Hm. I’ve got a basic 5.1 setup via sound bar and have dialed center up to max. It sorta works, but it makes the “surround” a lot less impactful because of the disproportionate levels (eg explosions straight ahead still boom).

I always though this was a deliberate mixing decision for “immersion”

This. It’s also mixing that’s intended to be “immersive”; explosions are meant to make you shit your pants while conversations are meant to be at the same level as someone in the room with you.

Not ideal for apartment dwellers with no insulation in their walls or floors, like myself.