The laptop I have Zorin 17 on never had another other OS and I'm wondering if the hollow sound I hear could just be the hardware or missing software? Is there some way to do some testing other than just trying to update/change the sound drivers?
What is your terminal output for
sudo lshw -C multimedia
Hollow Sound usually is a software configuration issue, not a hardware issue.
Do You have that with every Audio Output Device (built-in Speakers, Headphones, external Speakers) or only with one specific Device? And did You compare cable-connected Devices with wireless Devices? And happens that with every Program that You use or only with specific one's?