Another speaker you may want to consider is the Morrison, either the model 23 or the 17. I have listened to the Gradients and the Morrisons (although not in the same room) and they both do very well near the wall. The Morrisons are also about the best imaging speaker I have heard and they are a somewhat easier to drive than the Gradients. Here are a couple of links to info: http://www.morrisonaudio.com/morrison_loudspeakers.htm
http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Speakers.html#ClB
http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Speakers.html#ClB