself though. It's extra annoying because every time this happens (probably every 10 minutes or even less) my volume level resets to a very low volume. It's making this £2300 machine practically useless for my day to day work!!!!!! Apple, we pay you big money for your products so we don't have to deal with these insanely stupid bugs. It was first reported 2 YEARS ago for goodness sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone should submit bug feedback here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html