[Sonnie]

Yeah... the dyed oak is fine. I'm really not that particular about the type of material finish as I would be the color and sheen. It's usually dark in there anyway... just as long I don't get glare. You figure that wide and probably fairly deep of a center right beneath the screen could be problematic if glossy. So a dyed oak with satin poly sounds like it should work fine.

I don't mind the speakers being taller or in the case of the center, wider for ports or whatever is necessary. I can get the width of my cabinet and as long as we stay within that we should be fine there too.

I think I agree on the larger drivers. I would really rather have more than adequate in case I increase the size of my room one day. You never can tell about me. I've threatened building a bigger room several times.