Windows 7: USB headset cracking/popping during music playback

I received the Razer Banshee yesterday perfectly packaged with no external damage. The driver version has been updated to 1.01 and the firmware updated to 3.52, the most current according to razersupport.com.

My problem is that during music playback with drawn out beats or vocals there is noticeable popping/clicking on 20% windows volume, and even more noticeable at 40%. I am afraid to play anything any louder. It is not excessive although annoying. It sounds as if the headset is struggling, yet there are no other abnormalities.

I have tried both the front USB slot as well as two at the back of my PC. Plugging it into my dad's laptop has the same problem.

I've updated my Gigabyte BIOS and audio drivers, tried reinstalling all the Razer drivers, all with no success.

Right now the Banshee has been repackaged ready to ship back and have replaced. But right now I can notice subtle crackling with the previous headset I used that I never bothered to notice before, it isn't as excessive or annoying as it is with the new one. That makes me wonder if it could be a problem with my hardware or something, as well as with the new headset.

My motherboard is a Gigabyte P55A-UD3 and I don't have a sound card. Win 7 x64.

I read the majority of this thread Crackling sound and audiodg.exe problems and I believe it is the exact same problem.

I do have MSE as well as uTorrent. Is there no definitive solution to this problem? I'm dying here.