Subwoofer's Front Firing vs. Down Firing


What are the benefits of a front-firing sub-woofer (if any) vs. a down-firing? Some have suggested that a front-firing sub may be easier and more flexible in it's room placement. Has this been your experience?
stickman451
"The level of integration is the key to succes in integration!"-Bo

Very insightful. Thank you wise man.
Bo's thoughts on woofer "speed" are based on some odd personally promoted mythology and not on actual sound or even a basic understanding of how speakers work. Otherwise he's right on!
Hey Bo1972 there are a couple of Audioquest questions in the cables section.
"While others may attempt to help others and offers their experiences as lessons, Bo knows to keep hawking."

Bo is most, blatant but most posts by people in hte "business" here are some mix of these two things, call them what you will.

My understanding is sub woofer speed and accuracy has mostly to do with damping factor, just like with woofers, but perhaps to an even greater extent.

Cone material can make a difference as well, but proper damping in any case is probably the key.

I have seen at least one well regarded sub maker pitch their proprietary application of what seems to be basic negative feedback applied in the sub's built in amplifier as well.

These few things along of course with overall build quality and design probably would account for a lot of subwoofer characteristics typically described as "speed" I suspect.