Electrostatics and Near Field Listening

There have been a few posts recently regarding electrostatics, esp. Quads, to be used in small room, low volume applications. Is "near field" listening a good idea in this configuration? Does anyone have any experience with this? How close to the speakers should one listen? And any idea which particular Quad or other speaker might work well like this? I have a very small room and a wife who doesn't like music.... Thanks.