I concur with SKSnyder's response (10-10). Using SMGa for over a decade, they sound fine for background music even near the wall. For serious listening pull them forward. My wife, and many other women who have visited our homes through the years, love the panel look (and sound). What wife factor? Most women I know despise boxes unless they are in the wall or on a shelf. Besides, most boxes work better away from the wall, too, and many require stands. At that point the footprint is similar to most panel speakers. Go for the Maggies, you won't be sorry.
Speakers to beat wife-factor ?
I'm looking to replace my Klipsch Forte's with something more refined, but wife-factor requires placement very near rear brick wall, in a 12x14 room (England). Child-factor requires floor-standers -- boxes on stands wouldn't survive. Would like a Maggie-flavored sound, but is there anything that can deliver with its back to the wall and its feet on the ground? I want to keep the solid bass I have now with the Forte's, but want to improve the rest of the sound. Is my quest impossible?