I don't know about MLs working, but if you put enough clutter on the side walls (bookshelfs, or better yet studio style absorption pads, or heavy drapes) and if you get monitors and setup for nearfield type listening then I think 8 feet could work. Monitors 5 feet apart, 18 inches from each side wall, toed in, with absorption on the walls at the primary reflection points, and a listening position 5-6 feet from the plane of the speakers. Add a subwoofer if you like deep bass. A narrow floorstander like the AP virgo might also work.
You'll have to tame side-wall reflections to maintain the imaging, but IMHO it can be done, maybe not with the MLs.
You'll have to tame side-wall reflections to maintain the imaging, but IMHO it can be done, maybe not with the MLs.