I think you'll be just fine with compromised speakers for news and background listening. Parties too if you inebriate your guests so they can't perceive the notch at 1500Hz due to the tweeter interfering with the midrange. They'll also be too tipsy by the valley between 3 and 5 KHz due to the tweeter being behind the mounting plane.

House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Linearity and mid-woofers are over-rated