diff --git a/agents.md b/agents.md
index 391b4f2..edfde78 100644
--- a/agents.md
+++ b/agents.md
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Keys (subset):
 
 - `mute` (bool, default false)
 
-- `sound_cooldown_ms` (int, default 150)
+- `sound_cooldown_ms` (deprecated; retained for backwards compatibility)
 
 - `max_concurrent_playbacks` (int, default 16)
 
@@ -168,7 +168,8 @@ Keys (subset):
 
 - **Keyboard**: physical keydown triggers → enqueue sound (polyphonic) + badge spawn (rate‑limited).
 
-- **Audio**: debounce via `sound_cooldown_ms`; never cut playing voices; LRU drop when > `max_concurrent_playbacks`.
+- **Audio**: rely on voice pooling/`max_concurrent_playbacks`; legacy `sound_cooldown_ms` is deprecated. Never cut playing voices beyond
+  the configured limit (use LRU eviction).
 
 - **Overlay**: click‑through, topmost, no focus change; GL render loop targets display refresh (auto detect; fallback 60 FPS). Back‑pressure if active badges >150; resume at <80.
 
diff --git a/lizard.json.sample b/lizard.json.sample
index 46c6e12..45e409c 100644
--- a/lizard.json.sample
+++ b/lizard.json.sample
@@ -5,11 +5,10 @@
   // Mute all audio output (default: false)
   "mute": false,
 
-  // Minimum milliseconds between sound plays (default: 150)
-  "sound_cooldown_ms": 150,
-
   // Maximum simultaneous sound playbacks (default: 16)
   "max_concurrent_playbacks": 16,
+  // Legacy setting `sound_cooldown_ms` is deprecated and ignored; remove it
+  // from existing configs to rely on voice pooling and max_concurrent_playbacks.
 
   // Limit on badge spawns per second and maximum badges visible at once
   // (oldest badges are dropped when exceeded, default: 12)
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index ebf05f5..4597a13 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -94,7 +94,8 @@ Copy this file to `lizard.json` and edit as needed.
 Common options include:
 
 - `enabled` and `mute` to toggle overlay and audio
-- `sound_cooldown_ms` and `max_concurrent_playbacks` to manage audio bursts
+- `max_concurrent_playbacks` to manage audio bursts (legacy `sound_cooldown_ms`
+  is deprecated and ignored)
 - `badges_per_second_max`, `badge_min_px`, `badge_max_px` to tune visuals
 - `fullscreen_pause` to suspend in full-screen apps
 - `exclude_processes` to ignore specific executables
diff --git a/spec.md b/spec.md
index e22074b..211d91c 100644
--- a/spec.md
+++ b/spec.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Most third-party libs are vendored in `third_party/` as source (no dynamic DLLs)
 
 * On any keypress (including repeats):
 
-  * **Sound**: play once if at least `sound_cooldown_ms` elapsed since last trigger (default 150 ms).
+  * **Sound**: always trigger playback; bursts are limited by `max_concurrent_playbacks` via voice pooling.
   * **Badge**: spawn 1 circular badge at a random screen location (or near caret if available; see §11), limited by `badges_per_second_max` (default 12).
 * **Badge visuals**:
 
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ Most third-party libs are vendored in `third_party/` as source (no dynamic DLLs)
 
 * **Default**: miniaudio (WASAPI shared), decoded PCM cached in RAM.
 * Low latency play calls; allow overlap (polyphony) up to `max_concurrent_playbacks` (default 16).
-* **Debounce** using `sound_cooldown_ms`.
+* Legacy `sound_cooldown_ms` is deprecated; voice pooling/LRU handles burst control.
 * **Volume** 0–100% (default 65%).
 * If device changes, auto-reinit.
 
