Truly High Efficiency, High Quality, Nearfield Usable, Affordable Speakers, Do They Exist?

Trying to help a friend who loves music realize a lifelong dream. He finally has a room all to himself for listening, and wants to put together a SET system. He has acquired, in barter for work, a wonderful 2a3 based SET amp (3.5wpc) and has everything else necessary but the speakers. His room is 10 x 10 x 8, with the limitation that it must also house his desk to operate his business from. So the speakers will be in the nearfield, no more than 5-5.5 feet or so from his listening position, and within a foot to a foot and a half of the front wall, depending on speaker depth His budget requires these speakers to be reasonably affordable (bought used) to maximize his spending. He will be listening to music while working, and also purely listening for pleasure, a good fifty hours a week, so this systems performance is very important to him. 

I'm aware of larger designs, and expensive speakers, though not any that can be used in the nearfield for his needs. Any recommendations, suggestions or expertise in this matter would be immensely appreciated. Thanks.