good sounding low price speaker w/ front bass port

sorry for lack of information i really do not want to spend more than $500 for the speakers. It is basically to play digital files when i am in the basement working out. I have a small area set aside so i want a front ported speaker to put the speakers close to the wall. i also figured on monitors so i could be more flexible in placement than with towers. hope this helps

Not sure on the port configuration, or if it's a sealed design, but I have heard the Silverline Audio Minuet placed near a wall on furniture (as opposed to a stand), and they sounded fantastic, IMHO. $600 list the pair, but often sold here for less.

Try Rega R1's (I have R3's that I love - extremely open, full, and natural). They are front ported and the Decco should drive them no problem. I like and own the Ushers but they would not be as easy to drive.

I plan to give one of the Peachtree hybrid integrateds with DAC consideration for use in my second two channel A/V system with the Triangle Titus 202s + M&K sub when the time comes to replace my current 70's vintage Yamaha receiver that I currently use to wonderful effect there. It has an awesome phono section that will be costly to replace and sounds absolutely fabulous with the Triangles overall.

"i really do not want to spend more than $500 for the speakers"

There are many excellent front ported speakers available in this price range right now:

Wharfedale Diamond 9.2 - discontinued but available from Internet dealers for under $300 new, or much less used, great all-rounder

Usher S-520 - $479/pr. new, good for rock

B&W 685 - $650/pr. new, another alternative could be a used pair of old English built B&W 601's or 602's, preferably S2 or S3 designation, for much much less than $500 used

PSB Image B15 - $379 new, another good all rounder

Paradigm Titan v.5 - under $400 new from Internet dealers, almost full range

Monitor Audio Bronze BR2 - $450 new, sound expensive

Epos ELS3 - $399 new, not front ported but sound really, really good.

These are all very competent speakers and I think would pair well with the Decco for near wall placement. Many of these are the larger version of the companies' bookshelf speakers because it is difficult to squeeze a port on the face of a smaller speaker. While these larger "bookshelf" speakers will be more efficient, most of these boxes are pretty deep - something to consider if attempting to actually place on any bookshelf less than 12" deep. If space is a serious issue, I might recommend the Epos ELS3 or the Paradigm Atom Monitor in place of the company's Titan.

Good luck.