Prob with Audigy 2 ZS and 4.1 speakers

1st, make sure 4.1 is selected in the audigy speaker settings and check the little box that says "Synchronize with Control Panel." This will make sure that both windows and the audigy know it's 4.1.

2nd, with stereo audio sources (this includes most .mp3, .avi, .mpg, etc. files), you SHOULD only hear the front speakers. With DVDs you have to make sure that you aren't getting the stereo audio, which you normally will be by default. For example, in PowerDVD, you need to turn on SPDIF audio out (even if you are not using SPDIF) to let the audigy decode the audio for you. Also, if you want to hear stereo audio sources from all of the speakers, turn on CMSS in the audigy settings. Just keep in mind that this is not true 4.1 audio. The front channel is merely duplicated on the rear one.