RM7si-II or Revel M20 or .....need help please


My room is 12 feet wide, 18 feet long. There is a fireplace where the stereo would normally go. I only have room for monitors that will sit on a mantle on either side of the fireplace (firing down the lenght of the room), no more than 18 inches from the back wall, and maybe 24 inches from the side walls.

I have an all McIntosh system with the MA 6900 integrated amp, MCD 205 CD-changer, and MR 85 tuner. I listen to a wide variety of music.

Two intriguing speakers are the Joesph Audio RM 7si-II, and the Revel M20. I have read many good things about the M20 on other threads in this location, but not very much on the Joesph's. Can anyone speak to these or any other monitors (not B&W though, i've heard those) they have used in similar circumstances?

Thank you,
pardales
No experience with the RM7si--however I own a pair of M20s with a somewhat tweaked system (Audio Magic Stealth, VD + Cardas AC cords, Bryston pre, Ps Audio amp). My speakers are no more than 18" from the wall behind them--less actually since one is in front of a bookshelf and the other in front of a window. Sounds bad, right? But I'm getting truly excellent soundstaging and imaging. The speakers are toed in a lot (they face the listening position directly).

My impression of the M20s is that they have a LOT of potential that can be brought out by good associated components and appropriate tweaks. They seem to be a great value for the money. I prefer the M20 sound to that of the F30 (next up in the Revel line) and don't hear that much of an improvement with the Gem or the Studio (OK, maybe the dealer did not do a good job of setting these up).
I would opt for a sealed design in this less than ideal situation...maybe a Spendor design...or something similiar...or a front firing bass reflex design...anything else...the bass is going to be very boomy....good luck....and remember....speaker placement and room size...more so than the speaker themselves....dictates how good or bad your system will sound....
I agree with phasecorrect 100%. I cannot remeber if the revels have a rear port but I think so. Best avoid this if at all possible.

Lastly, If you can spare the space in the corners, room treatments (bass traps etc) can take care of a lot of the boom that you will get from the speaker placement.