Merits of bipole/dipole vs. standard sides in 7.1
About ready to place my speakers in a 7.1 setup in a newly finished basement's family room. I purchased and had planned to use a pair of Polk FXi5s for the sides (RT55i for front L/R, CS400i center, RT15i rear, HSU sub, NAD T775 receiver).
As it turns out, the FXi5 bipole/dipole speakers, with their triangular shape, are not going to be so easy to place and, where I need one of them to be (right next to a fireplace mantle), it's not going to look so great (I have the RT15i rears mounted up high, inside the ceiling soffit, on the side facing the room, and hidden with a custom grille).
All that said, I am willing to compromise some aesthetics for performance, but I am curious on the general benefits of bipole/dipole for the sides, versus a more standard speaker I could make less obtrusive or even hide inside the wall? I know, it depends on so many things, but any general thoughts appreciated. Thanks!