Here's a further thought for you--the Egglestonworks Andras. I bought them, aside from the fact that I loved them, because they are designed to go close to a back wall without any boom (I've had them as close as 10" to the back wall with no ill effects, in a setup where my old B & W's had to be at least 2.5' from the wall, with a tube trap immediately behind them as well), and they project as wide a sound front as you'd ever want (at 9 feet apart to clear my equipment cabinet, with a foot on each side), and using an LP with a solo violin that is particularly hard to keep from stretching out into 2 distinct sound sources, the speakers are still aimed to cross their direct radiation output about 2 feet behind my head (if the room were in fact that wide). Only caveat: you need lots of power. I use Classe CAM-350s (350 watts per side), and they're great, but 250 watts per side is a minimum.
Speakers recommendations when placement is an issue
I could use some help with speaker recommendations-I am restricted to placement with speakers flanking a 6 foot built-in entertainment center and 1-2 feet from the back wall. Currently using Linn LP-12, PSE electronics, CAL Icon MK II. Want to start the upgrading process with floor-standing speakers, however, because of limited placement I don't want to waste money on Avalons or ProAc if I can't make them sing! Any speakers that can provide good sound in this setup? Budget is fairly open. thanks!