Subwoofers - Front Firing or Down Firing - Which Sounds Best?

I have had two rear firing subs placed between my speakers for years.  As I started more critical listening, I noticed dips.  I purchased corner bass traps.  This really evened out the response.  Then I talked to GIK and have purchased bass traps which go on the front wall at floor level.  The subs will fire bass into these traps first.  Panels are about 16 inches away from the ports of the subs  I was assured that this will only improve the bass not reduce it.  Actually the first reflection panels and rear diffusion panels are also listed as bass traps as well as higher frequencies.  I will be interested to see my outcome.  They arrive in mid June.  COVID has helped GIK with orders!

Syzygy subs, fires front or down, your choice, control from your seat, and EQ. Sealed and fast. 

i found that the direction the driver aims has an impact on the quality of the bass.  front facing subs, in my room, projected and distributed the impactful, tight bass out into the listening area the best.  
some people even adjust the angle of the axis to get the best results. 

Here you go:

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/4120/Me___HQD.jpg

Get yourself a couple of Hartley 24" subs and you will have all the bass you need, I would guess...

Cheers!

(Full disclosure:  We made some cabs for these back in the day..not the ones in the pics.  Ours were about 5.5' high and weighed in about about 200 lbs each...they were tanks!)

I like the design of the REL subwoofers.  Rythmik would also be another option.  However, no dealers carry them to listen to them.