"I do kinda wonder why the left channel is physically on the right and vice-versa. Seems very backwards. You'd think you'd want the binding post for a given speaker to be as close as possible."

I believe its that way so when its set up, and the front is facing forward (in a rack, etc)-the Right binding post would be on the right (as you look at it)and the Left binding post would be on the left.

I know that this works nicely when you can't see the back of the Amp (in my case the 7500) and must make connections by feel (which I do often on my setup-no room behind rack).....