MacBook Pro has no center channel audio via HDMI to AVR

Question

Level 1

17 points

MacBook Pro has no center channel audio via HDMI to AVR

2024 M4 MacBook Pro, Sequoia 15.6.1 (just updated), stream video and audio via HDMI to Anthem AVR. Just a few days ago my MacBook Pro stopped sending audio to the center channel in a 5.1 speaker configuration. Using Audio Midi I can get test noise to play in all 4 other speakers but not the center. Happens with all apps and websites. Satellite TV box plays center channel just fine. I have logged out of and reopened all apps, rebooted the machine, checked for updates. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: MacBook Pro no center channel audio

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Sep 3, 2025 08:34 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

88,792 points

Sep 4, 2025 07:56 AM in response to THiNC5

In addition to the other troubleshooting steps that you have already tried..

Try starting up in Safe Mode and test, then restart and re-test.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

If this happened before or sometime after the 15.6.1 update...?

Try replacing the HDMI cable with short high quality cable.

If it happened immediately after the 15.6.1 update...?

Best bet is to send feedback directly to Apple.

Feedback - MacBook Pro - Apple

Feedback - macOS - Apple

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Answer 2

THiNC5 Author

Level 1

17 points

Sep 4, 2025 01:57 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks den.thed. Problem started before my recent OS update. Did safe mode, switched HDMI cables, didn't work. BUT, came to find out that the channel mapping in Audio Midi has changed with Apple chips and the Center speaker is now Channel 4 and the Lfe/Sub speaker is now channel 3. So my test tones were confusing me. Have you heard of this, does this make sense? I've switched them and I'll watch/listen to a few things to see if that fixes it.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

88,792 points

Sep 4, 2025 02:09 PM in response to THiNC5

You’re welcome.

I personally have never had the mapping change.

Good work, glad to hear that you found and fixed the issue.

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