I've had the same mixing issue with Protocol. My brother and I tried to listen to it in the car and the breakroom sections were incomprehensible. I personally find that if I turn it up loud on my portable speaker while I'm washing dishes at midnight, and have the speaker right near me, I can hear it. But I do go back and read the transcripts every so often.

I do think it's doing things that are different. I would recommend at least sticking it out through the one with Isaac Newton and seeing how you feel -- it's clear that this world operates differently, metaphysically, than TMA's does, and that they're going somewhere different. The Fears certainly don't operate the same way, if they even exist here. I also enjoy two specific overarching elements/themes which I won't spoil unless requested, but they are also being handled differently than TMA.

ETA: I forgot to say, I hope your covid case continues to be mild and resolves quickly!