Crackling sounds

[111qqq]

In Civ IV (and all the expansions) I'm getting constant crackling whenever sound/music plays. The intro movie is fine, but once the main menu loads it goes bad.
I just downloaded them all from Steam and I think that might be the problem (Played it years ago and it was fine then)

If it matters, I'm running XP.

 

[Furiey]

Welcome to CFC!

I haven't heard this as a problem specific to the steam distribution.

Have you checked for any updated drivers for your sound card?

 

[111qqq]

Thank you!

Don't have a sound card per se, using onboard sound. I checked the drivers anyway though and apparently I'm using the most up-to-date ones.
As far as I can remember nothing has changed about my hardware since the last time I played these games, except for my headphones (USB headphones, never get them! They were a right hassle) Do you think it could be them?

 

[111qqq]

Something of an update here...
I contacted 2k support and they said something about my sound output not being directx compatible, I assume the only solution is to get another pair of headphones. I plan on building a new computer soon though so I'll be able to play on that