8 feet is too far front.

If you liked the envelopment and presentation at 14w and 17mlp, stick with that.

Mine are 8" from the ceiling and 10 deg in front and they sound great.

12-13 feet MLP might be too close for the 14w. Try it. I bet you'll find the M100s get in the way of themselves and create an acoustic shadow at the left and right extremes of the soundstage.

House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated