I think sound is as good as I can get it.

display.py

@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ def initialize_gui(gameTitle):
     if not pygame.mixer.get_init():
         pygame.mixer.pre_init(44100, -16, 2, 4096, allowedchanges=0)
         pygame.mixer.init()
-        pygame.mixer.set_num_channels(64)
-        pygame.mixer.set_reserved(16)  # Reserve channels 0-15 for priority sounds (cutscenes, obj_play)
+        pygame.mixer.set_num_channels(48)
+        pygame.mixer.set_reserved(1)  # Reserve channel 0 for cutscenes only
 
     # Enable key repeat for volume controls
     pygame.key.set_repeat(500, 100)

sound.py

@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ class Sound:
         if not pygame.mixer.get_init():
             pygame.mixer.pre_init(44100, -16, 2, 4096, allowedchanges=0)
             pygame.mixer.init()
-            pygame.mixer.set_num_channels(64)
-            pygame.mixer.set_reserved(16)  # Reserve channels 0-15 for priority sounds (cutscenes, obj_play)
+            pygame.mixer.set_num_channels(48)
+            pygame.mixer.set_reserved(1)  # Reserve channel 0 for cutscenes only
 
         self.load_sounds()
 
@@ -537,7 +537,9 @@ def obj_update(channel, playerPos, objPos):
 def obj_stop(channel):
     """Stop a sound channel."""
     if channel:
-        try: channel.stop()
+        try:
+            channel.stop()
+            pygame.event.pump()  # Force pygame to update channel state immediately
         except: pass
     return None
 
@@ -578,8 +580,8 @@ def play_priority_sound(sound_or_name, volume=1.0, loop=False, playerPos=None, o
         return None
 
 # Extremely concise lambda definitions for legacy functions
-obj_play = lambda sounds, soundName, playerPos, objPos, loop=True: play_priority_sound(
-    soundName, 1.0, loop, playerPos, objPos, None, sounds)
+obj_play = lambda sounds, soundName, playerPos, objPos, loop=True: play_sound(
+    soundName, 1.0, loop, playerPos, objPos, None, False, False, False, False, sounds)
 
 play_ambiance = lambda sounds, soundNames, probability, randomLocation=False: play_sound(
     random.choice(soundNames) if random.randint(1, 100) <= probability and not any(

utils.py

@@ -151,8 +151,8 @@ class Game:
         # Set up audio system
         pygame.mixer.pre_init(44100, -16, 2, 1024, allowedchanges=0)
         pygame.mixer.init()
-        pygame.mixer.set_num_channels(64)
-        pygame.mixer.set_reserved(16)  # Reserve channels 0-15 for priority sounds (cutscenes, obj_play)
+        pygame.mixer.set_num_channels(48)
+        pygame.mixer.set_reserved(1)  # Reserve channel 0 for cutscenes only
 
         # Enable key repeat for volume controls
         pygame.key.set_repeat(500, 100)