Bookshelf with imaging?

[davecandialex]

Perhaps this has been covered before, but I've been persuaded that my next design should be a true bookshelf speaker. Something that can sit on a large cabinet with actual book filled shelves behind it. I've recently been listening to an Alpair 10 in small enclosure and moved them from stands to the bookshelf location. As expected much of the imaging and spacious sound they had out in the room is lost. Any suggestions for designs that help out?

I was thinking maybe a cardioid polar response would eliminate some of the short delay reflections.

I'm sure I don't need to explain who did the persuading