Best real world radial / omidirectional speaker

Shahinian Compass if you can find a used pair.

Since Klipsch bought out API (Mirage, Energy, now-defunct Athena), they've been blowing out the higher end models via Vanns.com at 60-70% off. Sooo... you could get a $2500 pair of Mirage OMD-15s for $800/pair or the $7500 flagship OMD-28s for $2800/pair. I've had the OMD-15s for nearly 4 years now. They are so easy to live with. Tonal balance is very realistic, midrange engaging and transparent. Bass is fast and clean. I like Mirage's approach because it's based on years of research into how live music typically energizes a room. For this reason the omnidirectional pattern throw 60% of the energy to the front and the other 40% to the rear. This difference makes it possible to hear deeply into the recording and the soundstage while having a realistic and very stable soundstage that stays intact wherever you are in the listening are. Timbres and tonal balance stay consistent throughout as well.

If you have the space for the bass to breathe, you could step up to the OMD-28s, which are 2-4" bigger in each dimension, have faster, more transparent drivers, and bass that extends down into the 20's. Professional reviews: Soundstage and Abso!ute Sound.

The OMD-28s are more demanding of the upstream components. The OMD-15s are bi-wireable, but the OMD-28s are tri-wireable. You want to at least use better jumpers than the brass straps supplied with either, and the OMD-28s like lots of current and power.

Still, here we have a couple of true omni's, still in production with full (5 years) factory warranty at fire sale prices that include free shipping and no sales tax.

Here's why I think the Ohm Walsh 1000s are the natural choice in your situation:

1. They come standard with back-wave attenuation to facilitate placement closer to (but not up against) the wall behind them. And there is no rear-firing tweeter.

2. They are within your budget.

3. After owning the 2000s for over two years, I have yet to listen to a recording that they don't make the best of.

4. Ohm offers excellent customer service and support.

5. Ohm offers a 120-day in-home trial, so you can see if they work in your room, with your gear, and your music.

6. They are relatively compact compared to other omnis, yet are still pretty close to full range.

Just make sure your room's volume is not too large for whichever model you plan on trying.

Who knows which is best as everyone has different preferences. I am a
fan of Walsh drivers though so i go for ohm. As i sit here listening to my
smaller ohms even, I think they are hard to better at any price when set
up well.