Just how many options does 1 need in a 2 way bookshelf design?

@kokakolia 

From 5" +/- to 6"-7"ish

The wide dispersion characteristics of those small mid/woofers were actually a detriment to sound quality. Taking the driver size up a notch, thus intentionally limiting dispersion actually produced more detail, focus and imaging in the average room than the smaller diameter drivers. Thus was born the next generation of polite British 2-way monitors.

I could see some truth to it. The design of Tannoy HDF series from Eaton (10"), Cheviot (12") to Arden (15") may carry that trend.  These speakers do not throw huge soundstage like B&W (take 805s as an example) but focused in image.  

Graham LS5/8.  It may not look it, but that's a 12" woofer.

And now something old that's new from Wharfedale (Dovedale), with a 10" woofer.

Interestingly, the original 3-way Dovedale (1960) uses 12" woofer.  Honey i shrunk the Dove ...

https://www.petervis.com/gallery/Vintage%20Advertisements/wharfedale-hi-fi/wharfedale-dovedale-3.html

If I understand the posters question three way are not necessarily better than two way speakers. However, IMO three way multiple speakers in a tower likely have greater dynamics for a live sound in a high quality speakers vs a bookshelf two way speaker.