Randy, on the center channel question, I don't know why the speakers would be "much closer" than downstairs if you're going to be sitting about 14' back. It would seem that a separation of 12' or so would still be desirable. Regardless of the amount of separation, the phantom center image will be directly in front of someone sitting in the middle and will move to the left or right to still be in front of him when he's not in the middle. It won't move any farther out than the speaker on that side.
