Will either of the speakers work in 17X17 room.

If you like the mbl and room size is an issue, maybe smaller more monitor size mbl may work or again maybe consider the OHMs. GUaranteed one of the OHMs will be rightsized for that room, and they are designed to be able to go closer to walls than pure omnis like mbl.

Big expensive speakers are not always better. The room is the limiting factor. GEtting top notch sound in a room that size need not cost a small fortune. Quality speakers (and suitable amps to drive them) can be smaller and typically also not cost as much as their larger brethren.

Great input so far, thank you. I am currently using Jm lab Utopia and Verity Parsifal to great effect but am looking for that end all speaker before kids. Having heard the MBL 101e in a big room I really wanted them to work. The veritys have that midrange magic that is so addictive but that 11ich rear firing woofer can cause problems. If i just had a few more feet in both directions....

"Having heard the MBL 101e in a big room I really wanted them to work. .....If i just had a few more feet in both directions...."

You and me both!

As much as I like mbl, I would be hard pressed to justify the extra expense.

My large OHMs are a perfect fit in my good sized L shaped room, where the room is decent size but distance to walls possible is constrained. It's the best sound I have certainly ever owned and having heard mbl and other very good high end systems, still floats my boat. I do not know if I would switch even if I had the room and extra dollars needed for mbl.