Ok, I can't comment on the bass management for the rear center since I haven't gone that route quite yet BUT:
Query #2: I do notice(and it's annoying sometime) when going back & forth to menu options(very noticeable in Shrek) that it cuts out the first few seconds of audio. For instance in Sleeping Beauty when the interactive game is being played it cuts off the first few seconds of the responses because it switches from 5.1 to DD. It's worth the trade-out for the quality of the sound IMHO.
Query 3#: You're right about the modes. They all sound about the same to me unless you really crank it up. But then again I never use those modes since the artists intend for their music to be listened to unaffected.
Did these few things make me wanna return my Outlaw? NO WAY! I can deal with a few quirks.
Eric