Would you get use out of having 4 front USB rather than just the two that are currently there? As small as the case is, it's not really that much trouble to get at the rear ports.
I think enough people use front audio that's it's worthwhile to keep them.
I think it boils down to personal preference with the front audio-less panel having some utility for those that are trying to use the 3rd expansion slot for a sound card, vs having jacks that are never used on the front. I agree that a good amount of people probably use them, but I would bet a not-insignificant number wouldn't use them, either.
For instance, it might be prudent to have a 4 USB option on the kickstarter, or a version with FireWire/Thunderbolt.
How viable is it to have some flexibility on the front panel in terms of connectivity options? Would it be more hassle than it's worth? For myself, it would probably be worth it to get a $5-10 option if it was available.