2 way vs 3 way / Monitors vs. Floorstanding

the fewer the crossovers the better so go with a two way or a no crossover system. Book shelf speakers have the advantage of easier placement (ceiling, wall) assuming they are not too large/heavy. Having to acquire correct speaker stands runs up the cost as opposed to floor standing.

Bookshelf: easier to package and move!

floor standing model might make a bit better bass than comparable bookshelf speakers

You really cannot make an overall generalization about if one type (bookshelf vs floor standing) is "better" as there are plenty of examples in each category from a coupla hundred bucks to over a hundred large (for the floor standers anyway).

I'd give my left cojone for a Royal Device Diana bookshelf but they go for 15 large a pair; nice little speakers. I settled for Galante Rhapsody.

hosehead....omega offers some fine speakers with 6" and 8" drivers that provide excellent bass for a moniter..these are not tiny speakers but the real thing..most expensive one is 1500, too. A nice pair can be had for 799 (Grande 6).

Be warned there is a long break in period for single driver speakers.