choppy audio

I should have added that info.

I am not using the manufactures cables.

also, audio out is typically from the headphone jack to a soundbar.

the audio problem happens regardless how the audio is transferred.

if i am using airpods or homepod or speakers via 3.5 headphone jack.

I checked with a different pair of displays. Using 2 different displays and cables, one of them at 2160 and the other at 1080, I start getting choppy audio when video playback is on the 4k screen. I can move the open app to the HD screen and playback is normal.

I swap cables between monitors. No Joy.

I could swap resolutions between monitors. No Joy.

If I disconnect any one monitor data cable, issue disappears...

Just checked this with a youtube video in both Safari and FireFox. I am getting choppy audio with 90% idle CPU.

Playback of a local 4k 10bit video file in VLC. I am getting choppy audio with 80% idle CPU.

Playback of a network 4k 10bit video file in VLC. I am getting choppy audio with 80% idle CPU.

Keep in mind, the audio is only choppy when video is played back on the 4k monitor. I can move the open and playing video to the HD monitor and the choppyness goes away. Move it back to the 4k monitor and choppyness returns... If I change the monitor resolution to HD and HD, no issues. If I only have a single 4k monitor with no second monitor, no issues.

I have tried multiple cables - both USB-C to HDMI and HDMI (both monitors are HDMI). All the cables used are 8k rated. I have tried different monitors. I have tried different cables. I have tried swapping what cable goes to which monitor. Using any one single cable / monitor I have zero issues. Setting both monitors to 1080 resolves the issue (regardless of what monitor is attached). Replacing the M1 Mac mini with an Intel MacBook Pro, I have zero issues. I am pretty confident this is not a monitor or cable issue.

Recap - M1 Mac mini

Dual Monitor Setup

1080 and 2160

Audio via 3.5 Headphone to SoundBar or AirPods or HomePod mini

Video Playback on the 2160 monitor, audio is choppy

Moving the video (while playing or stopping and restarting) to the 1080 monitor no issues

Moving video back to the 2160 monitor, audio is choppy

Setting both monitors to 1080 - no issues

Using a single monitor (1080 or 2160) - no issues

From troubleshooting, I am pretty confident this is not a monitor or cable issue.

HD via HDMI

4k via USB-C to HDMI

these same monitors and cables are used with a 2019 MacBook Pro without any issues (HDMI via a hub).

Thank you for the reply, but, did you read the posts? Tried multiple cables with the same problem; also audio is not transmitted via HDMI.