Soliloquy or Von Schweikert VR-1

I am really trying to get the sound right and would appreciate informed opinions.

I just bought a Jolida integrated hybrid amp (100 w/ch) -- I bought from Walter at Underwoodhifi.com -- very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful) and now I'm trying to select speakers (within the $1,100 range). My main considerations at this point are:

- Soliloquy 5.0s, or
- Von Schweikert VR-1s
- Meadowlark Swallows

Unfortunately, there are no stores in my area that sell any of these brands.

Here are the room conditions:

15 X 25 feet wide with 9 ft ceiling - and then open to kitchen area.

The speakers will be placed on a solid built-in cabinet -- 20 inches deep and 24 inches high and about 8 ft apart. The height and distance apart seem ideal, but the speakers will only be about 10 inches from the wall (I can't use stands because of the "decorating" factor as they will protrude too far into the living room.

The Von Schweikert VR-1s don't really have a port, the Meadowlarks are front-ported and the Soliloquys have rear ports -- will any of this mattter? (Also, I can get a pair of slightly used Soliloqys which will make them several hundred dollars less than the others.)

Also, even though the placement from wall is closer than ideal will the speakers still sound decent - how much will this noticeably affect sound?

I listen to rock (grateful dead, Bob Dylan), jazz (Coletrane and Billie Holiday) and some chamber music (strings and piano).

Also, anyone have a suggestion for a good CD player in the $300.400 range?

Thanks so much for any advice, David