Broadstone, FWIW re stereo v mono, one of the differences that you hear when you are listening in mono is that in mono you are not getting reproduction of the out of phase information in the recording which will appear in stereo playback, and is one of the things that enlarges the sense of space. Add to that enlargement, the back wave from dipoles and you can get an overly expanded stage (which some folks like, some not so much). When you go to conventional box speaker, properly set up, you can get a very accurate reproduction of the performance and venue. If accuracy is what you want! And therein lays most of the difference in preferences for speaker design.
FWIW, careful set up of well designed conventional speakers in a good room can improves on anything that dipoles can do. IMHO, dipoles survive mostly because they do enhance the soundstage effects many folks are unable to achieve using conventional speakers. It is just easier to get, so long as you are not too critical. If you are a critical listener, you may find that proper set up of dipoles can be a real bear.
FWIW, careful set up of well designed conventional speakers in a good room can improves on anything that dipoles can do. IMHO, dipoles survive mostly because they do enhance the soundstage effects many folks are unable to achieve using conventional speakers. It is just easier to get, so long as you are not too critical. If you are a critical listener, you may find that proper set up of dipoles can be a real bear.