Hey Jtk27, what receiver are you planning to use? If you are planning to use Onkyo you could save a bit of money by getting bookshelf speakers up front and then listening to music through "All Channel Stereo." It's more enveloping then listening to stereo out of FL and FR speakers. If, however, you're diehard in listening in stereo I suggest getting towers.
I have preferred listening in all channel mode although I was surprised last night when I was fooling around and switched to stereo...now that my 5T's have played for >100 hrs they sound really really different. Much better, although the sound isn't as good as all channel which makes you feel like you're in the performance. In retrospect I could send back my 5T's and swap them for 5B's and probably hear no difference in movie or all channel BUT I just love the look of the towers. So much for aperion, they won't be getting my towers back. :)
Now a question for the gurus. A friend of mine asked me about putting speakers in a room that is ~20x60ft (1200sq ft). I was thinking of suggesting an 805, which I thought was the safest bet, however I'm interested in the outlaw players. Although they're a bit more expensive do you think it'd be better to go with a separate pre-amp/amp using outlaws, the 805 plus an external amp, or 805 alone? Since its an apartment building they won't need to be listening very loud, just want to make sure there's enough power to drive everything. I was thinking 5T's, 5C, with 5B's surround and possibly 4B's rear surrounds. They won't be doing it for a bit, they just wanted to get a feel for what they should be looking for.
Speakers: Aperion 6T's, 6C, 4B's, and 8D
Receivers: Onkyo 805 and Pioneer SX-1050
DVD player: Oppo 981HD
TT: Pioneer PL-71
Amp Selector: Niles DPS-1