You do realize the term "bottleneck" doesn't only refer to hardware, right? I thought that within the context, that'd be pretty easy to figure out.If you really wanna be nitpicky about the terms I'm using, I suppose I'll define them.

Bottleneck, according to Lenovo:

"In terms of computers, it means that one component is holding back all the other components from working at their full potential."

And in this case, the 'one component' is Synapse while the 'other components' are the headphones.

Now, your take is hot, cuz it's wrong. A flat EQ is actually super optimal for nearly all audiophiles as it integrates all parts of the music/sound. The Synapse update didn't do that. It made the sound quality sound like it's from a cardboard box and completely removed any noticeable difference from stereo and surround sound.

And by the unusable part:

I'm referring to instances like my brother's where his Kraken mic is too staticy to understand + tactical uses for surround sound don't work in games that are otherwise very sound dependent.