A book shelf speaker to go on a bookshelf.

Von Schweikert VR-1 bookshelf monitors sound great, even in a bookshelf. They still project a wide soundstage. They have detail and a sweet midrange. It will even help the bottom end reach to about 50 Hz. I have used them in a bookshelf wall with great results.

VR-1 is a good speaker.

The hole in the back is not called a port as its tuning frequency is higher than that of the woofer and has no useful bass output of its own

Good luck.

Thanks for all the input guys.I think the VR1 will be my first port of call.They have an importer here in the UK.
Zola 1970

ZOLA1970,
You would do well to peruse the North Creek Music Systems Kits. For example the "Spirit" (very favorably reviewed in the Absolute Sound) or the Okara II. You can make or buy the cabinets and choose any finish imaginable. George Short is the genius behind the designs (He is especially special with crossover design) and Lee Taylor is the cabinetmaker. You can visit the website at www.northcreekmusic.com.

REL2

I had asked the same thing here myself just a few weeks ago, then answered my own question and went with a pair of Aeriel 5b's.
Aeriel's website recommends them for close to wall applications and I'm quite happy with them. (Some day they will become rear speaker for HT.)