[playntheblues]

I am looking for some sealed or front ported speakers with the controls (on/off switch and volume) on the front of the speakers.  I have a pair of M-Audio BX8a's that are great speakers but they are rear ported and I have them almost against the wall and all of the controls are on the back soooooooooooo I am looking to replace them.  Where is the sweet spot, meaning where you get the most performance for your dollar before you get into diminishing returns?
Kind Regards,
Guy

[srb]

If you don't mind individual volume controls on each speaker (like your M-Audio BX8A), I'll recommend the Yamaha MSP3 for $300/pair.  I think they sound very good.
 
Steve
 

[playntheblues]

Thanks Steve I will look into those.

[srb]

Guy,
 
Sorry, I just realized they don't meet all of your criteria.  The power switches are on the rear.
 
Steve

[2gumby2]

I bought some Creative Labs Gigaworks T20 speakers about three weeks ago and I think they're pretty good. Ported at the top with controls on the front.

[JP78]

Audioengine A5's or A2's...absolutely stunning. In fact, I'd say they would put some much more expensive speakers to shame. For good reason they've won dozens of awards.

[srb]

Audioengine A5's or A2's...absolutely stunning. In fact, I'd say they would put some much more expensive speakers to shame. For good reason they've won dozens of awards.

Audioengine A2's have the volume control on the rear, and the A2's and A5's are both rear ported.
 
Steve

[playntheblues]

bummer on the Audioengine's they sounded like great speakers.  I think I could give up the requirements for the volume control to be on the front and just use the computers volume, however they can't be rear ported.

[playntheblues]

It looks like the A2's are front porter 

[srb]

It looks like the A2's are front porter 

Yep, you're right.  Although the A5's are rear ported, the A2's have a small slot port on the front.  Using the same tweeter as the A5 it has the same high end, but you do give up some bass with the 2.75" woofer, compared to the A5 (5"), the Yamaha MSP3 (4") or the M-Audio BX8A (8").

I purchased a pair of the Audioengine A2 for a friend's son going to his first year of college.  I didn't get a good look at them, as I had them shipped to him direct.  But I made my choice on the basis of being super small for dorm room use as well as the lower price.

If you are also thinking of giving up the front volume control, have you tried stuffing the ports of the M-Audio BX8A with some rolled up foam, or are you also looking for something smaller as well?
 
Steve

[playntheblues]

You know I didn't even think of stuffing the port.  How much bass would you guess you would loose after stuffing the ports? 

[srb]

I have a few sets of speakers with stuffed rear ports.  The bass does decrease, but it also eliminates boominess, so even though you have less lower frequency response, it's often more defined and enjoyable.  My guess is that your 8" woofers with stuffed port will at least equal the bass of the Audioengine 5" and the Yamaha 4", and without a doubt, the Audioengine 2.75".
 
Give it a try.  I usually use a strip of 3/8" - 3/4" foam rolled up, but most anything would work, including "stuffing a sock in it".  Some people use a bundle of soda straws (which has the effect of reducing the port diameter) and try to tune the port with the length of the straws , but in your case, stuffing the port to change the alignment to mostly sealed is probably what you want.
 
Steve

[Chromisdesigns]

Have you looked at Nuforce?  They are just in the process of switching over to a new generation of their Icon amps and S-series speakers.  They have a few of the current model Icon and S-1 setups left.  Just got a pair of S-1s and the Icon amp for $404 delivered from them, and am really pleased with the sound.  The low bass isn't there, but everything else is very sweet and clear, and the on-board DAC in the Icon amp sounds pretty good, too, running it as a front end to my main system.

I added a used M&K VX-7 subwoofer I picked up on eBay for $60 to fill in the lower octave.  Now it really rocks!