So today is release day for RF:G on the PC. If you have a 5.1 (or better) sound system, and likely Windows Vista (or later) you have already run into an issue with the game. It appears as if the 5.1 sound system doesn't actually work properly in this game. What you've likely heard is all the sound, coming from everywhere around you playing through your front speakers at their maximum volume. This is clearly not what the developers intended. 
 
At this point in time the only solution that seems to work, is to put your computer into 2 channel mode and play it in stereo for the time being. Someone on the official forums said that he got it to work right by fiddling with settings while in the game, but I have yet to see any positive results come from this course of action.  
 
No word from the Volition as of yet, but hopefully this will be resolved soon. Stay tuned for more updates.

Yep, happens on XP as well with this X-Fi XtremeGamer card I have. Really doesn't bother me all that much though.

" @ColumnBreaker: It doesn't bother you that all the sound is distorted/overloaded, and every sound (even ones that are far away) sound like they are happening right next to you?  "

No, I don't mind switching to stereo. It's fine, in stereo, really. It is incredibly obnoxious in 5.1.