Which types of speakers are ideal against a wall?

Yep, they'll be fine, but stuff the ports with a sock or something. You'll get the bass back thanks to the rear wall reinforcement.


Best,
E

Any floor-standing or bookshelf speaker is designed to set out in a room regardless of whether it’s sealed, or with a port on the front or back of the cabinet - that’s how they’re voiced when built. Speakers that can truly go against a wall or in the wall are voiced specifically to do that. Unfortunately, there aren’t many audiophile options in that category for that purpose.

If you have the ability to go against the wall without the speakers being seen, or particularly if you can go in-wall, then I would recommend looking at Paradigm’s Elite LCR 7’s which are designed to go in-wall. However, you can take the bezel off that goes around the cabinet that holds the magnetized grill cover on and you end up with a very plain box that can stand or lay in a cabinet or against the wall. They are, however, designed to be placed up in a wall or cabinet and not stood on the floor. These are the in-wall version of Paradigm’s Prestige 95F’s.

Please go to paradigm.com with this link after it to take you directly to the model if interested /en/in-wall-speakers/ci-elite-e7-lcr
Thanks for your time and good luck in your search.

Thanks guys for all the input.   I guess I will stick with the traditional audiophile speakers and place an absorber in the port.    I’m curious if the port foam inserts are the same effectiveness as a sock?  Can’t wait to try.  

Some speakers are designed for using against the wall. Wilson Duettes for example, though somewhat over budget. Audio Note  UK make a range intended for boundary use based on old Snell designs and very amp friendly, the afore mentioned Larsens,  the original Linn Isobariks, Saras and Kans, nearly any Naim speaker before the Ovators (I have NBLs 5.5cm from the wall behind them) and there must be others out there. Some of these need a solid wall rather than plasterboard but you don’t have to give up scale and depth with all of these. Positioning is still important to get the  best from them but that position will be near a wall.

If you don't mind vintage, get a pair of Yamaha NS-2000. 3-way acoustic suspended speaker, no ports. You will not be disappointed and you'll save some coin to boot