Whipping up a pitcher of 'ritas sounds like a great start.

I have checked the obvious things like phasing, crossover, speaker connections etc. The room is very difficult -- a rectangle where the system is on the short side. The electronics are on the left side of the fireplace, the TV is on the right. Until I get the greenlight to hire a cabinet maker, there is no way to put everything on one side. The 12g speaker wire runs through the mantle -- measures approx 10 ft. The front LR speakers are wall mounted using nice mounts, about 6 feet apart. This speaker placement is the best I've found to date. No sub at this time.

Little Lena wrote:
"Lastly what DVD player are you using there was some issue with pioneer branded players as regards (?-something) in combination with this AVR. I’ll try to look up what review I read on it that mentioned these topics."

Wow. As a matter of fact, I have the Pioneer Elite DV-05. I never in a million years would have guessed that could be the problem -- any info you have on that would be most appreciated.

Also -- I have not calibrated with a SPL meter, I'll give it a try this next time around. The MA speakers are supposed to be 8 ohms -- I have an elcheapo ohm meter. Do you get a accurate reading by holding the leads on the speaker poles?

I'll look up this programmable remote. Good idea about her programming it. She has mastered programming the superdeluxe thermostat -- I won't touch the thing now.

Any comments on the 950? Any opinions where I should start first, that is, replace the AVR or the speakers?

Thanks for the replies, it's great to be discussing this with folks who appreciate this kind of stuff.