When I use a bluetooth audio device as both input and output, then quality is reduced.
When I connect a bluetooth audio device such as my car or headphones, I often use it only for sound output.
That means, when I go to System Settings -> Sound, I select Output -> Name of Bluetooth Device and Input -> MacBook Air Microphone.
The bluetooth device works perfectly.
However, when I change the input to that bluetooth device as well, the audio output quality deteriorates. When I change the input back to MacBook Air Microphone, then the output quality goes back to normal.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.0