Lets say you had a theater with an acoustically transparent screen. I understand that vertical centers are better then horizontal so if it is possible to buy is there any reason why you wouldn't have an identical speaker to your right and lefts behind the screen?

Absolutely.

I believe you can buy most any speaker that Axiom sells as an individual.

Three M80s across the front would be ideal and you know that pictures are most certainly a must around here, right?

Yep, if you go to the individual product page for any speaker model underneath the two yellow rectangular "add to cart" and "customize yours" boxes, you will see in smaller print "OR add single speaker to cart".

Right on !

I wonder how many other manufacturers let you purchase their floorstanding speakers each? Anyone know of any others for reference?

I am doing an AT screen in my current home theater build, but I opted for a VP180 center channel as an upgrade from my VP150. I could have gone with another M60 from to match my others and it would have been cheaper, but I've learned too many times that what you plan for today may not be the same in the future, and my next home theater may not have an AT screen, so I will need a horizontal center channel.

Ideally, yes, vertical matching fronts is best.

Over the years, from time to time, whether it is internet only companies or retailers, if it is a model that normally comes in pairs(bookshelf or floor standing), although they might exist, from my own extensive experience in this area, Axiom is the ONLY company that I have ever seen that will sell you an individual speaker as a normal part of their business model let alone one that you may want in the special custom finish.

They stand apart with this neat feature.

Aperion has their speakers by the each, so I'm sure others do, too.

Hunh. I've seen a lot (at least from less than savory retailers) priced as "each." Can you not actually purchase those as singles?

It would seem Aperion will sell individual speakers, however, like Axiom, they are an Internet Only direct selling operation. Just try it with a retailer, I have, with no luck whatsoever. I dunno, but when it comes to individual pricing on a lot of this stuff, from my experience, it is done generally on the more expensive lines to have less of a "sticker shock" impact on the potential buyer as opposed to showing the price in pairs.

I've seen a number of speakers priced individually inc Energy, Martin Logan, Paradigm, Mirage ect. I would think a retailer orders in pairs(exc subs and centre chans) but would special order a third if he didn't have an extra one available in stock.

I have asked about ordering a third speaker from retailers and most say it is not possible, funny thing is if you find the right sales person they can usually find a way to make it happen.

You'd think they'd make a sale however they could.

I think many try to 'pressure' you into buying that fourth speaker.