Monitor speakers for true bookshelf location


I’m hoping to get some ideas about the type of speaker I should consider getting starting with rear ported or not..  The speakers are to be placed at ear level but literally on bookshelves with perhaps a foot and a half between the speaker and the wall. Budget is under $3000 but I prefer to spend less than $2000.  

My understanding is that rear ported speakers May not sound as good too close to the wall. I’m sure there are exceptions Of course. Could I consider a ported design and simply plug or partially plug the port with the provided foam plug if the bass is augmented too much due to the proximity to the wall? Or should I go with a non-ported design to begin with?
The speakers are not going to be for critical listening but of course I want them to sound good and they are in general not going to be played at high volumes so I need some thing that will sound great at low to moderate volumes. Primarily The music selection will be smooth jazz, or contemporary music with focus on female and male voices. Some rock also..  Will likely partner these with a a Lyngdorf integrated amp with streaming Tidal and using RoomPerfect for room correction as an option.  
Look forward to your feedback thanks 
rbgator94

Showing 2 responses by freediver

You won’t get 100% of what they can do considering placement location but 90% is still ahead of everything else available,Harbeth P3ESR(or Spendor A1)...What ever you get make sure to put isolation underneath like Auralex,Vibrapods,Herbies or similar...My second choice would be Dali Minuet in the new S.E.version...3rd.would be a pair of the new Quad S1 or 2 with the ports plugged(which works well)...
NO Special 40’s in that placement,even with ports plugged they sound congested & slow compared to free space placement..The Excite X14 with ports plugged would be an excellent choice...