Oh hell yes. However I won't bother going past 5.1 setup in my smaller setup 55" monitor.
I agree, a lot of streamed content sounds better when I switch the AVR to 2 channel.
Blu-Ray/DVD programming separates center channel info, that is just missing if you don't have center channel speakers.
rear, just loud enough that you are unaware until you turn them off. Black Hawk Down, they are key in many scenes.
Sub, I keep it low, but it kicks in for Jurassic Park.