I use a shallow classic bend bar - Easton EC90 Equipe "pro" (smooth curve not the ergo). They have a perfect, smooth transition to the Sram hoods (mine are ~2010 version if that makes a difference). I haven't tried them with my other classic bend bars (Deda 215 "italian") which, while being "classic", have a significantly different bend than the Eastons.
I've found my Shimano hoods in much greater need of an ergo or compact type bar to get the transition correct.
Now, there's the other issue of reach and drop - which might be what people are getting at. I happen to like a shallow and short bar, but the bend is classic, not "compact". You can get short reach and/or shallow drop in any type of bend.