Consider trying the smaller Vandersteen 1Cs -- you should have enough space, and they have a similar sound character to the 2Ce series. (I've owned both -- they're both excellent sound and value. The 1c has less low end, but if you are using these in a home theter system with subwoofer, then that won't matter much. Even without sub, the 1Cs are worth considering.)
If you couldn't get Vandersteen speaker's
After many months of searching, I finally decided on Vandersteen 2ce signatures as my entry into the hi end. These speaker where to last me over the next several years while the rest of my system caught up to the speakers. Now after reading several post here on A-gon, I find that I won't have enough space for the left speaker. The left speaker would be in a space that was only 28" wide from side window to side of the entertainment center, and about 3' from the back wall which would put them about 1' in front of the entertainment center. Since I can't get these, what are some other speaker recommendations in the $1500 or less, new or used price range that would equel the Vandersteens? The speakers would be running through a dbx BX-3 power amp and a CX-3 pre-amp, so powers not a problem. I'm using the pre outs on a yamaha receiver to the pre-amp, so the speakers would be doing double duty for HT and 2CH music.