speaker that project mids farther out into room

I have read that Gershman speakers tend to do that very well.

FWIW, I've heard that horns do this quite well. The only horns I have ever owned (Altec 19's) certainly did, they put the soundstage out in front of the speakers. Very interesting effect. They have been out of production for many years however and I have not listened to any of the current horn based units.

Newbee's on it. I still miss my old JBL L200's on old long hair rock.

Listen to horns. Klispch probably makes something you are looking for.

Have Fun

In part this is a frequency response issue. Speakers with more top end will sound to your mind like the music is closer to you. Those that are more rolled off will sound more distant as the brain interprets the loss of highs as coming from greater distance.

I certain would not discourage your listening to horn as I like their immediacy, but they have better leading edge or transient response. Again this is largely high frequency response.