I think it's unreasonable to have to get rid of your equipment and a "part of you" over WAF. Getting a home doesn't mean that your not allowed to have hobbies. One more vote for the basement.
Again, thanks for everyone's help. I really appreciate it!
To be clear, I will build an AV room in the basement, ideally within 12 months. I've shown my wife the setup of TLS Guy so she knows what to expect. ;-)
So, the goal here is not to make an optimal setup, but to create one that is acceptable (I know, loaded word) for casual TV watching for both me and my wife. The primary use for this family room is not AV. I just want audio that is as good as it can be, given the requirements that:
1. Small speakers must sit on the hearth above the fireplace.
2. Small subwoofer is allowed.
3. My wife agrees to live in the house.
What I think this means is small, sealed speakers, no deeper than 9", that also reach down to 80-100 Hz so the subwoofer is not too localized. So far, leading contenders appear to be
1. Ascend HTM-200 SE
2. Axiom M2 or M3 on-wall.
3. NHT superzeros or superones or absolute zeros (I have the old superones, so that would be my default. However, I am not "thrilled" with the upper end. Maybe nothing will match the lovely top end of my Snell JIII...)
Others still under consideration
4. Emotiva XRM-4.1 is front ported, so it might extend deep enough (not sure how to judge the claimed 88 Hz bottom of these)
5. EMP E3b: with only a 3" woofer, not sure that these will go deep enough to 80-100 Hz.
6. Aperion Intimus 4B is sealed with 4" woofer. Not sure they will go deep enough 80-100 Hz.
7. EMP E5Bi are back ported and 8" deep. So I would only have 0.5-1" of room for the port to breath. Given that these will be rolled off at 80-100 Hz, not sure how problematic that will be (opinions?)
8. Arx A1: I really wanted these to work. They just would fit (8.7" deep). I would likely need to plug the port, but sadly are no longer available. Unfortunately, the new A1b is too deep 10.25".
The subwoofer (I have a lot of options here, and really haven't decided, but am leaning towards SVS sealed) will likely go either
1. next to the front wall, in the left front corner (where the current owner has his TV); or
2. at the end of the couch, i.e. along the right wall between the white cabinet and the couch.
I would be very happy to hear comments on the above speakers I mentioned.
Thanks!