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ Most third-party libs are vendored in `third_party/` as source (no dynamic DLLs)
 
   * `enabled` (bool, default true)
   * `mute` (bool, default false)
-  * `sound_cooldown_ms` (int, default 150)
+  * `sound_cooldown_ms` (deprecated; retained for backwards compatibility)
   * `max_concurrent_playbacks` (int, default 16)
   * `badges_per_second_max` (int, default 12)
   * `badge_min_px` / `badge_max_px` (int, default 60/108)
diff --git a/src/app/config.cpp b/src/app/config.cpp
index 0bf147d..f6705eb 100644
--- a/src/app/config.cpp
+++ b/src/app/config.cpp
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ std::filesystem::path Config::user_config_path() {
 void Config::load(std::unique_lock<std::shared_mutex> &lock) {
   (void)lock; // lock is held by caller
   logging_path_ = config_path_.parent_path() / "lizard.log";
+  sound_cooldown_ms_ = 0;
   std::ifstream in(config_path_);
   if (!in.is_open()) {
     spdlog::warn("Could not open config file: {}", config_path_.string());
@@ -119,7 +120,13 @@ void Config::load(std::unique_lock<std::shared_mutex> &lock) {
       return value;
     };
 
-    sound_cooldown_ms_ = clamp_nonneg(j.value("sound_cooldown_ms", 150), "sound_cooldown_ms");
+    if (j.contains("sound_cooldown_ms")) {
+      int requested = clamp_nonneg(j.value("sound_cooldown_ms", 0), "sound_cooldown_ms");
+      if (requested > 0) {
+        spdlog::warn(
+            "sound_cooldown_ms is deprecated and ignored; bursts are limited by max_concurrent_playbacks");
+      }
+    }
     max_concurrent_playbacks_ =
         clamp_nonneg(j.value("max_concurrent_playbacks", 16), "max_concurrent_playbacks");
     badges_per_second_max_ =
diff --git a/src/app/config.h b/src/app/config.h
index 12f22a5..69b0fce 100644
--- a/src/app/config.h
+++ b/src/app/config.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ class Config {
   std::vector<std::string> emoji_pngs() const;
   std::optional<std::filesystem::path> sound_path() const;
   std::optional<std::filesystem::path> emoji_atlas() const;
+  // Deprecated: retained for compatibility; always returns 0.
   int sound_cooldown_ms() const;
   int max_concurrent_playbacks() const;
   int badges_per_second_max() const;
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ class Config {
   // config values
   bool enabled_{true};
   bool mute_{false};
-  int sound_cooldown_ms_{150};
+  int sound_cooldown_ms_{0};
   int max_concurrent_playbacks_{16};
   int badges_per_second_max_{12};
   int badge_min_px_{60};
diff --git a/src/app/main.cpp b/src/app/main.cpp
index 12ad65a..ba90654 100644
--- a/src/app/main.cpp
+++ b/src/app/main.cpp
@@ -57,8 +57,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
                      : static_cast<std::size_t>(cfg.logging_worker_count());
   lizard::util::init_logging(level, queue, workers, cfg.logging_path());
 
-  lizard::audio::Engine engine(static_cast<std::uint32_t>(cfg.max_concurrent_playbacks()),
-                               std::chrono::milliseconds(cfg.sound_cooldown_ms()));
+  lizard::audio::Engine engine(static_cast<std::uint32_t>(cfg.max_concurrent_playbacks()));
   engine.init(cfg.sound_path(), cfg.volume_percent(), cfg.audio_backend(),
               static_cast<std::uint32_t>(cfg.max_concurrent_playbacks()));
 
diff --git a/src/audio/engine.cpp b/src/audio/engine.cpp
index f458fa1..54debb0 100644
--- a/src/audio/engine.cpp
+++ b/src/audio/engine.cpp
@@ -88,8 +88,7 @@ void Engine::endpoint_callback(ma_context *, ma_device_type deviceType,
   self->set_volume_locked(currentVol);
 }
 
-Engine::Engine(std::uint32_t maxPlaybacks, std::chrono::milliseconds cooldown)
-    : m_maxPlaybacks(maxPlaybacks), m_cooldown(cooldown) {}
+Engine::Engine(std::uint32_t maxPlaybacks) : m_maxPlaybacks(maxPlaybacks) {}
 
 Engine::~Engine() { shutdown(); }
 
@@ -195,10 +194,6 @@ void Engine::shutdown() {
 void Engine::play() {
   std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(m_mutex);
   auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
-  if ((now - m_lastPlay) < m_cooldown) {
-    return;
-  }
-  m_lastPlay = now;
 
