My gear:
Axiom M22 Mansfield Beech with tan grill
QS8 surrounds
VP150 center
Hsu VTF-2 sub
Samsung HLN617W
HK 525 receiver
Motorola 5100 from my cable company
Panasonic CP72S DVD player

The distance from the middle seat of the three seater is 15 feet to the front speakers; Right surround is 9 feet and left surround is 10 feet. VTF-2 is in the right corner below the palm tree. The db levels are 10 db for both front speakers, center and left surround. Right surround is 8 db. I used the HK autocalibration for the delay times.

1. I am thrilled with the M22s in this setup. I was afraid of the same thing, but along with the sub, the imaging is great. By the way, I emailed Dr. Hsu and he suggested I place the sub in that corner. Surround effects are wonderful. I just watched "Basic" movie last night. It is unbelievable.

2. I cannot change the position of the seats (WAF, you know). I had to pay for the sofa table to cover the back of the sofa for placing the sofa at an angle instead of to the wall. The center table is really huge and there is no other place I can put it. In addition, apparently if I cram the seats closer, the "ambience" and "openness" will suffer (according to my wife). I do not see the need for it though. The setup sounds pretty good as it is.

3. The left wall (20 feet) is a wall of windows.My wife is planning to hang sheers along the windows and wants to keep them open. So there is enormous ambient light, hence no front projection. Also, the room opens into breakfast area and kitchen, so I cannot control the light. However, I have the permission to build a custom home theater in our basement and do whatever I want with it. I was going to put a front projection screen there. This was supposed to be a setup for family viewing and as stop gap for me. Now I am wondering if it is worth building another one. I hardly have the time to watch this setup. So, that is up in the air. I am praying I will be able to find enough time to justify the dedicated setup.

4. By the way, the 61" DLP is awesome! I thought DVD is as good as it gets. And then I saw Fifth element in HD on HBO and I was literally blown away.

Ravi