Speakers for Simaudio Neo 250i

Nice amp you got.

Normally I am reluctant to recommend a speaker but since your limited to front ported models only, and there aren't as many out there to choose from, this one is easy...

Sonus Faber Venere 2.0

It's front ported, within your budget and sounds absolutely remarkable. Hope this helps.

I'm using Nola Boxers with a Simaudio I-5 LE and am extremely happy with the sound, great bass. They're rear-ported and about 14" out from the wall. I haven't needed to do this but expect you could tune the bass with a foam plug in the port if you thought that were necessary. They're $1500 new and there's a pair of the upgraded S1 version listed on audiogon now for $1300.

Sfar, is the another speaker you know of that sounds like the boxer? An apt comparison?

Schubert - Over the last ten or 15 years I've owned quite a few speakers, Thiel, Proac (two pair), Soliloquy, Merlin and Devore (two pair) and never found any brand that sounded like any of the others with either tube or SS amps.

They all have different strengths and what you'd prefer would depend on your other gear, your taste in music and your hearing.

Of course, that's not a very big sample but if I had to buy again to replace the Boxers I'd go first for Devore, then Proac but wouldn't again buy Merlin or Thiel.

Thanks Star, it was Merlin I was most interested in so that helps.
FWIW, Focal and Triangle sound close to me.