If your Arena 7 speakers sound like they're only playing in stereo while watching YouTube, Twitch, Netflix, or other browser-based content—don't worry, your speakers are working as intended.
Why does this happen?
Most modern web browsers only output 2-channel stereo audio. Even if the original video or movie was mixed in surround sound, the browser typically downmixes it to stereo before sending it to your PC. Since the Arena 7 can only reproduce the audio signal it receives, surround channels aren't available when the source is stereo.
Can I get surround sound?
Absolutely! Provided the content and application support it.
For true multi-channel surround audio, you'll need:
- A game that outputs 5.1 surround sound.
- A media player or application that supports multi-channel audio playback.
- Windows configured for 5.1 speakers (if applicable).
Good to know: This behavior is a limitation of the browser's audio output, not the Arena 7 hardware. If you're only hearing stereo while streaming in a browser, your speakers are functioning normally.