Bookshelf speakers on a bookshelf (Sad)

I think that I was way too hard on the OP. as well as presumptive. Nothing is black and white, and marriages are give and take as I know well.

ozzy, you are very lucky as I am to have an understanding spouse concerning audio, but I think that it's the exception.

We never buy a home with fewer bedrooms than we have beds. So, if you have three beds, you buy a four bedroom home...

OP, what in your system is staying and what are you willing to part with to achieve excellent sound? I've mentioned the Audio Note K's are tailor made for your application, however, your Mac amplification would be a poor match. You may not believe they could be that good but I've heard a $50k plus system built around the K's and the musical presentation was exceptional. Of course, if your Mac amp is staying then we can all focus on something in that regard. I no longer own K's but it's because the system that was relegated to a built in wall unit like you will have was reconfigured for another room.

Best wishes but again, a home demo in your room placed like they will be placed will save you a great deal of heartache. Too many of us have assembled a hypothetically good system destined for an unsuitable application. You can either learn from our mistakes or repeat them...we will all be here to help either way. Good luck!

Im keeping the mac MA352 integrated, the MT5 turntable and an Aurender A10,  the rest is up for grabs.   

Scanning ebay for online used stuff, i see a few eh options to tide me over??

Paradigm Persona B 3700

Kef Ref 1 4250

Alta Audio Celesta FRM-2 9,000

Focal Diablo Utopia Colour Evo 12,500

Guess 3 of those have rear port and will be an issue