Is a home theater even worth it or doable?

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.

My Sister-In-Law house/dog sits for people while they travel ...

Many wealthy, larger spaces, bigger Monitors.

I am flabbergasted by the poor audio, it just boggles your mind. Aside from poor speaker choices, the placement, echos, hollow spots, OMG. Center channel speakers in odd places; fl/fr spaced wide, flat in walls, imaging off center problematic, let's not mention Monitors above Fireplaces.

Lousy light control (harder in large rooms).

Most are unable to explain how the system works to her before they leave, she often waits for me to visit just to get regular TV going. Then afraid to change anything.

Monster TVs, with Sound bars, 

..................................

AV consultants and I used to design high tech boardrooms, with custom remotes, tried to make it usable for brilliant executives. Eventually only 1 wiz kid from Special Projects ... could operate the damn thing. It's the same, brilliantly dumb.

IOW, RTFM, learn the fundamentals yourself, so you can figure it out/reset when something goes amis which is not if but when.