Oz, I think speakers with front ports are a little less placement sensitive than rear ported ones. I have some Energy C2s with front ports that I have used on bookshelves and stands with little difference in sound. Of course it has been years since I've done any critical listening to these guys (currently being used as my rears), but they seem very room friendly.

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"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose