Thank you to all who have responded. I want to add that there is no side wall for the left speaker because the room opens into the dining/kitchen area with a least 14 feet to boundary wall of the apartment. I can place any box or tower speakers at least 30 inches from the back wall if I move the current location of area carpet. However, I mentioned before I would still maintain the 8ft distance from the speaker plane to my ears. I am considering the Magneplanar .7 speakers ($1400) possibly the 1.7i's ($2200 ?) But this might not work because of the Maggies finicky placement problems.
More to follow about the right side of the short wall which terminates at the back wall corner of the long axis.
S.J.