Since you like Maggies, another option is to get them. Go with 1.2 or 1.6 to keep the size down. For backround music you can keep them close to the wall, for serious listening you can bring them out into the room. If you need better bass, add a subwoofer in one or both corners.
Speakers to beat wife-factor ?
I'm looking to replace my Klipsch Forte's with something more refined, but wife-factor requires placement very near rear brick wall, in a 12x14 room (England). Child-factor requires floor-standers -- boxes on stands wouldn't survive. Would like a Maggie-flavored sound, but is there anything that can deliver with its back to the wall and its feet on the ground? I want to keep the solid bass I have now with the Forte's, but want to improve the rest of the sound. Is my quest impossible?