Non-Audiophile Audiophile question!

all box speakers sound like boxes.

Ohm Walsh speakers do not sound like boxes. The box is only there for the full bass that is not the forte of Magnepan typically.

I had Magnepans prior to my Ohm Walsh a number of years back.

I see some of you have mentioned headphones. One reason I am going to be ’slumming’ it with the Magnepan Mini’s is that the end game for me is to buy the RAAL 1995 Immanis headphones to use with my existing RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp. The Mini is for background and the Immanis are  for serious listening.

Some consider these the best phones ever made. I do not have the comparative background to make that claim but I have heard it with my headphone amp, and it was almost as good as my Livingroom 2-channel system.

I heard a $200K+ system at a dealer in the summer and all I kept thinking was that it was great but not as good as the Immanis.

Hearing chines and phone calls will not be an issue with phones, kind of the same thing with speakers.

Do you want to save your hearing when your older,then don't play the music loud when you have your headphones on...Better yet done used them at all....

I had this issue way back when and solved it with the B&W rock solid system - with the passive subwoofer. Neat setup and great sounding for small space - although rated up to 150 watts. I still have the speakers and have re-purposed them for my garage surround system. 

The Mini is for background.....

Actually Mini Maggie's are for nearfield listening. For me, nearfield listening has advantages such as eliminating problems of room acoustics, and I hear details better. Anyway, for the original question (speakers behind listener at desk), mini mags on stands placed about 3 to 6 feet away would work for me, and use the DWM for bass. And if there is room for LRS+ or the wall mount Maggie's, that's what I would consider. But I realze many other people accept box speakers.  I just can't tolerate the box sound.
The MBL speakers are very interesting but I've never heard them, and they're expensive. I'd rather buy a Porsche for that price! 😃