   Voice *target = nullptr;
   for (auto &voice : m_voices) {
diff --git a/src/audio/engine.h b/src/audio/engine.h
index c936936..3730bed 100644
--- a/src/audio/engine.h
+++ b/src/audio/engine.h
@@ -21,8 +21,7 @@ namespace lizard::audio {
 
 class Engine {
 public:
-  Engine(std::uint32_t maxPlaybacks = 16,
-         std::chrono::milliseconds cooldown = std::chrono::milliseconds(150));
+  Engine(std::uint32_t maxPlaybacks = 16);
   ~Engine();
 
   bool init(std::optional<std::filesystem::path> sound_path = std::nullopt,
@@ -47,8 +46,6 @@ class Engine {
   ma_audio_buffer m_buffer{};
   std::vector<Voice> m_voices;
   std::uint32_t m_maxPlaybacks = 0;
-  std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point m_lastPlay{};
-  std::chrono::milliseconds m_cooldown{};
   float m_volume{1.0f};
   std::optional<std::filesystem::path> m_soundPath{};
   int m_volumePercent{100};
diff --git a/src/tests/audio_tests.cpp b/src/tests/audio_tests.cpp
index e845670..38cbbb5 100644
--- a/src/tests/audio_tests.cpp
+++ b/src/tests/audio_tests.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 #include <catch2/catch_test_macros.hpp>
 #include <chrono>
-#include <thread>
 
 int g_start_calls = 0;
 int g_stop_calls = 0;
@@ -18,8 +17,6 @@ struct AudioTestAccess {
   }
 };
 
-using namespace std::chrono_literals;
-
 TEST_CASE("max_concurrent_playbacks respected", "[audio]") {
   lizard::audio::Engine eng;
   AudioTestAccess::voices(eng).resize(16);
@@ -43,8 +40,8 @@ TEST_CASE("max_concurrent_playbacks respected", "[audio]") {
   REQUIRE(playing == 16);
 }
 
-TEST_CASE("cooldown prevents rapid retriggers", "[audio]") {
-  lizard::audio::Engine eng(1, 50ms);
+TEST_CASE("play retriggers immediately", "[audio]") {
+  lizard::audio::Engine eng(1);
   AudioTestAccess::voices(eng).resize(1);
 
   g_start_calls = 0;
@@ -52,9 +49,8 @@ TEST_CASE("cooldown prevents rapid retriggers", "[audio]") {
 
   eng.play();
   eng.play();
-  REQUIRE(g_start_calls == 1);
-
-  std::this_thread::sleep_for(60ms);
   eng.play();
-  REQUIRE(g_start_calls == 2);
+
+  REQUIRE(g_start_calls == 3);
+  REQUIRE(g_stop_calls == 2);
 }
diff --git a/src/tests/config_tests.cpp b/src/tests/config_tests.cpp
index 123f0c7..e7d8b9d 100644
--- a/src/tests/config_tests.cpp
+++ b/src/tests/config_tests.cpp
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ TEST_CASE("logs warnings for adjusted values", "[config]") {
   auto tempdir = std::filesystem::temp_directory_path();
   auto cfg_file = tempdir / "lizard_cfg_warn.json";
   std::ofstream out(cfg_file);
-  out << R"({"sound_cooldown_ms":-5,"badge_min_px":-2,"badge_max_px":-1,"volume_percent":150})";
+  out << R"({"sound_cooldown_ms":150,"badge_min_px":-2,"badge_max_px":-1,"volume_percent":150})";
   out.close();
 
   auto sink = std::make_shared<spdlog::sinks::ringbuffer_sink_mt>(32);
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ TEST_CASE("logs warnings for adjusted values", "[config]") {
   bool saw_badge_max = false;
   bool saw_volume = false;
   for (const auto &line : sink->last_formatted()) {
-    if (line.find("sound_cooldown_ms") != std::string::npos)
+    if (line.find("sound_cooldown_ms is deprecated") != std::string::npos)
       saw_sound = true;
     if (line.find("badge_min_px") != std::string::npos)
       saw_badge_min = true;