Easy answer, as I had very similar requirements. I found the Paradigm Atom bookshelf speakers to fit the bill. The white ones are especially attractive and they also make a matching center channel. When I first got them, my main speakers were in transit back to the factory for some overdue upgrades. During the 8 weeks for updates and shipping both ways across the country, I used the Atoms as my main speakers. I was pleasantly surprised at how good they are! In fact I liked them so much, I ended up buying two more pairs for side and rear channels! Truly a fantastic bargain in the high end world of expensive speakers. I listened to some very expensive top end speakers and frankly, these Atoms give them a damn good run for their money. In some ways, they actually bested the big boys. I do believe the Atom is a giant slayer in the world of speakers. I noted they are on sale at most places right now, too; so it is a good time to pick up a pair. And, when my main speakers came back, the Atoms went moved to the home theater, which is why I bought them.
Advice for bookshelf speakers
It is time for me to consider getting some new speakers and I'd like some advice. This is a secondary system where I watch movies the majority of the time but I still like the speakers to sound good on those occasions when I listen to music. I need to replace my left, center and right. The speakers I am replacing are KEF XQ1s and an XQ2C. I can live with just a left and right if the manufacturer does not make a center channel. These will be driven by an AVR, not separates and will have a sub to pick up the lower frequencies. I have some WAF dimensions that need to be adhered to: 9"-10" from the back wall, no taller than 17" and the left and right tweeters will be 55" apart. I would prefer there not to be a precise sweet spot since we sit in various areas on the oversize couch facing the speakers. I'm not really too hung up on budget. Somewhere between $2-4K total would be where I would like to be.
Given the above, I was thinking about sealed or front vented. I don't think rear vented would be good for this situation but I could be wrong. I have only done internet viewing and no listening. I have looked at Salk's website and have also thought about ATC and ProAc. I've also looked at Ascend (too narrow of a sweet spot?), Fritz (rear vent), Watkins Generation 4 (are these vented?) and others and just wanted to bounce it off this group. Thanks in advance.