Razer Blade Stealth (early) 2019 - Speakers crackling - SOLVED

Short version: Crackling speakers seem to be a software problem. Replace the current realtek drivers with version R2.82, which can be found with a google search here:

https://www.realtek.com/en/componen...-codecs-high-definition-audio-codecs-software

64-bit R2.82 drivers from the Realtek site seemed to do the trick. Although they seem to be an older driver version that the 8625 that comes as standard 8186 version that the R2.82 package installed.

1. disable the automatic driver installation going into control panel > system and security > system > advanced system settings > hardware > device installation settings.
2. Go into the device manager and right clicked the Realtek audio under sound video and game controller and select uninstall device and check the' delete the driver software for this device' and reboot.
After the reboot no sound came from my speakers, but the speaker on the bottom right of the task bar was still listed as 'Realtek'
3. Get the R2.82 drivers from the above link, select the zip and extract. and then run the setup.exe and reboot.
No more crackling and popping on the speakers.

Thought I'd share to help others.