Frank, side by side can be effective and also looks good, I used to have, about a week ago a triple side by side arrangement, and I have to admit it worked fine.
The only issue with this set arrangement is that you have to get balance from three different points, and that can be a bit tricky.
However if you can do this than there is no difference at all.
This is my new set up compared to the one, one a week ago
, both work equally as well as the other.
Leon