Need Perfect Speakers for Acoustically Hostile Placement

Seeking speaker recommendation. Here is the situation:

Cabinetry in our kitchen has two cabinets for speakers. (See photo.) This is next to the ceiling,...about 7-8' off the ground. For the last 8 years, these have had a pair of B&W 705 speakers, wired to a multi-channel amp pushing about 60w. And it has sounded terrible.

There are several issues which, I believe, make this an especially "hostile" environment for speakers:

• No fixed listening position. It is a kitchen. We are all over the place.
• Next to ceiling...I imagine this creates unhealthy reflections
• Inside a box. Ugh. It is what it is. Should this disqualify any rear-ported designs?

New system:

• New amp will deliver 140wpc of class A/B power
• Rebuilt "grills" to allow much more open space
• I may treat the inside of the cabinetry with absorptive material (should I?)
• Bookshelf speakers will lay on their side, likely on dampening foam like Auralex Mopads that will reduce vibration and allow some downward tilt

Now I need to choose speakers. Any suggestions...?

Thanks in advance.