Challenging Speaker Situation

Why not go with in ceiling speakers and a wall sub? Several name manufacturers make a decent ceiling mount speaker.

I suspect an Onmi directional speaker would best serve here. Look at Ohms. I haven't heard them in a long time, but I used to like them very much, and they are being manufactured now with a nice trial offer. I understand they are even better now.

Carvers new ribbon speakers/sub should work perfectly

Altecs use 4 or more run a older av receiver in party or mono. Doesn't get much better for such a set up. I used Bozaks in a similar set up. You can get Altecs less desirable models and a old AV receiver for less than $1000. Nothing else near this price range will do as well. Will take a bit of shopping to find the Altecs I picked up 8 pair this year. Going with such a set up for our New Sapien Social Club, club house. Soon a Sapiens S/C will be in your area;) Only open to homo sapiens of good character.

What you probably don't want is anything that needs to be away from the wall to sound good because the speaks would then be in the way. This could be a problem with true omnis in this application in that they typically require some distance from walls to sound their best. Rear ported designs are also probably right out. Front ported designs would be better.

Check out my system and you'll see I use a pair of refurbished Ohm Ls from the 70's (front ported) in my basement with my ping pong table. These sound fabulous for rock and jazz...great party speakers.

You might pick up a similar professionally refurbished pair from Ohm Acoustics (www.ohmspeakers.com) for under $500 which would be a nice score! Even better might be a pair of larger Ohm H's (under $1000) if available and enough floor space is available.