I dont’ know about you guys but I have always wanted to do a test for my light and different lighting modifications, so i decided to give it a go. Softbox VS Octabox VS Shoot through umbrella brolly VS reflective silver umbrella VS Gary Fong Lightsphere II VS Bare VS Beauty Dish.
Testing was done with 3 cameras firing all at the same time via Pocketwizards Multimax (with remote cables). Distances were measured from the front of the model to the front/center of the modifiers.

TESTING (per modifier):
2 different distances ranging from 1m to 2.5m
3 different hight ranging from 1.5m to 2.5m
3 different shots of each lighting test.

We have 222 images to put together.

5D was hooked up the a laptop which control the firing of the camera, this also control (send out signal) to fire the 2x 40D.

CAMERAS:
5D | 24-105mm L IS USM | 85mm
Straight in front of the model | 3m
40D | 10-22mm | 14mm
Directly below the 5D tilting up slightly | 3m
40D | 17-40mm L | 24mm
To the side to capture the side shadonw | 2m

LIGHTS:
2x 580EX II
Boiling Portable Flash 600W head

LIGHT MODIFICATIONS:
Deflector - normal stobe fitting to send the light straight out
Strip Softbox | 120cm X 40cm | With/Without Grid
Octabox | 120cm diameter
Shoot through umbrella | 110cm diameter
Silver reflective umbrella | 110cm diameter |bubbled
Silver matt reflective umbrella | 60cm diameter
Gary Fong Lightsphere II | Clouded
Beauty Dish | 70cm with Honeycomb/diffuser

This is the set up. 222 images later, you get a complete shadown/lighting test. Thanks to the assistances (Doung and Ed) for helping out.

CONCLUSION:
Setting up lighting as high as possible in front of the model give you a much more pleasing effect than head height, which look flat. I will post images up in a ebook from let me know if you are interested.