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Speakers that can be placed against the wall?

I have finally decided to do something I promised myself I would do when I got out of college (just took about 20 years to make it a priority)...Get an upper-end stereo system. My problem is I live in a small house and need to be able to place the speakers against the wall. The room is about 18' x 13' with the speakers located against the long (18') wall. I will be able to keep the speakers away from the side walls but they need to stay close to the back wall. I like Jazz, don't usually listen at loud volumes, but would like to have a speaker that will sound good with most types of music (not asking much, am I?). I don't want to spend more than about $4-5K for the speakers (I'll probably buy used). This is the first component I want to buy for my system. I'm probably going to use a tube preamp and solid state amp (or monoblock amps). Any recommendations for speakers that can be placed against the rear wall, in a smallish room that can give good soundstage and imaging? Or should I take up knitting?
jjam
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
In wall paradigm 40's - if prefer a slick look and great sound.

Sealed box satellites with a high end sub would probably be the safest choice though. You should avoid ported speakers.
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,352 posts
 
The Devore Fidelity Gibbon 8's are front-ported and work extremely well near the wall in my living room, which is almost the same size and shape as yours. They were designed by a New Yorker with small living spaces in mind. The next speaker up in the line, the Super 8, sounds incredible and is within your budget but are rear-ported.
muzikat
887 posts
 
In general if you can get the speakers at least 12" away fom the walls, most will do OK.
Front ported speakers work best in close to wall placement.
Linn, Audio Note, Naim, Nort Acoustics all mke good choices.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
If you want to start in high end, get the Magnepan's. The MMG-W sold direct, if you check out the reviews, you will be shocked that any consumer item can be so universally praised. Also, they are dirt cheap. A half-way decent subwoofer is s must with them, and you will need a reciever with some juice (over 100w min) that can crossover the sub/speakers (try 110hz to start).

Good luck.
glory's avatar
glory
1,373 posts
 
Forget the AN Kit speaker.

AN speakers are not ugly.
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