Hello again Docks and Robert-
Docks, this is mainly for you, but purely as food for thought, as this is strictly based on my own experience. Take it for what it's worth...
I currently have three two-channel systems running in the house. Each follows a distincly different approach speaker-wise, from fairly standard direct radiators, to a controlled directivity approach, to the dipole approach.
The direct radiator speakers are small sealed monitors with a pair of sealed subs, with far more powerful amps driving than probably required. Positioning in relation to room boundaries is the most flexible of the three approaches. The system is mercilessly revealing, dynamic, and manages to pull off the 'speaker disappearing act'. Pardon the subjective description, but it is akin to a 1080p high def video presentation, but somewhat two-dimentional.
The 'controlled directivity' approach (and keep in mind this is only the half assed stuff I can afford for such experimentation) requires attention to boundaries, simply because the speakers require the reinforcement for low frequencies. To continue the subjective analogies, they produce an IMAX like presentation of the sound, bigger and badder than my direct radiators, but still somewhat two dimentional. (In it's favor, it can crank so loud you are literally envoloped in sound. Not perfect, but awfully fun...this system gets a lot of use.)
The bipolar system is the closest I presently have to producing the 'musicians in the room with you' spookiness. I've got mine almost 3' from the back wall, the 'disappearing act' is almost unavoidable, and whatever flaws may be there, it's extremely musically enjoyable.
The next experiment will be an open baffle design...can't wait to begin that one!
As the two-channel-centric freak of nature I am, my preferences may differ from yours, but hopefully this is interesting food for thought if nothing else. If two channel is your intended use and you have the room, I would recommend the bipolars. Plus, if you are going to limit yourself to direct radiator type speakers, the Mythos occupy a price range that includes lots of great alternatives.
Good luck, Docks, and let us know how it goes.