A question about front-ported speakers

I have personally had both front ported and acoustic suspension designed large speakers. BOTH have sounded much better out into the room.

I don't know your room size, but you might reconsider "getting far away" from your speakers.

Richard

There are speakers designed for placement against the wall - Audio Note, older Linn, etc

Paradigm make some good in walls too - so consider these.

Trying to read between the lines here...

In my experience I have found that you can get a front ported speaker closer to the walls then a rear ported speaker.

That said, YMMV = no substitute for trying it in your space.

Keep in mind that in many cases a rear port design is used to add bass - closer to the wall will add more.

Acoustic suspension speakers are great but also placement sensitive and are generally power hogs.

If you haven't done so I would suggest you check out the Cardas site for his comments on how to place speakers. There are also some good threads here and on Asylum on the topic. Generally you will see that your position relative to the speakers is also important, and that your position relative to the wall behind you will also have a major impact.

Few things in this hobby require as much trial and error as optimizing speaker placement.

Why I like bottom porting, designer knows distance to floor and can design for it, front and rear port its up to user to hopefully find best placement.