Why thank you Bobby.
I find 7.1 quite effective if you have a good processor/reciever that does a good job of converting 5.1 material into 7.1. Logic7 of the HK or Lexicon line does a great job, but there are others as well. I think the improvement over 5.1 is subjective. If you have a larger room it helps, especially if you have more than one row of seating.
The center stand is made by Sanus and was ordered at Crutchfield online. I'm very happy with it- and recommend it highly.
Here is a link to the stands available at Crutchfield:
Crutchfield center speaker stands
