[Bug]: Web Client has robotic audio when using <1.0 playback speeds #3222

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opened 2026-02-20 11:01:33 -05:00 by deekerman · 2 comments

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 11:01:33 -05:00

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Originally created by @skier233 on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026).

What happened?

In the web client, setting the playback speed to <1.0 causes the audio quality to sound slightly robotic and less natural.
This is definitely on the web client as ShelfPlayer (via ios) using the same AudioBookShelf backend does not have this problem.

What did you expect to happen?

Natural sounding audio

Steps to reproduce the issue

Play an audiobook at <1.0 playback speed
Notice audio being robotic (listen carefully for at least 15-20s and you'll hear it)

Audiobookshelf version

v2.30.0

How are you running audiobookshelf?

Docker

What OS is your Audiobookshelf server hosted from?

Linux

If the issue is being seen in the UI, what browsers are you seeing the problem on?

Other (list in "Additional Notes" box)

Logs

Additional Notes

Issue happens in Brave, Chrome, and Edge so doesn't appear browser-related

Originally created by @skier233 on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026). ### What happened? In the web client, setting the playback speed to <1.0 causes the audio quality to sound slightly robotic and less natural. This is definitely on the web client as ShelfPlayer (via ios) using the same AudioBookShelf backend does not have this problem. ### What did you expect to happen? Natural sounding audio ### Steps to reproduce the issue 1. Play an audiobook at <1.0 playback speed 2. Notice audio being robotic (listen carefully for at least 15-20s and you'll hear it) ### Audiobookshelf version v2.30.0 ### How are you running audiobookshelf? Docker ### What OS is your Audiobookshelf server hosted from? Linux ### If the issue is being seen in the UI, what browsers are you seeing the problem on? Other (list in "Additional Notes" box) ### Logs ```shell ``` ### Additional Notes Issue happens in Brave, Chrome, and Edge so doesn't appear browser-related

deekerman added the

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2026-02-20 11:01:33 -05:00

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 11:01:34 -05:00

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@nichwall commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026):

The playback speed just adjusts the speed of the audio, we aren't doing any extra processing for the playback.

Shelfplayer may be doing something special for slower speeds. Have you tested with any other apps?

@nichwall commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026): The playback speed just adjusts the speed of the audio, we aren't doing any extra processing for the playback. Shelfplayer may be doing something special for slower speeds. Have you tested with any other apps?

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 11:01:34 -05:00

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@skier233 commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026):

I see plappa has the same effect as ShelfPlayer where it sounds normal (unlike the web client which has the robotic artifact)

@skier233 commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026): I see plappa has the same effect as ShelfPlayer where it sounds normal (unlike the web client which has the robotic artifact)