As one responder wrote, they should image better due to a narrower front baffle. That said, the speakers I've used with side-firing woofers have been a bit problematic in the bass in my rooms when speakers with front-firing woofers have worked better. And I'm speaking of the VMPS RM30's, which were less problematic than the Audio Physic Virgo II's I had in a smaller room. Both of those have side firing woofers but the Virgo Woofers are crossed at around 600Hz (fairly high), and the VMPS around 250Hz (worked better).
Speakers with down-firing woofers have worked well for me. My NSR's have a down-firing woofer, while all my others are now front-firing, including a pair of VMPS RM2's. The dipole Maggies fire both ways but also seem to work well for me.
Speakers with down-firing woofers have worked well for me. My NSR's have a down-firing woofer, while all my others are now front-firing, including a pair of VMPS RM2's. The dipole Maggies fire both ways but also seem to work well for me.