Bookshelf Speakers; Ported vs. Acoustic Suspension

For the same size cabinet, Bass reflex has output to a lower frequency but its frequency response is less linear. In other words, bass reflex has a peak near its roll-off frequency and a dip above that. So, if you are going to have a suboofer, you will have an easier time combining with an acoustic suspension speaker, for flatter bass response. But, actually, mids and highs are so much more important to get right, that really the choice of speaker should really more depend on how its sounds to you, overall, with your room, your taste, and your equipment, so I don't think anyone can really advise you without your own personal audition and comparison. Taking anyone's advise about type, technology, brand, or even model make it a total gamble for your ultimate satisfaction.

Adding a sub changes things. On the one hand, sealed box satellites might do some things better, but most subs don't work very well when asked to go much beyond the bottom octave, so ported satellites might work better in that regard. I suggest you consider and try both, and decide what you like best, regardless of whether or not the satellites are sealed or ported. Besides, there aren't that many that are designed to work so close to a wall to begin with.

Thanks all, seems like the best approach is finish the house and try both sealed and ported. It would appear that the sealed options would work better but I will experiment once I can.

Rjm0925..I already mentioned on another thread about the remarkable "CLUE" bookshelf speaker from Sjofn HiFi in Seattle. Its a ported speaker and the port is in the front and not the rear so you can put the speaker against the wall. For its size, it produces very powerful room filling bass typical of a large floor stander. Believe me, this little puppy will shake your room with outstanding bass performance since it plays all the way down to 28 hertz and rolls off much lower so its perfect for Home Theater as well. The speaker is 14" inches high, 8" wide, and 10.5" inches deep. Stereophile gives it a 10/10 rating.

Active is the best way to get bass out of small speakers.