Just called 4 local gtr centers in hopes of hearing the MSP7. None have it in stock. Is it an older model than the HS-series? On a positive note: ordered my computer from Jim Roseberry today. Did it over the phone---seemed like a knowledgeable patient guy.

No they are all the latest models. Retail store often only seem to stock what sells the most. Rare you can walk in and try every model of any particular brand. 
One thing you can do is order from Sweetwater and return them if your not happy. 
That doesn't work for me in Canada. I have to pay duty at the border and it's a hassle to get that part back from the Feds. 
 
Thanks once again Steve, Your correct that that comparison shows everything very clearly. You figure Yamaha would have a better web site.. I don't even see links for the owners manuals which is something I often download while shopping. I was curious what Yamaha say's about rear port distances, but I thing you've sold me on looking at the MSP series. 

Yamaha Manuals and other downloads here http://download.yamaha.com/top/?site=usa.yamaha.com&language=en
 

Guitar Center retail stores are the worst place to buy recording gear. As Johnny notes, they are the 7-11 of music stores, stocking many inexpensive products with large margins that appeal to the gullible. Of course, you can get pretty much anything from their online store, as well as from their sibling Musician's Friend. (They are not your friend, btw, but they often have the lowest prices.) Check around and see if there are other local retailers that maybe you don't know about; you might be surprised. 
 
If buying from a local retailer isn't possible, Sweetwater is highly recommended. I've only had a couple issues over the many years I've been a customer (e.g. a keyboard case that didn't fit my synth and cost me $93 to ship back) but overall they've been helpful and customer-oriented.
 
But I still recommend trying the used market first. Guitar Center does have a used gear section on their website that you might want to check out. Craigslist is another avenue, Reverb.com is another.

Thanks!  By-the-way, here is some (bench-test)  info on MSP7: You may need to type url.
 
https://www.resolutionmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Yamaha-MSP7-Studio.pdf  
 

Follow-up. I bought the Yamaha MSP7s and was missing lows (sans subwoofer) and also missing something in the mids. That's ---just me.
 
I ended up settling on AdamA7Xs and love them.
 
 Sweetwater is always so nice, I don't think I'm gonna ask to return them (MSP7)   (8 weeks late, though they do bend the rules)...so, they are for sale.
 
thanks again for your input guys!