The first set from a noise tolerance perspective as well as the overall look are the best choice in my opinion. Those rock!!! The second set are just another set of Zoomies.
I really like the looks of the first set, but put a collector on them with the same angle cut at the end. Zoomies (especially w/ no mufflers) sound like crap IMO. Even more so if it's a stock motor.
I'd vote for #1- reasons being that they will be quieter and blow dirt on all the shiney cars. Seriously I had a set of header that pointed down and they really stirred up the road grime and pitched it into the air. I'd add some noise suppression if they were mine.
Where did you get the tapered pipe on version 3? I'd love to build a set of speedster headers from some of it.