Non-rear ported Speakers

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


 

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.  

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.  

I have a pair of original Snell Js and a pair of Genesis 11s- both front ported.Sound great.

A vote here for front ports. Rear ports need too much wall setback. And full enclosures, even with 22Hz bass, just sound boxy. Again, your results may vary, but those are mine.