Vertical directivity isn't actually all that critical when you're seated in the hot seat listening to two speaker stereo music, unless you suddenly get up from your seat to stand up. There are quite more than "a few examples" of loudspeakers with discrete drivers that deliver pinpoint imaging. I for one have owned many, including ones I have designed and built.
People have different observations, impressions and likely also different taste in what parts of the music reproduction is important to them. The myriad of different speakers and speaker designs are a testament to that.
I for one will find it very hard to go back to a traditional design after hearing a good coax speaker. I have yet to hear a discrete driver design that sound quite like it. I respect that others may feel differently.