Classic problem of, "I want big bass, but I don't want to 'pay for it', either with space/size or dollars." Isn't going to happen, not ideally at least.
Not a negative on the Palladium, as I've never heard it. The 9" drivers will produce lovely bass down to their limits; the specs show 39Hz +/- 3dB. The Low Frequency Extension shows 28Hz. When played at higher levels read "distortion threshold". They'll already be distorting to some degree on the way down to that point. It will get much muddier and worse sounding with very low Hz listening material. They'll play lower Hz, but they'll also distort at any higher levels to achieve lower frequ. at higher level. That's it. Don't expect clean, powerful subwoofer-like bass from these speakers - or any speakers with similar specs. It's an error to think that one can get similar bass from multiple smaller drivers.
I was scoping out the specs and came across this pic, which makes the speaker look HUGE; it's on a pedestal and the angle of the pic makes the speaker look larger than the woman.
http://blog.stereophile.com/cedia2007/090607klipsch/
The speaker is actually 4.5' tall. A very good size, but not large enough in cabinet size to let the 9" drivers dig deeper for more low end. A compromise between aesthetics and performance.
If you go with these speakers - as I said, I have not heard them, so you may love the sound and if so, great! - you'll likely be looking for a subwoofer at some point because you won't get the big, bad bass you say you're after. You'll likely have clean bass to 30Hz, but not much after that. And the most involving low end in terms of big, bad bass happens below that point.
Shadorne is absolutely correct; think 10" minimum. I'd say 12" minimum if you don't want to be adding a sub. I reviewed the Legacy Focus HD for Dagogo.com; it has twin 12" bass drivers and that is just enough to do without a sub. I frankly, do not know of many speakers with a single 10" or 12" bass driver which can perform at a level so that a subwoofer can be eliminated. There is, of course, a large degree of subjectivity involved in such conclusions, but I think a large number of audiophiles who use their system for music and HT would agree with that generalization.
So, from my perspective, #2 in your list is unrealistic. If you don't adjust your criteria to accommodate a larger speaker, you shouldn't expect to achieve the big, bad bass you crave. You can buy a smaller tower speaker, but should expect to incorporate a subwoofer for the bass experience you want.
The other potential issue is the 30W power supplied. Not good if you want serious bass, higher levels, etc. You can make it work, of course, but you're going to hear a lot of distortion. Compared to older, less capable speakers you may think it's wonderful, and it will be! But, in absolute terms you would do FAR better with many more Watts at your disposal if low end slam is what you're after. If you go with the Palladium speaker you should at some point upgrade your amp and you would find it to bring an entirely new, improved clarity and intensity to the bass.
If you're thinking of the smaller Palladium speakers, you're not going to be anywhere near this bass performance that you indicate you want.
There really is no way to get around the physics. :)
