The 180 disobeys some common held loudspeaker design "rules." I think the 160 is a more traditional and theoretically more behaved layout. It's definitely widely adopted, so all else is distrusted.
People question the 180 because this design contradicts what is "supposed" to be optimal with regards to lobing and comb filter effects. Many designers are on record saying a layout such as the 160 is the least compromise for a horizontal center. Theoretically, of course. I honestly think the 180 was born that way was to sneak another tweeter onboard to increase power handling, while keeping them seperated enough that comb filtering frequencies would be out of their passband.
Your cables and matched lifters are what will truly decide of course!
(kidding, totally kidding
.)
Buy the 160 and report back! It is cheaper.
