Help Select an True Bookshelf Speaker

Sorry for the lack of detail. I experienced a little brain fade. These will go in a great room of his house, firing out about 18-19 feet, with plenty of outside breathing room. He is using a mid-fi AV receiver at around 75 Watts/Channel. His music tastes are mostly classic rock and blues. He would prefer to stay within $1,200.

Thanks for the responses to date. You guys are the best.

I’ll second the Triangle Borea BR03. I currently have a pair of these on stands, but being front ported they are equally suited for shelves. They are a really great looking speaker especially with grilles off. Bit of an old school

throwback looking speaker. The great part is they are easy to drive and won’t tax even the most modest of receivers.

Fischer & Fischer SN 70's for the win. 

that large space, I would go for larger speakers, reminder the AR-2ax have 10" woofers.

more efficient an advantage,

depending on what he buys, be ready to try adding a sub or stereo pair of subs located in-line below the speakers, as it is both primary and overtones of bass notes that give directionality and establishes and maintains imaging.

.......................................................

blocked rear ports:

IF you find some nearby (avoid pay for shipping) great speakers with rear ports, as mentioned, just stuff them closed. not little speakers with ports, they need them, and not big enough for that space anyway.

I have two sets of blocked rear ports due to their current locations. main system, 15" woofers, rear port was open in prior location with no rear wall behind, closed them when I moved here with a rear wall and nearby corners.

video system: rear surround speakers, rear ports stuffed, they lay on their backs, fire up the slot between the back of the sofa and the wall 6" behind.

I have sealed ATC SCM7’s in my bedroom, replacing ported Infinity’s that chugged through their port. They sound really great!