I think you have the right idea. The problem with the bends in the pipe is when a bend comes
before the MAF. The air tends to go to one side of the MAF because of the differences in air velocities around the two different radius's of the bend....(orrr...some...thing...like.. that
)
If you are running a straight shot into the MAF with a K&N cone filter like you said, then you shouldn't have to worry about any potential losses contributed to bends in the intake system.