I had a pair of CP-6311 on loan for a time, and they worked well for me.
I'll definitely look into them. I really didn't care for the Gallo 3.1s when I demoed them a few years ago (sounded awfully gimmicky), so I don't anticipate liking the Stradas much.
The upper section of a 3.5, yes. This is a unique sort of travel, though, one in which I stay for a year or two then move again, likely across oceans. In making a big deal about what sort of loudspeakers would be required for this application, I've been given permission to go to hi-fi shops and test loudspeakers lately. It's been wonderful.