B&W 685C's

It sounds like I confused you maybe. I have the electronics, am looking for new speakers, and wondering what the best choice of that electronics selection would be best to use, and would the 685's even be a good choice for my situation.

The only place I'll be able to place whatever speakers we pick is along each side of the fireplace of brick, on top of the heart(??). The areas are 11"w x 39"h and the fireplace is 7.5" deep on each side and I'd like to stay narrower than the 11" by a ways. I'm sure the brick will ruin any attempt at good sound reproduction, but I'm hoping the home manager won't bury the stands and I can bring them to the front of the hearth when I want to really listen. Still a major compromise but... There are several towers that fit in there nice but I find myself wanting to use a bookshelf speaker instead, and getting something bigger seems like I'd be paying for size instead of quality of sound, except for the sound a bigger speaker CAN produce.

Music choices are pretty varied really. In no particular order, hard rock, smooth jazz, bluegrass, latin pop, all the classic rock and such I still have vinyl of, there's lots of new music I'm hearing lately I'm liking but don't know what it's classed as. A sample of listening to the feed from KRVM radio in Eugene Oregon during weekdays will reveal that.
Hmm, what did I forget? Oh, considering chasing down another Nak 420 to bridge them for more power if it's a particularly good idea.

Sorry Tony, that confusing statement was to Mechans.

The hearth extends out from the wall, and 11" left and right of the fireplace itself. This is where the speakers stands will rest. The fireplace itself extends out 7.5" from the wall, up to 39" above the hearth, where the mantle extends over and above where the speakers will be, hence the 39" headroom figure. If using a 12" deep speakers the front baffles will be some 6-8" ahead of the face of the fireplace, do to the 12" speaker + some room behind, - the 7.5 deep fireplace.

I know getting these would be a big compromise with some music situations, but am willing to loose out on louder rock and such in order to get a better sound otherwise. I'm planning on being able to move the speakers off the hearth and to the carpet every once in a while to sooth my itch.
The room is 18' x 20', and yes, have already figured on working towards a sub. The wife liked that idea also.
I'll make the stands, if the stands I made for the Polks aren't good for the job. Figure on making them just a bit high for when they're on the hearth, so when they're on the carpet they may be just a touch low.
I'm definitely not stuck on 685's as if there's something else that comes along we may go that way. We both want a modern look, sized to fit and aren't too gutsy about trying brands we haven't heard of. Larger, classic styled boxes are pretty much out, good sound or not.

I kinda thought nobody would be able to really help me, thanks for trying anyway.

The hearth, or base, of the fireplace that they'll be sitting on is 26" deep, front to back. So the area for them to sit on is 11"w x 26"d. Lots of room for the speakers to sit on. The vertical sides of the fireplace come out 7" from the wall, is what I meant.
I'm real bad at describing things sometimes.

Been thinking the same thing, on credit card.

But then again, I see good discussion about the chorus 706. seem to be more efficient, good price, no near dealer to listen to them tho. If I already had a bigger amp I may still be focused on the 685's but taking your comments about being tougher to drive has me wondering.

Ok, question for anyone interested. I noticed in this thread, http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1344042165&openflup&27&4#27 that none of the speakers I've mentioned are in there. Am I missing something big, stuck in the mud, or are those speakers way above what my target system is? Should I really open my views up to all these, none of which I've even heard of?