Unless the fiancé can make a compelling counter-argument, I'm going to make an A16 happen in my home, one way or another.
I've squirreled away money, I'm trying to sell some things, and two in-laws are determined to do our catering (actually despite our wishes) at my wedding, and the Realiser is one thing I've really wanted since hearing about it years ago. A personalized EQ for your head and headphones, head tracking, 16 virtual speaker support for a truly 3D directional support (7.1 is only a 2D "ring"), multiple HDMI inputs and independently-controlled dual headphone outputs (or optical/coax outputs for each), and decent internal headphone DAC and Amp components push it to the summit right now for capability. I think it's important that it's compatible with basically any media or source.
$1,600 is definitely a lot of money and definitely gives me pause. But, I can actually consider it as a "for life" investment, while the A8's $2,500 price just made me want to discount it as a possibility out of hand. The Realisers also aren't the easiest to set up... The personalized EQs only come from spending time with in-ear microphones and test tones, possibly/ideally visiting a music studio. There are generic HRTFs that sound pretty good, but if I've learned anything from Mad Lust Envy, NamelessPFG, and I (and others) hearing and sharing the same gear and media and yet having different personal preferences, is that everyone's sense of hearing is unique.
Lastly, I disagree that licensing out SVS to home theater manufacturers would help anything. Maybe SVS is a little better than Dolby Headphone or Silent Cinema, but that's only one one ingredient in the Realiser's secret sauce alongside the head-tracking and personalized auto-EQ. The way I look at it, if you want surround, get a Mixamp/DSS, if you want to listen with surround and upgraded components, get an X7, if you want surround and head-tracking, get a Beyerdynamic Headzone or a VR setup, but if you want the trifecta of surround, head-tracking, and realism from personalized EQ/HRTF, then Smyth sits at the top.