B&W 683S2 for entery level speakers

I was concerned about rear ports as well. My speakers are ten inches off the front wall and that puts the drivers and port two feet off the front wall. If you are concerned the Klipsch would need a sub in your room, I think the other choices would need one as well.

One option that might give you the bass your looking for and is front ported is the PSB X2T. It's getting excellent reviews. If it would have been accessible to me I would have tried to audition it.

I listened to a few more speakers, one other option that caught my ear! was the Martin Logan motion 40, they are a bit more expensive than the B&W's but the cabinet build felt better and they also sounded a bit more clear when playing busy rock tracks with vocals. 

does anyone have these ? 

The MLs look like they'rear ported.  Weren't you trying to avoid that?

true, but they sounded good so I may be able to place them about a ft. from the wall and add a sub 

After listening to alternatives including ML and Sonus Faber I went with the B&W's. they sounded the best in this range IMO. thanks everyone