Best speakers for near rear wall placement?

I can place a vote for the Wilson Duettes. I have a pair right in front of me now that are about 3 inches from the wall and toed into the listening position. The result is truly amazing.

Excellent soundstage width and depth and very good bass response (especially considering the size of the speaker).

Unfortunately, they are expensive... with stands the cost is around $13K.

Vandersteen Quatro.........
We have installed many of these full range speakers.
Some have been even four inches from the wall.
With their room compensation feature adjusted to this position we experienced remarkable results.
John
Dealer Audio connection

I can second Hoggshead's recommendation - I have the Kitty Kat Revelator monitor, specifically designed for near-wall applications. Amazing speakers "in-my-system" fronted with Wadia CDP and Plinius amplification.

Thiel SCS?

Most Naim speakers are designed to be placed right against the wall, but expect a «flat wall» soundstage...

I second the silent speakers that Burhoe designed, especially intended for placement at the front wall. By the way, if you call the wall in front of you the "rear wall" what do you call the one behind you? :>)

You might consider the monitors designed by George Short, the kitty kat revelator

http://www.northacoustics.com/

Jim

Audio Note speakers are designed to be against the wall.

Stick with something that is 'not' rear ported .

If your friend doesn't listen at loud levels he might be best served by getting small speakers with a high bass roll off and supplement these with a sub woofer. Not optimum, but it could solve the bass reinforcement most all floor standers will experience when placed near boundries. Is that an option? Does you friend have a budget?

The smaller Totems work okay against a wall - if you can give them even a foot or so they're not bad. Gradient has some that are designed to work well against a wall although I don't think they are small. He could go with some good standmount monitors and a sub.

I think I read that some VMPS speakers can be placed close to a wall.

Limited opitons, so these are just for consideration, not because I necessarily think them "best"; some Linn's and Klipsch.

I would give the Direct Acoustics "Silent Speaker" a try. It is designed to work near/against a wall. Here's a link to a good positive feedback review:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/direct_acoustics.htm

The company has a generous return policy too, so you can't really go wrong.

Enjoy,

TIC