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Non-rear ported Speakers

First, I have read that front ported speakers are not sonically viable. Any credence to that minority opinion? 
Second, I am finding them enjoyable in my near-near field garage system. Small Ushers and Monitor Bronze 2. 
Looking to add a third under $800, new or used. Any suggestions? Looking strongly at the Triangle Bro3. Sealed options are fine.
Mishmash of integrated amplification. Vintage Pioneer A-51. Various class A/B, D, T. Garage is experiment city.
Near-near field about 3 feet. I brush my teeth with the music down here.




jpwarren58
erik_squires
16,042 posts
 
I had a pair of B&W N804s about 15 years ago and they excited room resonances far more than other speakers I had in the same location.  

Looking at the Stereophile measurements I wonder if this isn't more due to the port tuning? It's set to a pretty low frequency.
jon_5912
604 posts
 
Back when I had the 804s I was making measurements using a real time analyzer, measurement mic, and test tones.  They definitely interacted with the room very differently than other speakers I had in the same spot.  
jpwarren58 OP
667 posts
 
Erik,
 Not all myths are opinions nor should one shirk from justifying one's beliefs by playing the relativity card. That said, specifically I like my speakers to separate the instruments with detail. I enloy the element of surprise. I know recording and sources do much of this, but some speakers seem lazy and smear the sound. Also just seeing if there are any reinforcing opinions or contrary thoughts about front ports. And asking for a modest suggestion for a third non-rear port speaker. Wharefedale 225 has a bottom porting system.  Considering those also. My garage systems are about learning different amp presentations and different mid-level stand mounters. Eclectic music, no particular genre. Classical piano one week, Radio Paradise the next. I don't think my giant garage lends itself to rear ports and since I listen so close to the speakers the front ports will connect the bass to my ears without time for it to disperse improperly. Obviously I have no clue about bass dispersion. Hence my thread.  Joe


 
larryi
3,969 posts
 
There are many different designs that have been successfully implemented, while all design types have less successful examples.  I am somewhat skeptical of any categorical judgment, such as Magico's claim than ANY ported design is defective.  Basically, they argue that people liking the fuller sound of ported speakers have been brainwashed by familiarity to liking something they shouldn't like.  

My own speakers are, front ported, but, not in the conventional sense.  The "ports" are long slits along both the left and right sides of the front baffle (Jensen-Onken design).  I like the sound, but, I've heard very nice sound from all sorts of other designs.  
wormtosser
13 posts
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Paradigm-Studio-10-v5-pair-in-cherry-w-original-box-nice-used-condition/283...

Not this pair, and certainly not on eBay but in your price range.  They're small, so convenient for near field, and IMHO possess a detailed sound that may happily surprise.  I own a pair precisely for the reasons you mention, rear porting doesn't  work in my WAF-assigned placement options.  I thoroughly enjoy them.  If you find them not your cup of tea, an easy re-sell, I think.  
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