A port NEVER belongs in the front. Porting in the rear is okay, but porting introduces a whole new set of problems. That isn't to say rear porting is a bad thing. Like everything else, it just has to be done well.
There are indeed a lot of high end speakers that front port. Many of those companies I wouldn't consider high end. It's not about price. Many people mock Bose (with good reason) but don't mock companies that use front porting.
Many of those high end speakers charge way too much for the product they deliver.
It's a personal thing. There are people who like the way distortion and port noise sound and associate it with bass. There's a difference between accuracy and precision.
I like accuracy, whether I like what is coming out is a different beast.
I don't what the post to turn into a huge flame war. I'm just posting facts. If you want bang for the buck--check out M&K speakers. (
www.mksound.com ) most major studios use M&K. I bought a 750 system minus the sub. I went with definitive technology's SuperCube I for the sub; however my dealer is willing to refund my SuperCube 100% towards credit towards an M&K 350 subwoofer. I'm very tempted to do it. It's just that I've spent a lot of money on audio equipment as it where already.
I guess what I'm saying is that for the price of Bose or Paradigm you can get M&K and the sound will be true as mixed (assuming the room is good). I have a bias. I've mentioned it--accuracy. I also like to support the local economy (there located 8 miles from my house in the porn capital of the world Chatsworth CA).