I've posted this question in the "speaker" forum, but I'm not sure if it goes better here.

I'm debating whether to get bookshelf or tower speakers for the rear of my listening area (in a 5.1 setup); I've already decided on towers for the front 2 speakers.

The issue is that the towers would be about 2 1/2 feet behind my sofa, which I presume would block some of the sound. Bookshelf speakers, on the other hand, could be placed somewhat higher, either sitting on a stand, mounted on the wall or sitting on or inside bookcases.

Anyone have a view about this?

How much are the speakers going to be blocked? Are we talking the bottom inch of the lowest woofer slightly below the top edge of the sofa, or are we talking like top of speaker is below top of sofa?

My sofa is about 30" high. I'm looking at the Jamo E 660, which I believe are about 35" high. I don't know, though, what that means in terms of how much of the woofer/tweeter is actually obstructed.

Here is one photo of the room (which I've posted already in a different thread):

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/wynton/PICT0151.jpg

I've got almost the exact couch that you have and place my rears right behind the sofa.

I actually prefer the near field sound, having it directly behind the sofa.

Make sure you calibrate the rear levels. If it's anything like mine you'll have to turn down the rear channel attenuation a bit as they are so close to the listening positioning.

I would go for the bookshelves; mounting them higher (2-3 feet above ear level) will give a greater sense of envelopment in the surround field.

I've got almost the exact couch that you have and place my rears right behind the sofa.

I actually prefer the near field sound, having it directly behind the sofa.

Make sure you calibrate the rear levels. If it's anything like mine you'll have to turn down the rear channel attenuation a bit as they are so close to the listening positioning.

I like my sides/rear nearfield too....I know its incorrect but I still like it.