I recently switched to a column speaker system and have been quite impressed with the performance. In terms of sound dispersion, they are excellent due to their vertical design which helps in spreading sound evenly across a room, be it small or large. They're especially grand if you're short on space but don't want to compromise on sound quality. For larger rooms, I'd recommend ensuring they come with a good subwoofer to enhance the lower frequencies that column speakers sometimes lack. As for brands, JBL and Bose have some reliable models worth checking out depending on your budget and requirements.