speaker with high WAF

Linn Espeks. Can be placed 6" from the rear wall and the shape of the cabinet is gorgeous.

I third or fourth (?) the recommendation for the Merlins. Go to their website and have a look around. If the MM or MX VSM's are too expensive at this point, the VSM-M can be bought used for a fantastic price.

As a ProAc Response owner, I'm partial to them, but if I were looking at it from inside the bra out, I'd say Sonus Faber all the way.

Thanks. I thought I had a wife w/ high SAF, but I gues I should have gotten it in writing!! Anyone need a pair of Thiel 3.6's?

On the affordable end of the spectrum, I have to second the Meadowlarks (in my case: Swallows + Swan). Biggest "free pass" I've ever gotten in audio, my wife is overjoyed at the wood construction + the appearance. I'm overjoyed at the sensitivity + the sound.

My wife only really likes the La Scalas in the living room when the cat tries to climb in them, because that's just damn funny.