Large soundstage at 2 ft distance?


What I want essentially are bookshelf speakers with as large a sound stage as possible. The placement is from 2 ft away and 3ft apart. Amp is Boston Acoustic avr721 receiver. 120 watts per solid. Needs to be magnetically shielded as they will be close to my monitor.

Looking to stay under $500. Used preferred.

Cheers!
davidandrewway
I think the X-Omni is probably the best speaker for the $$ right now. Even if it is a floorstander, I want something that can do tricks with HT and gaming sound. I have two channel stereo covered downstairs already. These are for a 80% gaming rig.
You may want to rethink the Omni approach. Omni's, Bipoles, etc. really need space to perform at their best. Maybe the mirage Sats can work well but I'd definitely make sure you can audition in your setup (or have a good return policy).
05-18-09: Biznus97
You may want to rethink the Omni approach. Omni's, Bipoles, etc. really need
space to perform at their best. Maybe the mirage Sats can work well but I'd
definitely make sure you can audition in your setup (or have a good return
policy).
I've been living with Mirage Omnisats and
later OMD-15s for the last 4 years. They will work as I described.

Unlike a standard omni, the Mirage omnisats throw 60-70% of their energy
forward. When you listen to them in the nearfield, their tightly grouped
omniguides create a near-perfect point source--the mid/woofer and tweeter
are clustered tighter than anything but a concentric driver can achieve. That's
what you primarily hear in the nearfield. Unlike other nearfield monitors and
concentrics, however, they also throw 30-40% of their energy in other
directions, and that helps create an enormous soundstage from small
speakers at close range, which is what the OP was asking for.

As for OMD-5 vs. OMD-15, that was my bad. I was thinking OMD-5, so the
link was correct, but I typed OMD-15 because that's what I was listening to at
the time I wrote the reponse.
I can place the speakers as much as 7 ft apart and 2-3 ft from each wall.I will still be about 4-6 ft back though.

I would prefer to place the speakers on my desktop stand which is 42" high and 36" apart and 2 ft distant. However, the X-OMNI can place sounds all over the place and just sounds like fun. AV123 issues aside, they make damn good speakers.

I am just cautious about the Mirage due to the diminutive size. Call me old school, I just think they might be bright and tinny compared to a full sized speaker. The lack of reviews also makes me cautious.
Plus, Mirage is at BB now!!! Kiss of death that. I appreciate and understand your point Johnnyb53. I just think it is a bad idea unless I can audition them. My BB does not carry them.

Perhaps the Tannoy are worth a listen b/c I do have a local dealer for those. He just does not allow home auditions. You can bring your gear to him but yeah. Even though I am his neighbor lol.