Playback "sputtering" on macOS

I have recently been trying out MuseScore 4 after composing using Finale for years. When I play back my piece (currently consisting of several solo strings), the playback sputters and crackles several times per measure. When I increased the buffer size to its max value, this helped (as was recommended in another thread), but did not fully fix the problem. If I can't resolve this issue, I won't be able to continue using Musescore, which is disappointing to me. Here are my computer and software specs:

Computer: macOS Sonoma 14.5, Macbook Pro M1
Software version: 64-bit, 4.4.4-243461245

Given the fact that it's 2025 and not 2007 (when I last had this type of performance issue in Finale), I'm confused as to why this could possibly be a difficult task for my fairly powerful computer. I'm hoping someone can help me fix the issue. I've read threads here and on Reddit and they have not helped. Thank you!